Pete Townsend, ACE on LinkedIn: Jumper at the door with a green light! (2024)

Being a U.S. Army paratrooper is one of the most demanding and challenging roles in the military, requiring not only physical strength and endurance but also mental toughness and unwavering courage. Paratroopers undergo some of the most intensive training in the military. The U.S. Army Airborne School, commonly known as "Jump School," is a three-week course where soldiers are trained to parachute from aircraft. This training includes ground week, tower week, and jump week, each phase designed to push soldiers to their physical and mental limits, ensuring they are ready for the challenges of airborne operations.The physical demands on paratroopers are immense. They must maintain peak physical fitness to endure the stresses of jumping from planes, often with heavy equipment. Paratroopers frequently engage in strenuous activities such as running, weight lifting, and calisthenics to keep their bodies in top condition. The impact of landing and the subsequent missions often take a toll on their bodies, leading to injuries and long-term physical wear and tear.Jumping out of an aircraft from hundreds of feet above the ground requires incredible mental fortitude. Paratroopers must conquer their fears and remain focused in high-pressure situations. The psychological stress of airborne operations, combined with the uncertainty of missions and the ever-present danger, demands exceptional mental resilience.Paratroopers are often deployed in some of the most hazardous environments and situations. Their missions can involve rapid deployments behind enemy lines, where they must navigate hostile territory, gather intelligence, and engage in combat. The unpredictable nature of these missions adds another layer of difficulty, requiring quick thinking and adaptability.Paratroopers operate in tightly-knit units where teamwork and trust are paramount. A mission's success often hinges on paratroopers' ability to work seamlessly together, relying on each other’s skills and judgment. Building and maintaining this level of cohesion under stressful conditions is a significant challenge.The life of a paratrooper also involves considerable personal sacrifice. Long deployments, time away from family, and the constant risk of injury or death are part of the job. Despite these challenges, paratroopers continue to serve with dedication and bravery, exemplifying the best of what the military has to offer. 🌟

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Being a U.S. Army paratrooper is one of the most demanding and challenging roles in the military, requiring not only physical strength and endurance but also mental toughness and unwavering courage. Paratroopers undergo some of the most intensive training in the military. The U.S. Army Airborne School, commonly known as "Jump School," is a three-week course where soldiers are trained to parachute from aircraft. This training includes ground week, tower week, and jump week, each phase designed to push soldiers to their physical and mental limits, ensuring they are ready for the challenges of airborne operations.The physical demands on paratroopers are immense. They must maintain peak physical fitness to endure the stresses of jumping from planes, often with heavy equipment. Paratroopers frequently engage in strenuous activities such as running, weight lifting, and calisthenics to keep their bodies in top condition. The impact of landing and the subsequent missions often take a toll on their bodies, leading to injuries and long-term physical wear and tear.Jumping out of an aircraft from thousands of feet above the ground requires incredible mental fortitude. Paratroopers must conquer their fears and remain focused in high-pressure situations. The psychological stress of airborne operations, combined with the uncertainty of missions and the ever-present danger, demands exceptional mental resilience.Paratroopers are often deployed in some of the most hazardous environments and situations. Their missions can involve rapid deployments behind enemy lines, where they must navigate hostile territory, gather intelligence, and engage in combat. The unpredictable nature of these missions adds another layer of difficulty, requiring quick thinking and adaptability.Paratroopers operate in tightly-knit units where teamwork and trust are paramount. A mission's success often hinges on paratroopers' ability to work seamlessly together, relying on each other’s skills and judgment. Building and maintaining this level of cohesion under stressful conditions is a significant challenge.The life of a paratrooper also involves considerable personal sacrifice. Long deployments, time away from family, and the constant risk of injury or death are part of the job. Despite these challenges, paratroopers continue to serve with dedication and bravery, exemplifying the best of what the military has to offer. 🌟

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History of Flight – 2001, the AugustaWestland AH MK 1 'Apache', the British-built (under licence) version of the renown Boeing 'Apache' attack helicopter updated for the 21st century.Today’s post in my personal weekly history of flying aircraft (that I have photographed) is the 2001, AugustaWestland AH MK 1 'Apache', the British-built (under licence) version of the renown Boeing 'Apache' attack helicopter.One often thinks of helicopters as transport vehicles, or search and rescue craft.It is only when one sees an aircraft like the Apache which is simply bristling with weaponry that you can take on board that a helicopter, not the fastest of aeroplanes can be a highly effective killing machine and weapon of war.Flown by the British Army Air Corps, these British built machines have Rolls Royce engines (Turbomeca RTM322), electronic defences and uniquely a folding blade mechanism allowing the helicopters to be used, flown and stored on board Royal Navy warships.Some 68 have been built, 8 by Boeing, the remainder in the UK.Interestingly the American version of the Apache has been plagued by reliability issues, tail rotor failures, radar issues, so the British programme for the machine very nearly did not happen. However British modifications, although problematic, overcame all the American experienced issues and the Augusta Apache has been in service for many years and has performed excellently particularly in Afghanistan and Libya.They are expected to be retired from service sometime during the next few years.#aviation #aircraft #history #businessPhotos: ©2023 Pete JenkinsHistory of Flight – 2001, the AugustaWestland AH MK 1 'Apache'

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"One way to understand the nature of the effort to craft a tiltrotor enterprise is to envisage the timeline through which various phases of development of concepts of operations in the use of the aircraft have unfolded for the USMC and how then the coming of the Navy and anticipation of the Army tiltrotor variants represent the next steps. I will suggest such a timeline in my next article".#defense and aerospace #V-22

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The result of a rapid collaborative technology investment effort involving the U.S. Army, BAE Systems, and KONGSBERG/Patria, the prototype demonstrates potential variant growth for the highly adaptable AMPV family of vehicles. By using a fielded and fully qualified asset like the AMPV chassis, it gives the Army options to field combat capabilities—such as the Patria NEMO—to Soldiers who need them at a much faster pace and reduced cost.#defenceindustry #defensetechnology #defence #tanks #soldier #soldiers #vehicles #vehicletechnology

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𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲: 𝗨𝗦 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝘆 𝗔𝘃𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀The U.S. Army is undergoing a significant transformation in its aviation force structure, shifting away from standardized Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) designs towards tailored formations aligned with specific divisions. Maj. Gen. Mac McCurry, the Army’s Aviation Center of Excellence commander, outlined this strategic transition during the Army Aviation Association of America’s annual summit in Denver.In response to evolving strategic priorities, the Army is reallocating resources such as UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopters to meet the unique mobility needs of different divisions. Additionally, plans to enhance air assault capabilities, like adding CH-47F Chinook cargo helicopters to support the 101st Airborne Division, highlight the Army's commitment to operational flexibility.These adjustments reflect the Army's proactive approach in preparing for future challenges beyond past counterinsurgency missions. By recalibrating its aviation force structure, the Army positions itself for readiness in confronting modern warfare scenarios against technologically advanced adversaries. This strategic evolution demonstrates the Army's commitment to remaining agile and effective in an ever-changing operational environment.As part of a broader initiative within the Army, this restructuring effort aims to adapt its overall structure to meet the demands of contemporary warfare. As the military landscape evolves, these changes ensure that the Army remains agile and responsive, capable of addressing emerging threats with precision and effectiveness. By aligning aviation assets with divisional needs and redefining operational priorities, the Army is positioning itself for success in the dynamic and complex challenges of the future battlefield.Photo by: Staff Sgt. Todd Pouliot/40th Public Affairs Detachment

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National Airborne Day, celebrated annually on August 16th, honors the military’s airborne divisions of the United States Armed Forces. On August 16th, 1940, the first official Army parachute jump occurred at Ft. Benning, Georgia. This historic jump validated an innovative concept – the strategic deployment of the nation’s ground combat forces via parachute, positioning them behind battle lines.Amid the US Army’s dynamic aerial operations over the years, military optronics surveillance & sighting systems have emerged as crucial assets, contributing to heightened situational awareness and precision during operations. These sophisticated systems offer real-time visual insights, facilitating target identification, tracking, and intelligence gathering. Moreover, their integration also equips military personnel with essential tools, enabling swift, accurate decision-making.As per Inkwood Research, the global military optronics surveillance & sighting systems market was valued at $𝟏𝟓.𝟕𝟒 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏 and is projected to reach $𝟐𝟓.𝟓𝟏 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟑𝟎, growing at a 𝐂𝐀𝐆𝐑 𝐨𝐟 𝟓.𝟓𝟖% during the forecast period, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟐-𝟐𝟎𝟑𝟎.A key trend witnessed in the global market entails rapid advancements to provide better standards for soldiers’ security and safety in combat operations.This, in turn, has led to the development of advanced combat protective equipment, including lightweight and fireproof body armor and combat helmets compatible with night vision goggles (NVG), communication systems, and body armor.Need more information about the upcoming trends in the global military optronics surveillance & sighting systems market?Head over to our in-depth report summary and request a free sample here: https://lnkd.in/d6ujzHJM...IAI - Israel Aerospace Industries L3Harris Technologies Lockheed Martin Northrop Grumman#airborneday #militaryoptronics #surveillance #airborne #parachutejump #aerospaceanddefence #defence #globalinsights #inkwoodresearch

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This is a significant change in the US Army Aviation portfolio. According to The War Zone... Many of these divestments (UH-60V, FARA, Raven, Shadow) are based on lessons learned from Ukraine. I look forward to seeing which capabilities the Army reinvests its resources in.One of the secondary effects of this dramatic change is going to be the opening up of greater opportunities to non-traditional industry partners for the US Army. Think about it, the Army has announced divestment in major platforms, that have been exquisitely design and built by major defense contractors. These are platforms that only major defense contractors can provide. If the US Army really applies the lessons learned from Ukraine and other current conflicts, it will be looking to fill this capability gap with smaller and more attritable COTS platforms. These don't need to be exquisitely built systems designed single-use military applications. They can be sourced from a wide variety of companies. This will not only increase the pool of possible vendors, it will allow greater competition and drive down cost.

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United States Air Force aircrew operating across 20 different rotor, tilt-wing, and fixed-wing aircraft – including but not limited to CV-22 Ospreys, HH-60G Pave Hawks, C-130 Hercules, and C-17 Globemaster IIIs – will receive new body armor carrier systems as part of an effort to update and replace older models. “We are replacing approximately 7,300 current legacy body armor carrier systems and components because they are impacting mission readiness due to their weight and particular design,” said 1st Lt. Diego Martinez, program manager for aviation body armor within the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s human systems division.“This effort is crucial because aircrew often operate in hostile environments where they are in real danger, and having the right body armor on the operator or inside the aircraft can be lifesaving.” The body armor carriers are unique and designed specifically for aircrew. “Aircrew have very different mission sets compared to other Air Force career fields that may require body armor,” Martinez added. “For example, aircrew body armor carrier systems need extraction capabilities in the event they [aircrew] need to be extracted for medical reasons.” One of the benefits of the new carrier systems is that they will weigh less than the legacy systems. “In the past, weight wasn’t looked at as too much of a big item because people thought that body armor is just heavy inherently,” Martinez said. “But there have been lots of recent efforts by manufacturers to develop different types of materials or different designs to specifically reduce weight.” So far, the division has identified two potential replacement systems for aircrew, including the aviation body armor vest and the army aircrew combat equipment. Testing to evaluate operational use and safety of the two systems is scheduled to begin in October 2023 and will conclude by summer of 2024. The selected system(s) will be fielded by individual units between the summer of 2024 and the summer of 2025.#avfoilnews #aviation #airforce

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Another 8 service members losing their life in a V-22 is a tragedy.I was an avionics technician for the CH-46E helicopter that was replaced by the V-22. The Marine Corps has manipulated the accident statistics for the V-22 since at least the late 90's. The plane's development was never driven by a combat need for the Marine Corps; it was driven by the want of Marine generals to be different from the Army.Being in a V-22 squadron was highly sought after by CH-46 maintenance students such as myself because it meant you had no work to do since the planes were always in safety standowns. In the sand storms of the far edges of the Al-Anbar province, Iraq, we could keep 80-100% of our helicopters mission ready at any time. Even after 35 years of development, V-22 squadrons can barely keep 50% of its planes ready to fly in peacetime conditions.The concept of vertical takeoff for troop transport looks great on paper, but the V-22 implementation just doesn't work.Here is the litmus test that I have used for the last 20 years to know whether the V-22 is safe. The presidential helicopter squadrons uses them to transfer everything and everybody except the president. When the president flies on a V-22 replacement for Marine One, then you'll know it's safe to fly on. As long as the Pentagon and White House keeping looking for a Marine One replacement other than the V-22, you'll know it's safe to fly on.

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