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View Full Version : HALO 43,500 ft, Dec 16 1963


JJ_BPK
12-16-2017, 13:44
PSA

This is a special day in military history. A Special Forces team of Snake Eaters jumped out of a C-103 at 43,500 ft altitude.


This date 54 years ago myself and 13 other personnel exited the tailgate from a C-130 #62387 over Tatu Drop Zone, El Centro NAS, El Centro, Calif. From an altitude of 43,500 feet."


"Jim and the rest of the crew that made that jump were flown to Washington, DC, where Gen Curtis Lemay presented them all with the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary service.

This team, including the C-130A and flight crew, were constantly working in unknown territory. At the time, a C-130A had never flown to the altitudes they were working.

The jumpers had no specialized equipment. Jim designed, scrounged parts, and fabricated the oxygen console they used to get to altitude. He modified, designed, and sewed the equipment they used.

They had no special jumpsuits or equipment to survive in that environment. Most of the team suffered from the bends, burst eardrums, and frostbite, but they accomplished their mission and beat the Russian team altitude record."


These men are LEGENDS.

:lifter:lifter:lifter:lifter

abc_123
12-16-2017, 17:17
Thanks for posting that!

PRB
12-16-2017, 22:20
Very cool....great job gents in pushing the envelope.