First of all, thank you for your service fellow OAE and Para Rescue Team member. However, after reading this post I was compelled to respond with a clarification to hearing of a Rescue Team making a jump at the South Pole before your time. Christmas Eve 1973 there was no wind when I and three other U.S. Navy VXE-6 Para-Rescue Team members jumped at South Pole station, Antarctica. It was clear day. Shortly before the jump someone observed surface temperature of -10o F. I’m not aware of S.P. jumps between my deployment and yours 1974 - 1981. Official US Navy message traffic stated: “Jumpers will be dressed in special clothing suitable for the occasion. Historical records indicate this will be the first Para-Rescue operation at South Pole Station since 1965. Purpose of demonstration is to field test new equipment, evaluate new techniques, and to wish a very Merry Christmas to our many friends at Pole Station”. Attached photo is from book; 20 Years on the Ice, Public Affairs Staff of Antarctic Development Squadron Six, published by Tiffany of California Publishing Company, 1975. We set up our ground site as cargo was unloaded from Hercules 159129 (the real reason this LC-130 came to the Pole). The jump was just like any other practice: “set up a DZ target, board the aircraft with gear, spot and jump”. This was going to be a 10 second delay free-fall. Jumpmaster and Parachute Rigger Chief Petty Officer Ray Smith’s main was a Paraplane Cloud while the rest of us used Para-Commanders. When the aircraft reached jump altitude the aft cargo ramp and door was opened. That is one awesome experience standing back there inflight and at high altitude with that big ramp open! If you’ve been there you must agree. Those of us in the cargo compartment had already begun breathing oxygen with individual masks and portable cylinders during spotting. These were set aside moments before exiting the aircraft. Note that altitudes reported and recorded are ASL (Above Sea Level) not AGL (Above Ground Level). Our jump altimeters were set to AGL based on readings from aircraft instruments while on deck. My Parachutist Log entry by Jumpmaster Ray Smith wrote: Alt Jump: 13800, Delay in Seconds: 10 plus, Maneuvers: Fast-, Distance to Target: Where? Surface Wind: 0, Remarks: Malfunction-Beautiful cutaway-Fast---Damn fast descent. My PC had a line entanglement malfunction. I imagined it as though “a quarter of the pie above me had been cut out”. My rate of decent was high and I cutaway. My recollection and Ray’s differ because I experienced it and he was above me somewhere. My body position could have been better when I cutaway. I added more free-fall time before deploying reserve. I’m sure it was several seconds and a couple photos from aircraft attest to this. I landed as near to target under my reserve as I could. Chief Warrant Officer Two Bill Couch, following team procedures, landed nearby to ensure I was alright. Both Jerry and Bill have passed away. I’ve not communicated with Ray in several years and uncertain of his status. Like the Antarctic landscape; historical documentation of parachuting by individuals or teams is quite barren. I have many photos of this event and would re-post them if anyone is interested. I’m grateful for this website’s organizers for providing a forum to contribute to.
