Para jumping is compulsory for all commandos of the Indian Tri-Service. There are various types of jumps para commandos take part in. Today, we will discuss the different types of jumps performed by the Indian parachute regiment that are conducted as unique sports for them. The Parachute Regiment of the Indian Air Force is full of adventures and fun. Various rare sports are being conducted for parachute regiment units of the Indian Air Force.
Many people dream of getting this opportunity, but very few get a chance to perform so. The Sport of para jumping prepares commandos for special operations where jumping from height is required. This jump can be done with equipment or without equipment as per the requirement of the mission.
The armed forces special operation division(AFSOD) draws defense personnel from different army branches to take part in special operations. This special branch of the army is known as the Indian tri-services.
Types of Jump
Mainly there are two modes of para jumping performed by Indian para commandos that are used in operations. There is one additional mode that is required to achieve Air-wings by paratroopers.
● HAHO( high altitude, high opening)
● HALO(high altitude, low opening)
● LALO(low altitude, low opening)
Mode 1: HAHO
HAHO is a type of jump which instructs to take high altitudes and High openings. It becomes a requirement of the mission to maintain its secrecy as the parachute makes noise while opening.
To avoid opening noise, a typical height greater than 20000 feet is chosen so the parachute takes 10-15 seconds to open the canopy. This technique is used When it’s hard to take aircraft above the skies of an enemy without possible harm to paratroopers or aircraft.
It takes 20-30 minutes to reach the designated target place in the open canopy. HAHO jumps are an efficient technique to airdrop soldiers in special operations.
Mode 2: HALO
Photo: pergelator.blogspot.com
This jumping style has special war zone tactics to avoid missile attacks over aircraft passing by the enemy sky. Paratroopers jump at very high altitudes and open their canopy at very low altitudes I.e., 200-500 meters.
This technique avoids instant detection by the enemy. Opening as low as possible prevents it from getting tracked on the radar easily. It hardly takes 3-4 minutes to land from opening altitude with a high speed of 300 kmph. Para commandos should stay as close as possible in HALO.
Due to high air blow and free fall, breathing and controlling the body becomes hard in this technique. Paratroopers generally use masks and oxygen cylinders to stay conscious. In the case of operations in cold-weather regions, they use specially made items of clothing to avoid freezing.
Mode 3: LALO
LALO is a kind of para jumping that instructs low opening and low altitude. Commandos leave the aircraft in groups of 10-15 troops in this mode. The opening of the canopy is automated in this style.
It takes 10-15 seconds for the opening. Commandos jump from a height of 12000-15000 feet and stay in the air for a duration of one to five minutes. This can vary as per the height chosen during the jump. LALO is also known as static line jumping.
Static line jumping as a criterion to earn Para-wing
There are certain criteria to earn Para-wing as a para commando, they need to perform at least 5 LALO, or static line jumps in different conditions. Three Of them in daylight, two at night, and any of those jumps should include the equipment.
Mostly HAHO and HALO are used in warzone operations to perform missions. It eases the entry of troops into enemy regions without harming aircraft by ground-to-air missile attacks.
