Eleven Nation NATO Exercise in Norway

Extract from

The first parachute training event of Adventure Express took place over the lovely landscape around Bardufoss area.

Smooth Landing Of Paratroopers

The helicopters were being supplied by the Germans who are in control of today`s jump, but there are Dutch, Norwegian, British and Belgian paratroopers jumping, too. An unusual paratrooper is the British chaplain Collins who has been jumping for many years now. "It`s training, of course, but it is a lot of fun, too. I really enjoy being up in the air", he explains, just before climbing aboard the helicopter.

With him is Belgian Colonel Legrain, Chief of Staff AMF (L) whose eyes gleam as he talks about his dedication to parachuting. Shortly after, three helicopters leave for their destination over the old airfield of Bardufoss. Only a couple of minutes later twelve soldiers jump out, their parachutes opening immediately, and they float gently to the ground. Back in the holding area, others are still preparing for the jump.

Foto: Stig Ove Voll/APIC 97

First they have to get their parachutes and then there`s nothing to do but wait for the order to go aboard the helicopter. "We have to do four duty jumps a year, and today`s training is a good chance of getting more experience", German Private Mark Becker tells.
On the German side most of the younger paratroopers have an average of ten jumps, but the excitement before a jump is always the same. "Some of us need ten cigarettes before a jump, others just need a good night`s sleep - everyone gets ready in his own way", explains Private Michael Fixemer, who has done the standard 22-day jumping course in his German unit. However, today there is even a chance to earn parachute wings from one of the other participating nations.

Private Mark Becker explains:"I can get Dutch wings if I do a jump with a Dutch parachute and it`s a Dutch man who airdrops me". Yet one thing all paratroopers have in common - the wish that the the training will be successful, there won`t be any injuries, and, most of all, the hope to finish off the day with a safe, smooth landing in the snow.