Parachutists jump over Misawa

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Chad Strohmeyer
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  From 1,200 feet in the air, the earth seems incredibly distant, but with a simple step, the ground closes in quickly. Hanging there, suspended by a mere piece of canvas and some cables, the exhilaration of near absolute freedom only lasts a moment, as the parachutists intercept the ground. 

Three SERE specialists from Misawa Air Base along with a pararescueman from Kadena Air Base jumped from a C-130 Hercules Jan. 22, marking it as the first jump in more than 15 years.

Parachuting is essential in ensuring the team is properly qualified, according to Staff Sgt. Benjamin Thomas, SERE specialist, 35th Operations Support Squadron. Although Thomas has jumped five times before, each opportunity brings a measure of excitement.
"It's an intimidating feeling looking out the ramp and realizing you are about to jump, but it's an even greater feeling knowing I have years of training to fall back on," said Staff Sgt. Benjamin Thomas, 35th Operations Support Squadron SERE specialist, who accomplished his sixth and seventh jumps during the event. 

The jumps accomplished here were conducted as part of a proposal to ensure this survival skill training can be more readily available for Misawa and other Japanese air base's pilots and special forces. 

"Our hope is that these successful jumps capture enough attention to help generate interest in creating a third drop zone in Japan, here at Misawa," said to Maj. Scott Jewell, 35th OSS SERE flight commander. "With the current situation, having only two zones allowing for the training of personnel drops, Misawa members must travel to Kadena or Yokota Air Base in order to maintain their qualification. Misawa is also a good location for the training due to its wind and weather conditions." 

"A lead [SERE] instructor must jump at least once a quarter," said Sergeant Thomas, "and it's important that we maintain proficiency in this training, the better we know what to do, the better our pilots will know what to do."

If the proposal is approved, the goal is to conduct parachute jump training on a monthly basis, according to Major Jewell. 

"Conducting monthly jump training will increase our training capability in Japan by 50 percent for SERE specialists stationed at Misawa." Major Jewell said. "It will also improve the training capability for C-130 aircrew from Yakota and Kadena, as well as other U.S. Air Force pararescuemen from Kadena."