I remember in 2006, i attended the airborne course as 185 BAC. It was the 2nd jump that we walked over to the airbase opposite side of hendon camp. We took the Focal 50 with my former OC, who became the OC for the para-wing. Some of the regulars were also inside. Though it was the 2nd jump, every ns guys were attentive, yet nervous. A few of the regulars also joined it as part of their periodical currency for allowances to be paid to them. They seemed to be in their early to mid 30s, many of them were nonchalant, and take this as a boring game. Was rather early in the morning, at around 7plus am.
At a later point we were told to lift up the hooks to standby for the jump. These regulars were rather sleepy looking....and most of them had almost dozed off, while their one hand was still holding on to the hook. When ready, the jump master instructed the regulars to check all quipments ready on their body,made them did the static line up, and hook up the line. Then one by one, the jump master make them jump upon the greenlight, with a tap of 'green light go!'. It was swift and fast, till i saw a regular did not execute his jump out of the door properly, he seemed flew off the side of the plane. lol.
I was so closed to end of National services when i cleared my basic airborne course. Therefore i had no chance to do the combat jump.
The former OC of mine was great enough to make the batch experience each aircraft with each jump, starting from Chinook(jump out from the back like tarzan swing with 5 seconds open of the chute), and focal 50(3 seconds), and C-130(3 seconds). After completing the minimum requirements, a certificate was issued to all soldiers of that batch.
