High-altitude military parachuting

"HAHO" redirects here. For other uses, seeHaho (disambiguation).

United States Air Force Pararescuemenjump at half the height of a typical HALO/HAHO insertion

2eme REPLegionnaires HALO jump from aC-160.

High-altitude military parachuting,ormilitary free fall(MFF), is a method of deliveringmilitary personnel,military equipment,and othermilitarysupplies from atransport aircraftat a highaltitudevia free-fallparachuteinsertion. Two techniques are used:HALO(high altitude – low opening, often called aHALO jump) andHAHO(high altitude – high opening).

In the HALO technique, the parachutist opens the parachute at a low altitude after free-falling for a period of time, while in the HAHO technique, the parachutist opens the parachute at a high altitude just a few seconds after jumping from the aircraft.

Although HALO techniques were first developed in the 1960s for military use, in recent years HALO parachute designs have been more widely used in non-military applications, including as a form ofskydiving.

In military operations, HALO is also used for delivering equipment, supplies, or personnel, while HAHO is generally used exclusively for personnel. In typical HALO/HAHOinsertionsthe troops jump from altitudes between 15,000 and 35,000 feet (4,600 and 10,700 m).Military parachutists will often reach aterminal velocityof 126 mph (203 km/h), allowing for a jump time under two minutes.

High Altitude Low Opening – HALO

The origins of the HALO technique date to 1951 during theKorean War.John K. Singlaub,CIA deputy chief of station in Seoul wanted to use bomber aircraft for agent drops in CIA covert-action operations. Singlaub used an air forceB-26out of aFOBonYeongheungdoIsland and re-rigged the bomb bay as a jump platform. After he conducted a series of proof of concept test jumps, Singlaub borrowed an air forceL-19 Bird Dogand made a series of high altitude low-opening test jumps over theHan River.

In 1960, theUnited States Air Forcebegan conducting experiments that followed earlier work byColonel John Stappin the late 1940sthrough early 1950s on survivability for pilots ejecting at high altitude. Stapp, a researchbiophysicistand medical doctor, used himself in rocket sled tests to study the effects of very highg-forces.Stapp also solved many of the problems of high-altitude flight in his earliest work for the U.S. Air Force and subjected himself to exposure to altitudes of up to 45,000 feet (14,000 m). He later helped develop pressure suits andejection seats,which have been used in jets ever since. As part of the experiments, on August 16, 1960, ColonelJoseph Kittingerperformed the first high-altitude jump at 19.5 miles (31.4 km) above theEarth's surface. Kittinger's friend and United States Naval Parachute Test Jumper Joe Crotwell was also among the consultants and test jumpers of the original program. The first time the technique was used for combat was during theVietnam WarinLaosby members ofMACV-SOGRecon Team Florida.SEAL Teamsof theUnited States Navyexpanded the HALO technique to include delivery of boats and other large items.

The technique is used toairdropsupplies, equipment, or personnel at high altitudes, where aircraft can fly abovesurface-to-air missile(SAM) engagement levels through enemy skies without posing a threat to the transport or load. In the event that anti-aircraft cannons are active near the drop zone, the HALO technique also minimizes the parachutist's exposure to flak.

For military cargo airdrops, the rigged load is cut free and rolls out of the plane as a result of gravity. The load then proceeds to fall under canopy to a designated drop zone.

In a typical HALO exercise, the parachutist will jump from the aircraft, free-fall for a period of time atterminal velocity,and open his parachute at an altitude as low as 3,000 feet (910 m)AGLdepending on the mission. The combination of high downward speed, minimal forward airspeed, and the use of only small amounts of metal helps to defeatradarand reduces the amount of time a parachute might be visible to ground observers, enabling a stealthy insertion.

High Altitude High Opening – HAHO

The HAHO technique is used to airdrop personnel at high altitudes when aircraft are unable to fly above enemy skies without posing a threat to the jumpers. In addition, HAHO parachute jumps are employed in the covert insertion of military personnel (generally special operations forces) into enemy territory, in circumstances where the covert nature of an operation may be compromised by the loud noise of parachutes opening at low altitude.

HAHO jumps also allow a longer travel distance due to increased under-canopy time, allowing travelling distances of more than 40 miles (64 km).

In a typical HAHO exercise, the jumper will jump from the aircraft and deploy the parachute immediately after exiting the aircraft. The jumper will use acompassorGPSdevice for guidance while flying for 30 or more miles (50 kilometers). The jumper must use way points and terrain features to navigate to their desired landing zone and correct their course to account for changes in wind speed and direction. If deploying as a team, the team will form up in a stack while airborne with their parachutes. Usually, the jumper in the lowest position will set the travel course and act as a guide for the other team members. HAHO insertions (excluding training) are intended to be executed at night.

Whilst in the British Special Forces (22 SAS), due to his extensive skydiving background,Charles "Nish" Brucewas pivotal in the original trials and development of the HAHO tactic now routinely used as a conflict insert for special forces.

Military Free-Fall – MFF

In the United States, military personnel who intend to participate in high-altitude military operations must undergo intense training with strict rules and regulations. Military free-fall is one of the most dangerous and physically demanding skills in special operations. MFF operations are typically done under the cover of darkness, so as to hide the operator's presence from opposing forces.

The transition into being military free-fall certified starts with successfully completing the static-line certification atFort Moore,Georgia.The military free-fall course is instructed atYuma Proving Groundand spans four weeks. The first week of the course students will learn how to stabilize their body in flight in a specially constructed vertical wind tunnel.

Health risks

See also:Decompression sicknessandDecompression (altitude)

All types of parachuting techniques are dangerous, but HALO/HAHO carry special risks. At high altitudes (greater than 22,000 feet or 6,700 metres), thepartial pressureof oxygen in theEarth's atmosphereis low. Oxygen is required forhuman respirationand lack of pressure can lead tohypoxia.Rapid ascent in the jump aircraft without flushing sufficient nitrogen from the bloodstream and other body tissues can lead todecompression sickness,also known as caisson disease or "the bends". Since altitude decompression is a form of decompression from saturation, the risk of decompression sickness remains in slow tissues. A longer period of oxygen prebreathing or altitude acclimatisation is necessary to eliminate risk completely. The procedures used for preparation forextravehicular activityinspace suitsare relevant.

A typical HAHO exercise will require a pre-breathing period (30–45 minutes) prior to jump where the jumper breathes 100% oxygen in order to flush nitrogen from their bloodstream. Also, a HAHO jumper will employ an oxygen bottle during the jump. Danger can come from medical conditions affecting the jumper. Other factors increasing risk include tobacco smoking, alcohol and drug use (includingantihistamines,sedatives,andanalgesics),anemia,carbon monoxide,fatigueandanxietycan all lead to a jumper being more susceptible to hypoxia.In addition, problems with the oxygen bottle and during the changeover from the pre-breather to the oxygen bottle can result in the return of nitrogen to the jumper's bloodstream and, therefore, an increased likelihood of decompression sicknessA jumper suffering from hypoxia may lose consciousness and therefore be unable to open the parachute.

Another risk is from the low ambient temperatures prevalent at higher altitudes. At an altitude of 35,000 feet (11,000 m), the jumper faces temperatures of −45 °C (−49 °F), and can experiencefrostbite.However, HAHO jumpers generally wearpolypropyleneknit undergarments and other warm clothing under a windproof shell to prevent this.

HALO carries the additional risk that if the parachute fails to deploy or lines become tangled, there is less time to resort to the reserve (back-up parachute) or untangle the lines.

A retrospective study pinpointed 134 parachutists with 141 injuries. All these injuries were a result of members in HALO training. The most common injuries found were fractures, which accounted for 35% of the total injuries. Muscle sprains accounted for 34.7% of injuries. Other proportionally higher injuries were dislocations at 9.9%, contusions at 7.8%, and cuts and lacerations at 4.9%. The article also noted that two deaths occurred while the study was being conducted.

Example of use

• The first combat high-altitude jump took place during theVietnam Waron 28 November 1970, when a six-manMACV-SOGteam from Recon Team Florida parachuted from aC-130at 18,000 feet (5,500 m) intoLaos.
• On 14 October 1990, while PresidentGeorge H. W. Bushwas atCamp David,a team of operators from1st Special Forces Operational Detachment–Deltaconducted a successful low-level pull HALO drop on theWhite Houseas part of an exercise to test theSecret Serviceresponse to an attack on principal.
• BJ Worth, a professional stuntman doubling asJames Bond,is shown in the 1997 filmTomorrow Never Diesperforming a HALO jump.
• In November 2001, a small team of U.S. troops from the75th Ranger RegimentRegimental Reconnaissance Companyfreefall parachuted intoAfghanistanin order to establish a landing strip.
• In 2002,United States Air Force Pararescuejumpers conducted a HALO jump in Afghanistan as a means of reaching a gravely wounded member of theAustralian Special Air Servicewho was stranded in a minefield.
• Free fall parachute insertions were utilized duringOperation Iraqi Freedom,as a means of bypassing enemy early warning systems.
• In 2009, during therescue of Captain Richard Phillipsoff the coast ofSomalia,a team of U.S. Navy SEALs carried out a nighttime HALO jump into the sea in order to reachUSSBainbridgewhich was towing a lifeboat containing Philips' hostage takers.
• In 2012, U.S. Navy SEALs used the technique to insert intoSomaliatorescue two hostagesbeing held by pirates near the town of Adow.
• Tom Cruisebecame the first actor to perform a HALO jump on camera for the 2018 filmMission: Impossible – Fallout.

List of HALO/HAHO capable units

Main article:List of HALO/HAHO Jump capable units

See also

• Project Excelsior
• John Stapp
• Billy Waugh
• List of paratrooper forces
• Military Freefall Parachutist Badge

References

• Black, Mike.HALO jump over Yuma Proving Ground, AZ.U.S. Marine Corps. United States of America.
• Divine, Mark (2004).Navy SEALs Air Operations – Free Fall: HALO/HAHO(used with permission). U.S. Navy SEAL 1989 to present. Founder ofNavySEALs.
• McKenna, Pat (July 1997).A Bad Altitude.Airman Magazine.U.S. Air Force. United States of America.
• McManners, Hugh (2003), Ultimate Special Forces, pub Dorling KindersleyASINB01NCQBKNJ
• U.S. Army Infantry School (November 1, 1995).Lesson 3: Airlift Requests and Personnel Used in Airborne.Fundamentals of Airborne Operations, Edition B.U.S. Army Infantry School. US Army. United States of America.
• U.S. DOD (June 5, 2003).US DOD Dictionary of Military Terms: Joint Acronyms and Abbreviations.U.S. Department of Defense. United States of America.
• https://web.archive.org/web/20100106010349/http:// airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/aureview/1986/nov-dec/boyd.html
• http:// globalsecurity.org/military/ops/airborne-halo-haho.htm

External links

• The short filmSTAFF FILM REPORT 66-12A (1966)is available for free viewing and download at theInternet Archive.