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49-536: The JCSE's core competency is communications support to contingency operations. The JCSE is equipped with the latest technologies to meet the DoD's operational requirements. The JCSE is a joint tactical airborne unit that has a rare ability to operate at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels. As a part of their contingency mission, the JCSE's en route, initial entry, or early entry communications capabilities can support up to

98-399: A zip line type assembly which simulates making contact with the ground traveling at speed and in various directions. In many cases, the first use of the 34-foot tower is made at the end of this period of training. To continue to week 2, prospective troopers must pass all jump training tests as well as the standard Army physical fitness test (APFT) in the 17–21 year old range, regardless of

147-399: A 40-personnel joint task force in permissive and non-permissive environments. The JCSE is also equipped and trained to support larger joint task force headquarters as well as two joint special operations task force headquarters for up to 1,500 users. At times, members of the JCSE may be required to rapidly deploy without the rest of their squadron to execute their assigned mission. When JCSE

196-405: A contested communications environment. We know that’s one of the primary challenges—the multi-domain fight and being able to fight through the noise and operate in those contested spaces—so we’ve adjusted our training to focus on that.” The JCSE is made up of both active and reserve components. Currently, the active component is made up of four district units filled with trained experts from across

245-479: A joint staff memorandum and financial investments that allow the Element to rapidly acquire commercial off-the-shelf and government off-the-shelf equipment as well as the newest technologies available to accomplish its mission with 24/7 reach-back capability and access to DoD and commercial networks that can be deployed in hours. Some of the unique equipment the JCSE employs and maintains include, but are not limited to

294-563: A large group of soldiers gathered in the ready-room waiting to be loaded onto the aircraft one chalk at a time. Immediately after landing on the Drop Zone (DZ), the soldiers collect their parachutes and other gear and meet back at the rally point on one side of the DZ, where they wait for a bus to take them back to Lawson Army Airfield to get ready for their next jump. The jump schedule varies greatly based on class dynamics, weather, and aircraft. Graduation

343-531: A position he held until 1969. Initially, STRICOM's assigned missions were to: (a) provide a reserve of general purpose forces for reinforcing the other unified commands, (b) train the general reserve, (c) develop joint doctrine and, (d) plan for and execute contingency operations. Subsequently, STRICOM's missions were expanded to include planning for, and execution of, operations in the Middle East, sub-Sahara Africa, and Southern Asia (MEAFSA). STRICOM took place in

392-447: Is designed to fill the educational void between civilian and military communications capabilities. Every member assigned to a JCSE squadron must go through this university's training for the unit requires that squadron members, regardless of their communications specialty, must be able to do all aspects of communications due to the size and makeup of their teams. The JCSE has a unique modernization program with special authorities based on

441-457: Is normally conducted at 0900 on Friday of Jump Week at the south end of Eubanks Field on the Airborne Walk. However, if there is inclement weather, or other factors delay the scheduled jumps, graduation may be conducted on Fryar Drop Zone following the last jump. Guests and family members are welcome to observe all of the jumps at the DZ, attend the graduation ceremony, and participate in awarding

490-461: The 2nd Infantry Division was directed to conduct tests to develop reference data and operational procedures for air-transported troops. First Lieutenant William T. Ryder volunteered and was made the test platoon's platoon leader, Lieutenant James A. Bassett was designated assistant platoon leader, and forty-eight enlisted men were selected from a pool of 200 volunteers. The platoon moved into tents near Lawson Army Airfield , and an abandoned hangar

539-662: The Basic Airborne Course , which is open to troops from all branches of the United States Department of Defense , Reserve Officer Training Corps , and allied military personnel. In 1940, the War Department approved the formation of a test platoon of Airborne Infantry under the direction and control of the Army's Infantry Board. A test platoon of volunteers was organized from Fort Benning's 29th Infantry Regiment , and

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588-489: The Deployable Joint Command and Control (DJC2) system to Yokota Air Base , Japan within 72 hours of notification to support U.S. Pacific Command 's orchestration of the operation. According to Colonel James Lowery, commander of JCSE, the Element is modernizing to provide better communications capabilities saying in a 2021 interview with SIGNAL Magazine , “We’ve been focusing a lot over the past eight months on

637-546: The U.S. Army Regimental System (USARS). The 1st Bn, 507th PIR was originally organized with six companies: Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), to provide administrative support and conduct the Pathfinder and Jumpmaster Courses; four Line Companies (A, B, C, and D) to conduct the Basic Airborne Course; and Company E, a parachute rigger support company. Company D has since been inactivated. The first week of

686-1058: The United States Army , however the Marine Corps , Navy or Air Force also provide instructors. The reasoning is that because students from four military services attend the training, each service insists that they have at least one representative to ensure quality instruction. The vast majority of students at Airborne School come from the U.S. Army. This includes soldiers assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division , XVIII Airborne Corps , 4th BCT 25th Infantry Division , 173rd Airborne BCT , United States Special Operations Command , and United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command . Marine Recon , ANGLICO , and MARSOC personnel will also attend as part of their pipeline or as advance training. Recent Navy BUD/S graduates, Navy SWCC , Navy EOD , Navy SARC , USAF Combat Controllers , USAF Special Reconnaissance , USAF Pararescuemen and USAF Tactical Air Control Party also attend

735-411: The 34-foot tower in addition to the swing-landing trainer, a suspended harness trainer, and occasionally the 250-foot tower. Soldiers will become familiar with the mock door trainer to simulate mass exit training (how to exit an aircraft in flight). Additionally, prospective troopers are taught the different phases of parachute flight from aircraft exit, through opening shock and chute deployment, then onto

784-612: The Army's Continental Army Command (essentially elements from the Army's Strategic Army Corps (STRAC)) and the Air Force's Composite Air Strike Force (CASF) and Tactical Air Command . In March 1961 Secretary of Defense McNamara ordered the JCS to develop a plan for integrating the Strategic Army Corps (STRAC) and Tactical Air Command into a unified command. The JCS Chairman, the CSA, and

833-497: The Basic Airborne Course is dedicated to teaching prospective troopers how to land properly to minimize the potential for injury and general familiarization with the T-10D and T-11 parachute . The T-10D is a round-shaped parachute and the T-11 is a square-shaped parachute, both using static line extraction with a descent rate of 18–23 ft/sec and 16–20 ft/sec respectively, dependent on

882-602: The CMC argued that development of a "doctrine" for joint Army-Air Force operations would suffice. Secretary McNamara ruled in favor of the proposed new command. United States Strike Command (USSTRICOM) was activated on 1 January 1962 under an Army general. USSTRICOM assumed operational control over the combat-ready forces of TAC and CONARC. In 1965 the United States Atlantic Fleet became STRICOM's naval component command. A year later General Theodore J. Conway took command,

931-559: The CSAF endorsed this idea, provided that the new command eventually included Navy and Marine Corps units. But the CNO objected that the inherent flexibility of naval forces would be sacrificed if assigned to a command tailored to STRAC and TAC. He suggested instead that troop carrier and ground-support aircraft be made organic to the Army or that a joint task force be organized that would train air-ground teams for augmentation of existing commands. Similarly,

980-447: The JCSE to support two joint task forces and two joint special operations task forces simultaneously. To accomplish this, the JCSE had two Air National Guard units aligned to the JCSE mission. In 2005, JCSE was tasked as a global joint force C4 enabler. Reorganizing existing resources to add another active-duty squadron, JCSE was postured to support this new role. In 2006, the 4th Joint Communications Squadron, an Army Reserve unit,

1029-519: The Joint Chiefs of Staff. At the deactivation of USREDCOM in 1987, administrative control of JCSE was reassigned to U.S. Central Command where it remained until 1998 when it transferred to U.S. Atlantic Command —which transitioned to U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) in 1999—along with operational control. In 2008, the JECC was established and JCSE became one of its three subordinate commands. Following

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1078-498: The U.S. Army Parachute School has been known by a variety of names: The former 4th Student Battalion (Airborne), The School Brigade provided command and control of Airborne School students from the 1960s until October 1985. During its existence, it was organized with a battalion headquarters and up to nine numbered companies, designated the 41st to 49th Student Companies. In the 1960s and 1970s, each Airborne Class normally included students from two different companies. By January 1982,

1127-527: The armed forces of the DoD while the reserve component is made up of one dedicated Army Reserve unit and two Air National Guard units, specifically: All of JCSE's military members receive additional skills training so they can better accomplish their global mission. The tactical skills JCSE members learn or must stay proficient in include airborne infiltration , maritime insertion, basic combat skills, combatives , combat driving, combat life saving, and weapons qualifications. JCSE also has its own university that

1176-489: The back of moving trucks to allow the trainees to experience the shock of landing. Less than forty-five days after it was formed, members of the test platoon made their first jump from a Douglas B-18 Bolo bomber over Lawson Field on 16 August 1940. Lieutenant Ryder and Private William N. (Red) King became the first officer and enlisted man to make an official jump as paratroopers in the United States Army. On 29 August,

1225-414: The battalion was organized with an HHC (which took over the mission of the former Airborne Department), and the 41st to 45th Student Companies, with each Student Company providing command and control for one complete Airborne Class. In October 1985, the assets of the 4th Student Battalion (Airborne) were used to reactivate the 1st Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, as part of the implementation of

1274-402: The beginning of the drop zone and continue to do this until all jumpers have jumped. A soldier must complete five jumps, normally including at least one night jump, to graduate Airborne School. During jump week, the schedule varies and soldiers will jump in a variety of configurations from unloaded Hollywood to fully equipped and loaded Combat Equipment jumps. Jump week can seem chaotic, with

1323-407: The deployment of the risers, steering the chute, and all the way to landing. One critical skill learned is how to identify a parachute malfunction and deal with it. This may involve emergency procedures including when and how to deploy the reserve parachute. Soldiers also learn about oscillation, landing falls, and how to recover from drag. The T-10D and T-11 parachutes are partially steerable using

1372-532: The disestablishment of USJFCOM in 2011, both the JECC and its subordinate commands were reassigned to USTRANSCOM. Within the first two decades of its existence, JCSE's two original units—the 1st and 2nd Joint Communications Squadrons—employed their expertise to a variety of military operations including: As word of the Element's capabilities spread, the demand for JCSE increased. In the 1980s, JCSE adjusted its mission to provide concurrent joint communications support to more than one commander. This adjustment allowed

1421-476: The distinguishing black baseball caps with shiny brass rank insignia and parachutist badge that is part of the instructor's uniform. However, all students at the school are required to address them as " Sergeant (or Petty Officer in the case of a Navy instructor) Airborne". A student's interaction with Black Hats consists largely of shouting, "clear Sergeant, Airborne!", and "not clear Sergeant, Airborne!" instead of yes or no. Instructors come predominately from

1470-422: The final stage of parachute landing. This maneuver teaches a soldier to transfer the energy of the fall (landing) up the sides of the lower legs and knees, all the way up the side of the upper body. During this period black hats (instructors) closely observe and correct the prospective troopers' body position and technique making corrections. This week culminates in practice landings from the lateral drift assembly,

1519-519: The following: United States Strike Command In 1961 the United States Strike Command ( STRICOM ) was established at MacDill Air Force Base as a unified combatant command capable of responding to global crises. The name of the command was originally derived from the acronym for Swift Tactical Reaction In Every Known Environment (STRIKE). It integrated the CONUS -based forces of

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1568-458: The ground at an airspeed of about 113 knots. After the flight crew completes the pre-drop and slow-down checklists, soldiers rise out of their seats and move at the jumpmaster's direction to one of two paratroop doors (on each side of the aircraft). At "green light" one stick of soldiers exits the plane – jumpers continue to move to the door until the red light is illuminated. At that point the aircraft will begin its racetrack maneuver circling back to

1617-611: The national command authorities ordered the CINC of REDCOM (CINCRED) to establish the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force (RDJTF) headquarters as a separate subordinate command within REDCOM. That same year, General Volney F. Warner took command of REDCOM, and held command until 1981. The Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force became an independent unified command in 1983 as United States Central Command (USCENTCOM). Readiness Command

1666-469: The now disestablished U.S. Strike Command —redesignated U.S. Readiness Command (USREDCOM) in 1972. With just over 400 U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army personnel assigned, the CSE was established to serve as a quick response communications unit during crisis and contingency operations. In 1972, the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps joined the CSE, and was redesignated as JCSE with operational control transferred to

1715-577: The parachute risers and students are taught the different techniques to steer their chutes into the wind and aim for the Point of Impact at the center of the Drop Zone. The second week completes a soldier's individual skill training and begins building team effort skills. Once successfully completing the skills required and the physical fitness requirements, a soldier progresses to jump week. Finally, soldiers get to practice their new skills while jumping out of aircraft in flight. The C-130 or C-17 aircraft pick up

1764-400: The parachutist wings to the soldiers. On graduation day, families typically spend only a few minutes with their soldier, pinning on his or her new airborne wings. The soldier frequently departs Fort Moore that day or the following day, to attend another advanced military school or to report to another duty station. The Airborne School instructors are commonly referred to as "Black Hats", due to

1813-572: The paratrooper students in front of the hangar at Lawson Army Airfield . From there it is a very short flight to Fryar Field (commonly referred to as "Fryar Drop Zone"), where all of the training jumps are accomplished. Fryar Field is named after Private Elmer E. Fryar of the United States Army's 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment , who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions in World War II . The Air Force aircraft fly at 1250 feet above

1862-472: The platoon made the first platoon mass jump held in the United States. Members of the original test platoon formed the battalion cadre of the 501st Parachute Battalion, the first parachute combat unit. The second, the 502nd Parachute Infantry Battalion , was activated on 1 July 1941. As more airborne units were activated, a centralized training facility was organized at Fort Benning on 15 May 1942. Over time,

1911-504: The prefix C, N, or A to identify a cadet, NCO, or officer, respectively, or simply a 3 digit number with no prefix for junior enlisted personnel), which is applied to the student's assigned equipment and used as identification throughout training. All students are quartered in gender-segregated, open-bay company barracks for the entire course except for officers, warrant officers, and senior non-commissioned officers (E7 and above), who are assigned to bachelor officer's quarters. However, during

1960-414: The prospective trooper's actual age. Ground week is the phase of training in which the largest number of personnel wash out. Depending on circumstances, personnel who fail to advance are either dismissed from the course outright or less commonly recycled back to an earlier class for additional training. The second week of Jump School concentrates on the jump towers. Prospective troopers will continue using

2009-457: The school in order to be jump-qualified. Summer cycles frequently include a substantial numbers of Army ROTC and West Point cadets along with occasional cadets from other service academies and college ROTC programs. Summer classes can swell to 600+ candidates. The US Coast Guard does not usually participate in Airborne training. During in-processing, each student is given a roster number (with

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2058-446: The tower added realism otherwise impossible to duplicate outside of an airplane drop, and proved to the troopers that their parachutes would function safely. Impressed, the Army purchased two and erected them on what is now Eubanks Field at Fort Benning. Two more were later added, and today three of the original four towers are still in use. Parachute landing training was often conducted by the volunteers jumping from PT platforms and from

2107-532: The weight and equipment outfitting of the individual jumper. Prospective troopers are taught how to wear the parachute harness correctly and how to use the special training gear. During ground week, prospective troopers will spend the majority of time learning, practicing, and perfecting their parachute landing fall (PLF) and proper exit technique from the aircraft. To practice the PLFs, soldiers will jump from platforms of various heights into sand or pebble pits, simulating

2156-687: The worldwide readiness test (of which Operation Giant Lance formed a part) in 1969, sortieing U. S. Navy Middle East Force ships into the Gulf of Aden . STRICOM was redesignated United States Readiness Command ( REDCOM ) in 1972. Essentially, the change was nothing more than a redesignation, except that the command was divested of its MEAFSA responsibilities. The redesignated command's missions included integrating, training, and providing CONUS-based general purpose forces, as well as planning and providing joint task force headquarters and forces for operations in areas not assigned to other unified commands. In 1979,

2205-468: Was added to bring additional flexibility to JCSE. JCSE teams have deployed all over the world enabling DoD senior leaders to communicate in conflict zones and disaster areas. Two examples of this are JCSE's longest continuous deployment from the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom through the end of Operation New Dawn and JCSE's support to Operation Tomodachi . Operation Tomodachi is a good example of JCSE's flexibility when it deployed and made operational

2254-500: Was mainly a mobile tactical communications outfit. United States Army Airborne School The United States Army Airborne School —widely known as Jump School —conducts the basic paratrooper (military parachutist) training for the United States Armed Forces . It is operated by the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 507th Infantry , United States Army Infantry School , Fort Moore , Georgia . The Airborne School conducts

2303-589: Was obtained for training and parachute packing. Lieutenant Colonel William C. Lee , a staff officer for the Chief of Infantry, recommended that the test platoon be moved to the Safe Parachute Company at Hightstown, NJ and train using parachute drop towers from the 1939 New York World's Fair . Eighteen days after forming, the platoon was moved to New Jersey and trained for one week on the 250-foot free towers, which proved to be particularly effective – drops from

2352-468: Was replaced by United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) in 1987, with the last CINCRED, General James J. Lindsay , becoming the first CINCSOC. Detachment 1, 1150th USAF Special Activities Squadron, also known as "Communications Support Element" or CSE, was subordinate to USSTRICOM and operated from MacDill AFB. CSE was about a 50–50 mix of Air Force and Army personnel. CSE consisted of two units – Field Unit "A" (FUA) and Field Unit "B" (FUB) – and

2401-494: Was stood up in 1961, each branch maintained its own communications units. Those resources were typically predesignated for specific mission sets that could not meet the demand for joint operations. JCSE was established to fill this gap as a dedicated communications resource for short-notice contingency operations. The JCSE was established at MacDill Air Force Base as the Communications Support Element (CSE) under

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