Wingsuit World Record Countdown Begins!!

It was a day full of briefings, rehearsals, inspections, and double-checks for the jumpers and support crew involved in tomorrow’s wingsuit distance world record attempt. The day began with a general mission brief with all the key players: jumpers, pilots, loadmasters, phys techs, ground crew, medic, public affairs, and airfield operations. Aerospace Physiologist CPT Christy Zahn followed up with a detailed and informative brief about risks, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of hypoxia. Next was a stop at the Central Weather Operations desk to get an update on tomorrow’s forecast, which looks favorable. Aside from a few scattered clouds, there are few concerns about the weather.

SSG Borger and SFC Slade then went to the equipment room to get fitted for their backup oxygen masks. As an extra safety precaution, every person on the flight must have a secondary mask in case there is a problem with the first one. The phys tech can assist the person in changing out his defective mask and the mission can continue. The masks are hooked up to a special suction machine that simulates the pressure change up to 45,000 feet to check the masks for leaks that could occur during these pressure changes.

After the briefings and equipment issues were complete, the crew, jumpers, and ground support went out to the aircraft to walk through and check everything. SSG Borger coordinated his hand and arm signals with the loadmasters, the pilots checked radios and assigned call signs to ground personnel, and the loadmasters opened and closed the ramp a few times to make sure it worked. The crew also tested the manual opening system for the ramp to ensure that the ramp could be opened in flight, even if the electronic system failed.

The day wrapped up with a final talk-through of the entire timeline for tomorrow. The pilots, who flew the mission twice yesterday in the flight simulator, double checked their route on the maps, and the ground crew got a visual on the actual landing site.

Spirits and hopes are high for tomorrow’s attempt, which follows directly in the footsteps of the ideals of the original team members who started to Golden Knights in 1959. Their main mission was to test, evaluate, and develop modern parachuting techniques, and tomorrow’s mission is no different. SSG Borger will attempt to set a world record for greatest distance covered in freefall using a special suit equipped with wings under the arms and between the legs. The current record stands at 10 miles, which SSG Borger tied last year in Yuma, Arizona.

Upon successful completion of tomorrow’s record attempt, SSG Borger will join a long line of his predecessors who, through their bravery and innovations, advanced the military’s ability to use freefall parachuting as a viable tool in fighting today’s war on terrorism. The official drop time is 14 April 2010 at 0730 CST and SSG Borger anticipates touchdown at 0737. Good luck!!

-Story and photos by SGT Rachel Medley

Photos:

-Aerospace Physiologist CPT Christy Zahn briefs participants about the treatments for hypoxia.

-The team stops at the Central Weather Operations desk at Altus AFB to get an update on tomorrow’s weather forecast.

-SSgt James Garcia measures SFC Arlyn Slade for his secondary mask.

-Airman First Class Michael Gartner helps put together the secondary oxygen masks for tomorrow’s jump.

-SSgt Garcia turns up the pressure on a special machine used to test the masks to ensure a proper seal.

-Ms. Donna Dixon, SSG Ben Borger, and Mr. Michael Battise discuss the best place to secure the in-flight cameras in order to record tomorrow’s jump.

-SSG Borger demonstrates the 10-second countdown the loadmasters will use to signal him to exit the C-17 aircraft.

-SFC Arlyn Slade does pre-flight checks on the Aviator’s Emergency Bailout Parachute System, which he will wear while performing safety checks during the flight.

-Pilot in Command CPT Bryan “Bam” Bailey (L), SSG Borger, and copilot CPT Jesse Newberry pose in front of the aircraft that will be used for tomorrow’s drop.

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