Wind Tunnel Training: Key to Expeditionary and Special Warfare Readiness

ByLeslieTomaino

Naval Safety Command

NORFOLK, Va Several members from the Naval Safety Command

(NAVSAFECOM)ExpeditionaryandSpecial Warfare Directorate participated in simulated skydiving training at the iFly Virginia Beach July 17 This periodically scheduled training allows jump participants a simulated free fall environment to work on various body positions, corrective actions and emergencyactionproceduresinacontrolled andsupervisedenvironment. IFlyprovidesanindoorskydivingexperience that creates free fall conditions without having to jump out of an aircraft. The facility’s vertical wind tunnel generates 1600horsepowerfromfourpowerfulfans, creating a wall-to-wall cushion of air on which participants can safely float. While an entertainment venue for the general population, the wind tunnel is more than just fun for the DoD personnel who use it for training purposes

“I have been doing the wind tunnel training for about six years and the trainingistheclosestwecangettorepresenting the feeling, motion and training to actual flight, said a Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator stationed at NAVSAFECOM as a naval special warfare safety analyst. “This training is important to me and others as it allows the opportunity to maintain jump qualification proficiency while stationed at a non-operational command.”

The wind tunnel is a low-risk atmosphere that provides the jumper with a realistic experience of falling through the air at 125 mph. Jumpers work on stability 360-degree turns side slide and forward or back movements Once the basic movements have been mastered, jumpers can transition into emergency procedures and simulate each emergency procedure they might encounter at the “bottom end” of their jump Not only will jumpers practice their wave off procedure, but they will simulate and conduct a hard pull Emergency Procedure (EP), learning how to stay stable and still execute with quick but precision hard pull.

On this training day at the wind tunnel, participantshadtheirownindividualareas they aimed to train in. Participants have different levels of experience and specific training goals to work toward “TodayIworkedonvariousfreefallbody positions Movingforwardandback leftto right in different varieties,” said the Senior ChiefSpecialWarfareOperator “Theother thing I worked on was recovery stability, having the instructor push or pull me and roll me over and working on my recovery.”

SeniorChiefSpecialWarfareBoatOperator Brad Rumbaugh, a small boat safety analystwithNAVSAFECOM,hasover200 militaryfreefall(MFF)jumpsandcountless hours going into the tunnel. Rumbaugh’s training focused on his “Coach’s Position,” which uses legs to maneuver, freeing one’s hands for hand signals while instructing another flyer “The position is for assisting another jumper If someone hasn’t jumped in a whileorasksforsomeonetojumpoutwith them, that position allows for the “coach” to use his or her hands to either help or eventually pull the rip cord if the jumper freaks out or freezes in the air and misses theirpullaltitude,”saidRumbaugh.“When coaching you have to be ready to stop their spin, direct and communicate corrections with your hands You can’t be using your hand to maneuver and pass hand signals at the same time, so you have to learn to fly with your legs so your hands are free.”

Theparticipantsknowthevalueofwind tunneltrainingandseizeeveryopportunity they have to participate

“Training like this is important to DoD because like everything else you have to staycurrentwithyourskills Youeitheruse or lose your skills with things like shooting, skydiving, scuba diving, etc., said Rumbaugh. “Wind tunnel training allows military free fall parachutists the ability to knock the rust off, gain more experience and boost their confidence in emergency procedures prior to the real evolution of military free fall.”

ChiefExplosiveOrdnanceDisposalTechnician Jeremy Marco, a NAVSAFECOM expeditionary warfare safety analyst stressed the importance of the free fall emergency and survivability procedures and the opportunity the vertical wind tunnel provides

“Vertical wind tunnel training with procedures increases the jumper’s in-air survivability and ability to withstand and cope with malfunctions and in-air emergencies that could occur,” said Marco. “Today, I worked specifically on belly fly, turns using hands and feet, situational awareness and air space management.”

Risk is inherent in all tasks training missions,operationsandpersonalactivities no matter how routine. While there is no shortageofinherentriskintheNavy’sexpeditionaryandspecialwarfarecommunities, trainingsuchasthewindtunnelremainskey to readiness Navy’s top priority Today’s operational environment demands ships, aircraft submarines expeditionary forces specialoperationsforcesandpersonnelthat arereadytofightandwin.

DISCLAIMER: The use of IFLY by name in this article does not imply endorsement by the Naval Safety Command www flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 2 | Thursday, August 10 2023 1