The paratroopers of Company H, 121st Infantry Battalion, Long Range Surveillance Team, have once again distinguished themselves by successfully bringing the unit back on active jump status. The company last performed an airborne operation May of 2006, prior to their deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

More than two years later, the company completed their Basic Airborne Refresher and Jump course. The refresher consists of several different stations, including the suspended harness, Parachute Landing Fall pit, and the 34 Foot tower, that the paratroopers must complete before they are certified to jump again.

At the first formation, the 560th Battle Field Surveillance Brigade commander recognized one of the Soldiers from Company H, Spec. Christopher Tucker, as the first ever Soldier of the Year for the 560th BFSB.

As the paratroopers strapped on their chutes and were checked by the jump masters, Capt. Will Parker, the LRS commander, addressed the group saying, “We’re at the crawl phase right now. Anytime you execute an operation as complicated as a jump you want to start out slow then build up. As we progress the Airborne Operations will become complex.”

Also joining the Soldiers of the LRS company were their brigade commander and members of his staff, the 3rd Battalion, 108th Calvary commander, several members of Company B, 4th Marine Recon, and also members of 982nd Combat Camera from the Army Reserves who provided coverage both in the aircraft and on the ground.

“Overall it was a very successful weekend,” said Parker. “When everyone walks away from the drop zone, it’s a successful jump. Now that we are qualified as a company we can start building more and more on our individual skills so we’ll be at our peak performance the next time we deploy.”

Photo: With a stick of jumpers descending in the background, Command and Staff of 560th Battle Field Surveillance Brigade pose for a quick picture. From left to right Maj. Jose Fernandez, 560th BFSB, asistant S3, Command Sgt. Maj. Lance Rygmyr, 560th BFfSB command sergeant major, Maj. Matthew Saxton, 3rd Battaltion, 108th Calvary commander, Col. Peter Vanambaugh, 560th BFSB commander, Maj. Robert Lazenby, 560th BFSB judge avocate, and Cpt. Will Parker, LRS Company commander.
LRS company recertifies as Paratroopers.

The paratroopers of Company H, 121st Infantry Battalion, Long Range Surveillance Team, have once again distinguished themselves by successfully bringing the unit back on active jump status. The company last performed an airborne operation May of 2006, prior to their deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

More than two years later, the company completed their Basic Airborne Refresher and Jump course. The refresher consists of several different stations, including the suspended harness, Parachute Landing Fall pit, and the 34 Foot tower, that the paratroopers must complete before they are certified to jump again.

At the first formation, the 560th Battle Field Surveillance Brigade commander recognized one of the Soldiers from Company H, Spec. Christopher Tucker, as the first ever Soldier of the Year for the 560th BFSB.

As the paratroopers strapped on their chutes and were checked by the jump masters, Capt. Will Parker, the LRS commander, addressed the group saying, “We’re at the crawl phase right now. Anytime you execute an operation as complicated as a jump you want to start out slow then build up. As we progress the Airborne Operations will become complex.”

Also joining the Soldiers of the LRS company were their brigade commander and members of his staff, the 3rd Battalion, 108th Calvary commander, several members of Company B, 4th Marine Recon, and also members of 982nd Combat Camera from the Army Reserves who provided coverage both in the aircraft and on the ground.

“Overall it was a very successful weekend,” said Parker. “When everyone walks away from the drop zone, it’s a successful jump. Now that we are qualified as a company we can start building more and more on our individual skills so we’ll be at our peak performance the next time we deploy.”

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