Smoke Jumpers!!!!

Q · 04-02-2006, 15:05

Hey, I'm looking for a set of Forest Service Jump Wings. When I was assigned to ODA-573('81), 5th SFG sent us to Missoula to go through their school for the rough terrain parachute techniques. We were supposed to return and train the BN. I would be willing to pay for them. Anybody help me out???? "Q".

**Ambush Master** · 04-02-2006, 15:24

If someone else dosen't reply before me, I can probably help ya out. Air.177 (Blake) is fixing to go to work for the Forest Service as a Firefighter. Some of his Heli-tac buddies should be able to be of assistance.

Later
Martin

Q · 04-02-2006, 16:00

Great! Are you going to contact him or should I? Thanks, I've been trying to get these wings replaced for years. "Q".

Smokin Joe · 04-03-2006, 20:01

Try this out:

Smoke Jumer Store

HTH

**Ambush Master** · 04-03-2006, 20:17

I don't know if those are the same as the Forest Service Wings, that link is to the National Smokejumper Association. Q, have you tried to contact the NFS or BLM?!?! I can put you in touch with someone, but you'll need to PM me with your name and Class Number or date.

Later
Martin

**Eagle5US** · 04-03-2006, 21:11

I found this one...

Eagle

**Eagle5US** · 04-03-2006, 21:14

Here is a grouping of SJ stuff that advertises a set of "SJ Wings"
on E-Bay

Eagle

Q · 04-04-2006, 00:18

Well, here is were I stand now. I contacted the smoke jumpers association and there wings look like something out of a cereal box plus its got association language on it. The wings you guys have shown me are the closest to what I remember. Now they may have changed several times since I was there, 25 plus years ago. From what I remember they looked alot like the VN wings with a Fir Tree in the middle and no parachute....Just a big ass tree with long straight wings. I got through to the school in Missoula today and the head instructor told me to get back to him after the middle of the month, they were running a refresher course getting ready for this upcoming season......poor bastards. I'll take your advice and try and find a certificate. I don't think we had a class number this was ginned up between 5thSFG S-3 Training and their committee head at the time. I think they just fitted us in during a down time. We used their gear but our aircraft and fuel. We Traded wings etc, etc. "Q'.

Q · 04-04-2006, 00:44

First, I wanna thank you guys for pointing me in the right direction. I've got more done on this little project in the last two days than I've got accomplished over the last 25 years. The wings, all of them, look different than I remember. I checked out the wings on ebay and the one set they do have look pretty close to what I remember. I asked them a few questions on the wings to make sure. The Association metal wings look like a lapel pin but not bad. The US Forest Service wings you showed me I like also. I may just pick up a couple of sets and check them out. I'm hoping that if I can find a training certificate maybe it has a picture of the wings on it. Thanks again guys. And don't stop looking if you run across something before I finally find 'em let me know. I will keep you posted so's you don't waste your time. "Q".

Q · 04-05-2006, 10:23

Thanks for the help. Looks like I've found about the closest set to what I remember. The guy on Ebay was an old smokejumper and he had a set of metal wings with the patches he was selling. So if I don't get bid out they are mine. He graduated from the course around the same time I did. Again, Thanks. "Q".