3 members from Pathfinder UK and 5 members Worldwide Association of Special Forces (WASF) attended the Estonian Challenge held in Tallinn this year.  The event was organised by Army Special Operations Group (ASOG), led by Andrei Ambros and comprised of 4 different disciplines.  These were firearms training, parachuting, scuba diving and a tactical rappelling course

The flight to Estonia was direct and friendly, just under 3 hours flying time from Gatwick airport.  We were met on arrival by Andrei Ambros and driven to the Ecoland Hotel, situated on the outskirts of Tallinn city centre.  After unpacking, finding out where the hotel bar was situated, we had dinner at a local chicken cafe and prepared ourselves for an early start to what promised to be an exciting and challenging 5 days

The first day started early and ended late, allowing us to complete a certified weapons training course under the expert tuition of ASOG.  Training began on small arms, and a variety of 9mm weapons were used.  Safe handling procedures were high on the list and a variety of methods were demonstrated and trained with the group, using different holsters, weapons and firing positions and distances, all to enhance the existing abilities of the members on course.  The course progressed onto a variety of semi and fully automatic weapons, again including firing methods and tips when handling each weapon.  In total, over 13 different weapons were used and every student had an opportunity to use and fire every weapon at least once.  This was Friday, the start to the course, and a good start at that.  The morale in the group was high and the expectation of parachuting the next day had us all head to the hotel bar and get those few drinks in before we settled down to a well earned rest.

Saturday morning started with an early journey to the airport and DZ, the weather was good and everyone was in high spirits.  Upon arrival at the airport, we were introduced to the Soviet style parachute we were to use.  It is a static line parachute - with a difference.  Although there is a static line attached to the strop over your shoulder, it deploys a drogue chute, leaving the main intact.  You then have 5 seconds to manually pull the main cute release handle after exit, before a altimeter-activated device releases the main chute for you.  This initial free-fall exit was unusual but everyone was looking forward to the jump.  After zillions of practice PLF's (parachute landing fall) and parachute operating drills, we were introduced to the aircraft we would be using, the Antonov AN-2.  After a few dry runs, we suited up and headed for the DZ which by this time had been invaded by a horde of "square jumpers".  Within 20 minutes were were in the air and at 3,500ft made our exit in 4 sticks over the airfield, which also doubled as the DZ.  All chutes deployed perfectly and the landing underneath these enormous Soviet canopies was relatively uneventful.  Another successful day.

Sunday saw those members who were dive qualified to head out to a wreck about 3 miles out of Tallinn harbour.  The wreck was a sunken German WW2 trawler, sitting upright in 8m of water.  Although the visibility was poor, a good inspection of the wreck was possible.  For those members who hadn't dived before, an introductory PADI course was offered which included a short 10min accompanied dive in shallow water.  All those who participated enjoyed themselves immensely and testified that the Baltic sea was unusually warm (18 degrees), against all expectations

The final day of training was the tactical rappelling course.  This took place in a large 5-storey abandoned military barracks and was without doubt, the most challenging and demanding event of the entire course.  It requires complete focus, total concentration and lots of guts to complete the various exercises presented.  By the end of the day, students were able to conduct backwards rappelling, forward rappelling (Aussie-style), tactical building entry, live fire shooting exercises and building clearance techniques.  This was a exhilarating day of training which left everyone completely exhausted, but very satisfied

The course ended with the wings and certificate presentation the following evening.  This was a fitting culmination to a fantastic course, which everyone enjoyed immensely.  Good friendships were made and the lovely country of Estonia  had won a batch of admiring fans.  The instruction by ASOG was professional, committed, personal and thorough, making this course one of the few where personal input and training by staff was of the highest order.  Every instructor gave 100% to the course which was fully recognised and appreciated by every student.  Andrei Ambros is to be congratulated on leading a highly motivated and capable group of instructors, presenting an outstanding course and future courses are highly recommended, guaranteed not to disappoint. 

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This was the second of two round canopy parachute courses offered by Pathfinder at Texel (pronounced TESSEL) airfield in Holland for 2005.  5 members from Pathfinder attended as well as two civilian square parachutists from the Para Centrum where the training is based.  The course was planned for 5 days, but due to variations in the end of summer weather, opportunities for jumping had to be taken where they could , which could result in the course lasting between 2 and 5 days .

After the initial settling in day at the local "parachute friendly hotel", De Kiewiet, we made our way to the airfield to commence the ground school training, which consisted of some classroom lectures on the theory of round parachutes, exercises of PLF's which generally resulted in various bruised backsides, thighs and legs.  The sandbag training for emergency drills was also a local favourite, all thorough grounding for the impending jumps the following day.  Usage and operation of the round canopy used by the school was taught as well as dry runs on the steel frame and aircraft itself, together with the basics of packing a round parachute.  Due to less than 12 jumpers on course that week, a Cessna 208 Caravan was used instead of the AN-2.  The Caravan was equal to the task and comfortably held 11-13 jumpers per trip

Bad weather delayed the first jump to the end of the second day, and safe landings were made all round by each student.  2 of the jumpers were first-timers, so the appropriate coercion, blackmail and threats ensured that loads of drinks were provided in the bar that night at their expense, all to remind them that we are here to promote the Airborne Brotherhood and their recent entrance to that organisation was gratefully welcomed.  A first-time jumping induction ceremony was also performed in the bar, which required 10 rather drunk adult men slapping the left buttock of each 'rookie' as they ran past.  Some locals sat observing the ritual with a mixture of surprise and disbelief, before applauding loudly as they saw the affair come to an end.  To clarify, this is something practiced frequently in South African amongst all military Para after the fist jump and not some crude form of bar entertainment

All students completed the required 5 jumps to qualify for the Dutch "B" wing, with the exception of one, who twisted his ankle severely after the second jump and was unable to finish the course.  Wings and certificates were handed out on the final evening, closing off a successful course and a good time was had by all.  The team of instructors, namely Brord van der Maat and Ron Visser were excellent and their input, commitment and dedication to the course were appreciated by all.  This is certainly a must-do course before Arnhem 2006, not just as a refresher but as a springboard for all those wishing to jump at military commemorative events of a similar nature throughout the world in the future.

I contacted the IBA by email for more information and to ask if there was still places available.  I got a reply and it said that there was still places but because the date for the jumps was only less than 2 weeks away I needed to confirm that I was going as soon as possible. After considering the cost and time off from my work I emailed to say that I was going and that I would fax them all necessary forms i.e. Medical/doctors, copy of passport, Jumps Logbook, flight details and the name of the hotel that I was staying in Berlin.

I received instructions from Bernie Hasenbein head of the IAS that he would meet me at Berlin Airport.  In the airport he would have a sign with my name on it.  He would then take me to the hotel.  Once at Berlin Airport I was showing how to purchase a bus ticket and where to get the bus to and from the hotel.  These instructions were needed because, not only had I not been in Berlin before but next day I was to rendezvous at another location in the city to catch a train to Poland.  At the rendezvous I met again Bernie and another American named Fred.  We then got a train to Poland which was going to stop at Wroclaw.

At Wroclow train station we changed our Euros into the local currency and proceeded to get a taxi to the Officers Academy.  Bernie was wise to know that the local taxi drivers can rip you off so we had a slight difficulty in haggling the price.  We managed to get a taxi which was well away from the train station.  The taxi took us to the Officers Academy.

Once there  we were introduced to other members who were there also to do the parachuting course.  We were kept waiting for a while for information as to where we were going to stay.  Some of the other guys from other organisations had been waiting a few hours before us?

Once at the Officers Academy some of the guys were disappointed ton finding out that we were not going to stay at the Officers Barracks . It was decided that we were to stay in other accommodation similar to a Hostel for Cadets?   The rooms averaged about 3 persons and there was a toilet and shower per rooms.  I had some difficulty on the first mooning with water.  2 guys before me managed to get a shower and because the was no water left I had to do without until evening.  I think the problem was to do with the water pump??   Whatever the problem it was fixed for the next day and so everyone got their wash and shave

After breakfast we were then taken to the parachute training centre and we were showing how to use the Parachute, how to exit the An-2 plane, how to land safely.  Much of this was  classroom lessons.

We were then considered  ready to jump.  Some guys were lucky to get 3 jumps in on the same day. I managed to get 2 in and 1 last jump the next day.  There were no accidents.  One  German jumper had difficulty getting out of the plane.  Nerves I think?  On our last jump he was allowed to get on board the An-2 to make another attempt to Parachute. Slight hesitation but a helpful hand from the jumpmaster ensured he had a smooth exit.  He landed safely

In our spare time we all had the opportunity to visit the Armoury Museum in Wroclaw unfortunately due to some parts of the building being renovated we had to settle for seeing the Helmet Room which held a collection of helmets from different armies of the world.  There was also rooms which showed Bronze Age artefacts.

On our last evening we had a barbeque organised by the Poles with plenty of food and alcohol.  On our last morning we had a presentation of  wings and certificates.

I have to say that despite one or two minor setbacks I was not disappointed with the Polish trip.  I went there and received military parachute training, gained my Polish wings and a certificate to prove it.  No one was injured and the Polish people were friendly.  I would go back again if I had the opportunity.