Black Team Tunnel Time

Not even the weather can get in the way of training for Black Team! So instead of taking to the skies, they took to the indoor wind tunnel today to get 60 full minutes of quality flying time.

Time in the wind tunnel is extremely productive for all sections of the team, regardless of the discipline they are practicing. Unlike actual jumps, which provide about 60 seconds of freefall time per jump, tunnel time allows the jumpers to “fly” for two to four minute intervals at a time. Instead of thinking about the spot, altitude, freefall drift, and opening the parachute, the jumper in the tunnel can concentrate 100% of their energy on their body position and flying skills. It would take about 60 skydives to get an hour of freefall time.

During the hour of tunnel time today, Black Team worked primarily on six different eight-man formations. The training starts with a walk-through of the formations and discussion of correct form and position. Once in the tunnel, the team works in two-minute rotations with a new formation every rotation. Some of the team members also worked on other disciplines, such as back-flying, two-man, and four-man drills.

Story by SGT Rachel Medley, Photos by SGT Rachel Medley and Nelson Perez

photos:

1. Black Team gear all lined up and ready to go!
2. SGT Rachel Medley and SGT Brandie Phillips perform two-way mirror drills as the tunnel “driver” manages the controls. (photo by Nelson Perez)
3. (clockwise from front) SFC Arlyn Slade, SGT Tylor Wheeler, SSG Todd Beckel, and Team Leader SFC Will Fleming perform four-way drills. (photo by Nelson Perez)
4. Black Team forms one of the eight-way formations and awaits the key. (photo by Nelson Perez)
5. (from left) SFC Will Fleming, SFC Arlyn Slade, SSG Howie Sanborn, SGT Tylor Wheeler, and SSG Todd Beckel walk through one of the formations.
6. (from left) SSG Todd Beckel, SSG Brandon Valle, SFC Will Fleming, SGT Brandie Phillips, and SFC Arlyn Slade practice the “star” formation.
7. SGT Rachel Medley practices “backflying,” a discipline used for freefall videography and photography. (photo by Nelson Perez)
8. Black Team practices a “Left Hand Donut” formation. (photo by Nelson Perez)
9. Team Leader SFC Will Fleming (foreground) checks over his shoulder before keying the next formation. (photo by Nelson Perez)

Tagged as: Black Team