Canadian paratroopers jump

Paratroopers of Third Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (3 PPCLI) conducted a jump into CFB Wainwright, Alberta on 1 December 2015. They were participating in EXERCISE PEGASUS STRIKE, a tactical rehearsal for arctic operations. The troops assembled at Edmonton Garrison in 3 PPCLI headquarters at 0200 hours, then drove to a hangar at Edmonton International Airport where they helped each other don their equipment. On the tarmac, Royal Canadian Air Force flight crews with 436 Squadron and 426 (Training) Squadron, both based at CFB Trenton, waited for the soldiers. The flight crews operated two Hercules CC-130J aircraft that day to fly the paratroopers to their drop zone at CFB Wainwright. The two planes took off shortly before 0900 hours and 30 minutes later, the Jump Master shouted his commands: “Look This Way. Stand Up. Hook Up. Check Your Equipment.” The Hercules Load Masters opened both side doors and the chilly wind blast added to the thunderous propeller drone. Everybody waited for the green light, then the Jump Master gave the signal: Go. Within seconds, all paratroopers jumped to their objective. Immediately upon landing, they were on foot using fire and movement to capture a bridge held by simulated enemy forces. As that was happening, the two Hercules aircraft flew to the Rocky Mountains (Jasper area) to conduct several hours of contour flying. According to one of the pilots, both planes flew about 210 KIAS (Knots Indicated Air Speed), the equivalent of almost 400 km/h. The aircraft frequently descended to about 300 feet above ground level. Then suddenly lurched upwards with a sharp bank to the left or right, depending on the terrain. After the contour flying exercise was completed, the two Hercules aircraft returned to Edmonton International Airport. Video by Grant Cree, Veritas Studios Inc.