Jump Commands

You will note in the story that Fred the Fireman gives “jump commands” to his men in order to prepare them for jumping from the aircraft. Since I have never been a “smoke jumper”, I have no idea if these commands are used by them. The jump commands in the story are the ones that I learned when I was in the Army. Since there may be some level of interest in what goes on in the aircraft prior to the jump, I will share what I remember.

There is enough room in most military aircraft to have four rows of jumpers running the length of the plane.  Two rows have the jumpers with their backs to the plane’s outer skin, one row on each side.  The other two rows run down the center of the plane, one row facing left and the other right, so everyone has someone that they are knee-to-knee with. It is a tight fit.

All warnings and commands are given by the “jumpmaster”, who is stationed in the rear of the plane at the exit door.  Since most of these aircraft have a door on each side, there is a jumpmaster for each door. Each jumpmaster is responsible for the two rows of men on his side of the aircraft.  All commands are accompanied by arm and hand signals because with the plane in flight and the doors open, there is a lot of noise.

There is a 20-minute warning, a 10-minute warning, and a 6-minute warning which is followed immediately with the command to “Get Ready!” The get ready command is followed by:

1. Outboard Personnel Stand Up!  The jumpers with their backs to the outer skin of the aircraft stand up.
2. Inboard Personnel Stand Up!  The other two rows stand up.
3. Hook Up! This is very important.  The jumpers connect their “static lines” to an anchor cable in the aircraft.  This is the line that will deploy their parachutes.  No hook up, no parachute.
4. Check Static Lines!  Each jumper is to double check his static line and make sure it is properly hooked onto the anchor cable.
5. Check Equipment!  Every jumper has additional equipment he is carrying.  Everything from canteens to weapons.  He is to check his equipment to make sure it is secured properly, and that the equipment for the man next to him is also secure.  I remember once as we were jumping into Panama that one man’s M-16 fell off as he went out the door. It was not a good day for him.
6. Sound Off For Equipment Check!  The jumper at the front of the airplane slaps the jumper in front of him on the backside, and yells OK! This is repeated until the last jumper points his finger at the jumpmaster and yells ALL OKAY!  Then there is a pause until the 1-minute warning is given.
7. Stand In The Door!  With 10 seconds to go, this jump command tell the first jumper to take his position at the exit door, and those behind him to follow, and be ready.
8. GO!  There is a light by the exit door.  It is turned on at the 6-minute warning, and is red.  When it turns green, the jumpmaster gives the command to go, and the jumpers exit the aircraft as rapidly as possible.  The plane is traveling at about 130 knots, and even the slightest delays causes big spaces.  The jumpmaster has the option of going first, or last, but in my experience they have always gone last.  At least that is what I did when I was jumpmaster.