Normandy

Hi Beowulf, I did some research over the weekend. FYI, to my knowledge thw World War II ADT is the only organization doing T-10 static line jumping outside of the military. If you or anyone learns of anyone else who does T-10 static line jumping, I would welcome hearing about it. Many thanks.

Hi Chuck, Thanks for the help on that one.

Thanks John, I really appreciate that. "On Wings Of Eagles" to you. Take care.

Hi Quade, I was about to reply something to the effect of it's not about the numbers. But, then I saw on your profile that you have over 1500 jumps. Feeling especially humbled, I will fill out my profile for you later. My only interest is Military and I am only a beginner. In the meantime, please accept my sincerest respect. Many thanks.

Hi Beowulf, Re the picture on the WWII ADT web site of the PLF stand please let me explain. PLF (personal landing fall) practice, I hope you will agree is essential, esspecially if you are a beginner and especially if you are going to be jumping eventually with equipment. The PLF stand that you saw a picture of may appear basic but it works. The proof is in the final result: trained jumpers that know how to land safely. The title, "The Pit of Woe"? Well, no one likes endless PLF practice especially when it gets hot, so it was meant to be tongue and cheek. The PLF stand that you saw gets the job done, and that's what counts. I really appreciate your comments, and if the WWII ADT is something that you might be interested in participating in, I hope that you'll look into it further. Many thanks.

Hi Quade, Nothing you said was offensive, and I apologize if my reply made it seem like it was. I'll try to be more specific. Training: The training is open to anyone, first time or professional jumpers. As you know, military shutes are different from civillian shutes, and demo jumps are done with equipment. The training is designed so that first timer or experienced jumper can adapt the necessary methods and safety precautions specific to this type of jumping. The Purpose Of The ADT Itself: Please understand that the organization is still growing and still taking shape. But, the purpose is what I said before: to memorialize and educate the public about those paratroopers who during WWII sacrificed themselves to help preserve American, and I would argue world, freedom. The ADT is a "living history" organization. So far it has appeared at air shows and some veterans reunions. Next year it has been invited to perform a memorial jump over Normandy for the 60th anniversary of D-Day. (My personal hope is that the ADT might be invited to participate in the opening of the WWII monument next year in Washington D.C.) As the organization expands and appears at a broader scope of events, the purpose will still be to display to the public what being a paratrooper was actually about during WWII, the types of equipment used, the challenges that they faced, etc. Perhaps the photos on the web site don't indicate this very well, but again, the ADT is still growing and with more events I think that you may see photos that will give you a deeper sense of how the ADT's mission is being carried out. Re-enactment Groups: You sound like a serious person and so am I. In my comments yesterday I tried to make sure that I did not offend any possible military re-enactors out there. But, the ADT are parachutists first and foremost. Parachuting is essential to the ADT's overall program to demonstrate to the public what the Airborne during WWII was all about. (Without actually jumping, I'm sure you'll agree that the ADT's outreach to the public wouldn't have as much of an effect.) Speaking strictly for myself--and I am sure that many re-enactors will agree with me on this point--the problem that I do find with some re-enactors is that they either have not been properly trained in the skills that they are supposed to be demonstrating to the public or they simply do not physically look the part. I saw one web site for one re-enactment group (thankfully they were wearing foreign military uniforms) where the members were so physically out of shape that any possibility of authenticity was lost. That to me is a disgrace to the people that actually had to serve in those uniforms and it demonstrates nothing realistic or memorable to the public. It is tantamount to "playing army." That's not what the ADT is all about (hence my comments yesterday about still being able to exceed the physical requirements for a current paratrooper.) I hope that I eliminated some confusion for you, and I know that the ADT would welcome your participation. Many thanks.

Hi Lou, I'm sorry that I couldn't reply last night. Please contact the ADT at 918-426-5328 or 918-424-4673. Please ask for 1st Sgt. Wolf. You can also e-mail him at ww2adt@intellex.com. I'm sure that he would welcome hearing from you. Also, please check out the American Military Parachute Association web site at www.ampa.ws. You cand find out more about the ADT (www.wwiiadt.com) there. Many thanks.

Hi Quade, I guess I opened up a can of worms when I said that the ADT are not re-enactors. First, as for the training, please let me point out that a fair number of the ADT are prior miliary service jumpers or trained certified civillian jumpers. The training cadre are comprised former Special Forces, etc., and they take jumping seriously. The program that they have put together is according to the Ft. Benning Military Jump School Program, Columbus, GA, minus the details that have nothing to do with jumping. That's why the ADT program is only a week. Ft. Benning's is three. As for the point about re-enactors, I am a vet. I take a lot of pride in the uniform that I wore and the commitment that I made--and I can still exceed Fort Benning's PT standards for a paratrooper. For myself personally, I would have trouble belonging to a re-enacting group, because the one thing that seperates re-enactments from the real deal is that in the real deal some people don't come home. I'm glad that there are living history groups active today and I think that they can provide a valuable service in educating the public about our past. Some groups just wouldn't be my cup of tea. But, I encourage you to read or rent the video for Band Of Brothers. I can only hope that you would conclude that these young men deserve to be memorialized and remembered in the way that the ADT is attempting to do. Every jump the ADT makes, every person that an ADT member talks to at an event is an opportunity to educate the public about the sacrifices made by others in the past for us here today. Many thanks for hearing me out.

Hi. Thanks very much for replying. Olive drab fatigues or BDU's would run about $50-60. Boots, $35-50. An M-1 helmet with liner, $20. Most if not all of this material can be purchased at a local surplus store on the web. Good sources include: www.uscav.com www.brigadequartermasters.com www.rangerjoes.com Out of respect for the current military, no camoflage is permitted please. Just olive drab. If you want to boot up to the actual WWII uniform, the cost can run anywhere from $250 to $400 depending on the supplier. Sources include: www.atthefront.com www.wwiiimpressions.com www.whatpriceglory.com The WWII uniforms are required for events. The OD fatigues are sufficient for training. I have received a number of e-mails saying that my posting was considered "advertising." Please note that the WWII ADT is a non-profit organization and truly is dedicated to serving veterans and educating the public about the role, state, and status of paratroopers during WWII. This is why the ADT emphasizes that it is not a re-enactment group. Many thanks for your interest. Note that the group has been envited to do a memorial jump over Normandy, next June 6. Please watch the ADT web site for more details.

August 2-10, McAlester/Lawton, Oklahoma: World War II Airborne Demonstration Team August Jump School. 50 hours PLF and military-style static line jump training followed by five jumps from an original C-47 used during the Normandy invasion. Program cost is $750 which includes meals and housing. Olive Drab (No camoflage) U.S. Military fatigues, boots, and helmet required for training. WWII uniform required for event participation. We are not WWII re-enactors. Through jump demonstrations and public awareness events, the WWII ADT honors and serves the memory of American Paratroopers who sacrificed their lives to help preserve American freedom during WWII. Please call 918-426-5328 or e-mail ww2adt@intellex.com. Web site: www.wwiiadt.com. Many thanks. Sincerely, Normandy

Hi All, I've joined this chat room because I want to be able to talk with other chutists and I am also trying to raise awareness for a training session that is coming up in August for the World War II Airborne Demonstration Team. Please see my announcemnt under the "Events And Gatherings" Forum. We need able participants. No prior jump experience is required. Thanks for the opportunity to be here and be heard. Sincerely, Normandy

August 2-10, McAlester/Lawton, Oklahoma: World War II Airborne Demonstration Team August Jump School. 50 hours PLF and military-style static line jump training followed by five jumps from an original C-47 used during the Normandy invasion. Program cost is $750 which includes meals and housing. We are not WWII re-enactors. Through jump demonstrations and public awareness events, the WWII ADT honors and serves the memory of American Paratroopers who sacrificed their lives to help preserve American freedom during WWII. Please call Richard Wolf at 918-426-5328 or e-mail ww2adt@intellex.com. Web site: www.wwiiadt.com.