2006 Part 1 January to June

(click here for part 2 July to December)

Visit to Eban Emael

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This proved to be a great weekend put together by Brord and Ron.

At 40.00 Euro (32.00 Stg) it was exceptionally good value for what we got. It included the tours, bus transport, taxis, tea, coffee, sandwiches, an all you can eat Chinese meal and even a few beers thrown in for good measure. Brord certainly made the pennies go a long way.

The tours were impressive, particularly the tour of the fortress of Eban Emael. All the guides knew their stuff and gave the tours in both Dutch and English. I was also fortunate enough to get to see the American Cemetery at Margraten and if any of you find yourselves in this part of Holland I would advise you to take the time to visit this cemetery.

All in all this Pathfinder event was well worth taking the time to attend and I would highly recommend it to everyone for next year. If you had thought about going this year and didn't, you really missed out.

10 out of 10 to Pathfinder NL for organising this event, as for me I've already booked my return ticket!

Austin

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April Texel 2006

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A trip to cambodia Pathfinder style. 

An outsider's view.  

More pictures in the picture archives (members section) click here

Video click here

Asia 2006/01_Meeting_the_team

When asked by a good friend , to participate in, a one week Asian adventure holiday, (ground training in Thailand and jumping in Cambodia), organised by pathfinder UK . I became a little curious at least. What is pathfinder?
Sounds in reference to Dutch language, as something you would almost immediately associate with boy scouts As my good friend, Jasper Nales, is already a member, that wrong association was soon cleared. After also being informed what founders and most other member are made of and what the have achieved so far, it sounded to me that this was a solid group of Para's who
knew their business. That being told and me checking their website gave confidence in pathfinder's abilities.

The kind of jumping to aspect then was of course military style. Beside growing interest in meeting with this group and to do what they have been founded for, something else started to build up as well....(enthusiasm, Ian!!)

So we hooked up, did all the necessary paperwork, flight bookings and what not. All was quickly confirmed & settled. The only thing left to do, was to land on schedule in Bangkok and to be picked up by Maamar, which he punctually did. He lodged us both at a hotel a stone throw away from the army barracks. Barracks which based the Long Range and Reconnaissance Patrol, otherwise referred to as LRRP, an element of the Kings Own Guard, acting as our host unit and here we met the rest of the team.
 

                Al ready for jump tower                                                 In the Hip

A multi nationality gathering of former Para's and airborne-enthusiast it turned out to be; Singaporeans, Brits, Americans, Chinese, local Thais and us Dutch. All sharing the will to learn different ways of jumping, and having good fun at doing it. The Pathfinders instructors I've met were Ian Marshall and Jason Snailham. Writing this for the Pathfinder newsletter a further introduction may not be necessary, but...Apart from being an army instructor myself and I've so far attended lots of courses, seeing a good deal of teacher's even professor's and other instructors along the way , I can only say: these two are top notch. Well experienced,
well-spoken and placing your safety first. Now let us not cramp them to the limit with more feathers....but this is how you want to be taught, whatever the subject is.

The programme for this week was:

Monday - Introductions, uniforms issued, say getting generally prepared.
Tuesday & Wednesday: doing a two day jungle survival course near Lop Buri, a garrison town 154 kilometres north of Bangkok.  On return (Thursday) ground training at the LRRP barracks and using their jump tower.
Friday some more training and moving over to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Our host unit near Phnom Penh is Cambodia's Special forces unit 911, stationed at fort Kambol Angsunal, Kandal.

So we were lodged on Sunday & met most of the other team members on Monday.  We were all issued Thai Army fatigues, and quite exotic, had our name tags on them also written in Thai.  When introductions were made with Thai instructors none of them laughed, so whatever was written on the tags seemed to be quite correct. Well done Maamar, you are a true language miracle worker!

The jungle course started with a decent lunch and then a little walk through some jungle to where we were to a have a 'bivouac'. A small step for local and acclimatised men, a giant leap for mankind of the northern hemisphere.  The only one who suffered seriously was the volunteer water mule. But he kept us alive so we returned him the favour. When we reached the tents, we
found them comfortably erected near an very inviting pond.  This pond however had to be shared with some 60 female schoolteachers who were enjoying a road trip of their own.  But a the sight of so many able young man emerging from the jungle they just rushed out of the water and invited us to join and have dinner with them.  How could we refuse and not provoke an international incident? Perhaps we came close, after few beers, which incited some of us to perform a kind of karaoke singing: "Would you Please, Please Help Me...."...Ohh
man!!!  Luckily for us the teachers were like devout Roman Catholic girls and after
exchanging some cell phone numbers most of us retired early.

Hooked on

Next day rappelling! Anyone with stamina joined in and at the end only one was injured, against all odds! Poor Maamar suffered a serious foot fracture and was not able to jump for weeks to come.

We all felt sorry for him and blamed it on the equipment which wasn't a good combination of rope and hardware to start with. River crossing on a raft was the next ordeal, but swiftly cancelled due to "tourist packing" by attendees. Meaning almost everybody was carrying some
kind of camera or non water-resistant cell phone. Which resulted in one Thai instructor retrieving some of them from the muddy bottom. And one laughing pathfinder instructor rolling sideways in the grass while gasping for air.

After saying our goodbyes a the Lop Buri Special Warfare center and a swift and decisive raid on the town shops of Lop Buri, we went to see the Thai Army Museum before returning to Bangkok.

Thursday: ground training.
Other equipment, different procedures and a team split up in a class for round canopy jumping and one smaller class for free-falling with squares. I joined the latter with Etta from Hong Kong and Alice from the UK. Jason Snailham was our instructor. He had been prepping us since 

Tuesday: basic elementary on squares, hand signals in free-fall, body positions, canopy check, cutting away and exit procedures to name just a few of the lessons learned. Now we could practise some of them in the jump tower. A luxury not commonly seen on private owned jump schools.

Special warfare centre museum

Saturday was the big day and time just flew. Procedures were repeated and again and again, and confidence grew hand in hand with feeling cool and relaxed about it. Cool karma collective embedded in our minds. Having fun? Lets jump!

Finally Friday.  At the hotel in the morning it's packing for destination Drop zone in Cambodia, another country I never travelled to either. Some excitement was growing along the team, Thailand was fun, hot, sometimes a bit uncomfortable, but we didn't jump. That's what we travelled for, been instructed for the past days, the overall objective in our minds. The goal of our journeys from wherever we came. Some few hundred kilometres more of flying today and it will happen at last. Thank god it's Friday!

After thanking the Thai Instructors for their hospitality and a warm goodbye from Maamar who for obvious reasons stayed behind at the LRRP barracks. We went to Bangkok IA and landed in Phnom Penh just a few hours later.

Forward elements of the 991 brigade awaited us upon arrival and led us through customs like we were VIPs. We were then transported in one of their buses to Fort Kambol. We received a warm welcome by none less of their own general and exchanged pleasantry. Later on we rode with the same bus to inspect the drop zone, recently cleared of mines. For which Cambodia has a special relief committee; for they do have more mines than people, next 12 generations included.  After checking in the hotel we al had a good meal, shared beer and yours
truly went to bed early.

Shooting range

Saturday: Oh Yeah!  Breakfast, same bus and of to the drop zone we went. Instead of the day before the drop zone looked different. The Helicopter (an MI-8) was already there and had attracted an enormous crowd. As I also have been told by my good friend Jasper, who went the year before as well, the Cambodians like to bring their families over to such an event. He
was right and to me it seemed that Cambodian families are huge. Jason appointed me to bear the brunt and whispered in my ear "miss the drop zone please, a lot of these kids will enthusiastically come running at you while you decent upon them"

Determined not to change the drop zone in another killing field I obliged. Before the MI-8 lifted off it was just an transport vehicle being cramped in the usual way as is common in that region of the world. Yes, no chickens included this time. At 3000 ft the static-liners were pushed out by the jump masters, then we rose to 10.0000 ft. As hot as it was on the ground and up to 3000 ft, the cooler the thin air became. This was getting far worse than the airco at the hotel, time to get out.  Jason asked half shouting "ready to jump?" my head shivered from cold, he took it for a yes.

The rest is history and most of all a wonderful memory. First freefall, first helicopter jump, first time in Cambodia, first time on tour with Pathfinder UK, first prop-blast party I hardly remember.... 
See you guys in Arnhem, a new member awaits you there!

Patrick A.M. Hoogsteden

(R)CPL Royal Dutch Territorial Army.  

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Poland    May 2006  

“25^th Air Cavalry Brigade”   

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On the 2^nd of May I set off on one of the best Parachuting trips I have been on yet.

I set off From Cardiff Airport to Fly to Warsaw in Poland; I arrived early at Warsaw Airport and Found a Bar to have a Drink while I awaited the arrival of the Other Members of the Party.

After a while I saw a face I recognised, it was Paul Maier, from Germany, a Former DDR Paratrooper.

We then shared a couple of Beers while we waited for Adi schoemer, and Bernie Hasenbein’s Party to arrive,

To my surprise fellow Pathfinder Member Rowland Rehill, also arrived.

The Group consisted of some Italian Paras, from ANPDI, a group of Norwegian Soldiers, and also an American Group, a couple of Germans and us Brits.

Once we had all arrived a coach, for the journey to Nowy Glinnik, where the host unit was based, picked us up.

The unit was  “ The 25^th Air Cavalry Brigade”.

Instead of putting us in their Barracks as expected we were taken to a local hotel, which would be our accommodation for the next few days.

This was great as it was in a small village with a few Bars very close by.

Next Morning it was an Early Breakfast followed by a short trip to the 25^th Air cavalry base where we began with full documentation checks and theoretical training, and very comprehensive ground training, including aircraft drills for the W3 Sokol  (Falcon) Helicopter that we would be jumping from, this was a Lynx sized helicopter Armed with 20mm cannons, missile pylons, and mounts for 4 7.62mm PKS GPMG.

We were also introduced to the Polish military Parachute that we would be using; it was the Kadet, very similar to a Para commander chute.

It was very Responsive and gave a very Soft landing.

We then spent the day learning and practicing various Polish drills and doing lots of PLF’s and also some PT as well.

Later that evening they had a Special Treat for us we would be having Lessons from Polish Special forces instructors in a Knife fighting technique, that was very physical and very impressive, I really enjoyed this.

The Next Day was also an early start and followed with more PT and Ground training, a Polish Military Doctor then examined us, to make sure we were all fit to Jump.

We then prepared and Fitted Parachutes ready for the Days Jumping.

We then carried out 3 jumps from the W3 Sokol Helicopter, which I really Enjoyed, jumps were executed from 1000metres onto a very large DZ, which some people Managed to miss.

That evening we had another Knife Fighting Lesson, which involved more PT and lots of Bruises.

The next morning after another early start we returned to the camp again, where we did a little more PT and Prepared for our final two jumps from an Antonov AN2, after the First Jump of the Morning the Wind was getting a little high and they decided that the Next lift was the Last, Paddy Managed to Get on Both lifts.

We then set off on the coach to another Military base where we would use the Range, we would be using the Beryl or Tantal Rifle a Polish Kalashnikov in 5.56mm Nato Calibre, we would shoot for the polish Army Shooting Badge, there were some very good shots who managed to achieve the required scores, to get awarded the Badge in either Bronze Silver or Gold.

This was very interesting for me as an Armourer.

We then had lunch, Polish range Stew, which was very nice, served in Polish Mess tins from a Norwegian, in the traditional Military manner.

After this it was on to another Range where we were introduced to the Glock 17, there was also some Good shooting here as well.

After that we then travelled by coach to a WW2 Bunker that was used to Hide the German Armoured Trains used on the Eastern front, this was an amazing bunker over 330 metres long with a network of underground tunnels.

After the war the Warsaw Pact Armies used this bunker as an Ammunition storage facility.

There were various relics from the war to look at and even a couple of guys dressed in WW2 German uniform and a working 75mm Pak Howitzer as well.

After the trip to the Bunker it was back to the Hotel to get ready for the Party that would take place that night.

The Party was held in a Very impressive wooden Chalet type restraint and was to be quite a formal affair, with a Formal Presentation, Wings being Presented by the Brigade Commander.

The food was rational Polish with a Roast Suckling Pig, and followed by Live Music and Dancing, and Lots of Good Polish beer.

It was a very Enjoyable Evening.

The Next Morning after Breakfast it was Time to say our Farewells and pack up ready for the coach ride back to Warsaw.

Those of us that had decided to stay an extra night found a suitable hotel in central Warsaw; we were treated to a very good deal at the Marriott Hotel negotiated by an American colonel, who was part of our group.

We then decided to visit the Polish Military Museum, which was one of the Best Museums that I have been to, in the courtyard were a huge amount of former Warsaw Pact military vehicles and Aircraft including the Scud B, and Hip and Hind Helicopters, and Various Tanks.

The museum covered all Polish conflicts from medieval times up to the Second World War, and even had an Arnhem section with Sosabowski’s original Field Uniform.

There was also a very comprehensive Napoleonic section, which was also very impressive.

After the museum we had a Tradional Polish meal, and went to see the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

We then had a walk around the old town of Warsaw and then it was back to the Hotel to get a few hours sleep before getting up for a very early flight home

This was one of the Best trips that I have ever Been on the standard of Training and professionalism of the 25^th Air Cavalry was very impressive, and above all they were brilliant hosts, this trip was organised by Adi Schoemer and Bernie Hasenbein, and I would recommend these guys to anyone, Great Jumps, Great People, Great Fun!

There will be another trip to this unit late in July where you will get to jump the Antonov AN 28, a Ramp Jump that you will probably not get anywhere else, Do Not Miss Out on this Trip!

Rich  

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ESTONIA 2006  Its a family affair.

The course to Estonia this year had a few problems logistically this year, but I made a decision to go regardless as I had the leave booked and always enjoy the travelling part.  Most of the interested parties for the course had defaulted to the next Estonian course for 2007, so instead of going all alone, I decided to take my 17-year-old son, Mathew along.  He was very excited about the prospect, so we booked our tickets and flew out of Gatwick on Tuesday 30th May 2006.  

We landed in Tallinn late on Tuesday evening and had booked a hotel close to the town square and various sightseeing places.  Early on Wednesday morning we started exploring the town centre, shops and surroundings and were continually surprised by all the new things we found, were seeing and experienced.  Tallinn is a fantastic city, continually re-inventing itself but retaining the medieval history, culture and buildings that makes this city unique. 

On Thursday morning Andrei at the hotel met us.  Andrei is a giant of a man, full of experience and just the type of person you want close by when a bar fight breaks out.  We made our way to an isolated part of the forest, where a friend of his owns a large tract of land and is used for training, youth camps and other activities.  We spent the day shooting a variety of handguns, namely Glock &, Smith & Wesson, after which we progressed onto semi automatic weapons, namely Uzi, MPK, MP5of which some, were silenced.  Andrei taught us to use some of his newly acquired laser sighting devices, which make it possible to fire a semi from a standing position, keeping both eyes open and yet having a laser sight on the target at the same time.  We also used fully automatic weapons and the G35 was a treat.  There was another weapon Andrei introduced us to, which he playfully named 'the coffee grinder'.  It’s an American made fully automatic rifle, which has a canister on top of the barrel, as well as a clip that feeds through the bottom.  On fully auto, it will fire 20 rounds per second and is very accurate.  Check out the photo gallery for the pictures.  

Once we were done, we spent some time on shotgun practice were Andrei showed us his talents, telling us appropriately that h had just won the Estonian shotgun shooting title in 2006, his results clearly showing it.  We struggled bravely on to try and compete and then the owner of the property approached us and asked if we would hunt the platypus population on his farm, as the animals were destroying his wooden structures and trees.  We agreed and started to hunt them with the shotgun.  I had hopes of bagging one, but the day's shooting had obviously driven them underground, in more ways that one and we were unsuccessful on this attempt. 

Friday was tactical rappelling day and again the physical demands and mental toughness of this event did not disappoint.  We spent most of the day rappelling up and down the 5 storey building, learning building entry, shooting paintballs at each other as part of the exercise and finishing off with some Aussie and Spiderman rappel.  This part always gives me the heebie jeebies and it always seems to be like committing suicide, but surviving the ordeal.  I was very proud of my son, at this stage, who stuck to every event, did every exercise and didn't chicken out of a single one.  He loved the experience and wanted to do more of the Spiderman rappel, but my testicles and back was hurting so much from crawling down 5 stories in a harness, that I thought I was going to progress to ballet if I wasn't careful.  I tactfully declined the offer and watched him rappel a few times more.  

Friday afternoon was meant to be jump time, but a few hours before leaving for the DZ, the pilots called to say the AN-2 had failed a basic safety check and would not be ready.  Another aircraft was made ready for the following morning, but the weather turned sour and no jumps were possible.  This was disappointing and my son was somewhat gutted, but that's what you get with sports that rely on the weather. 

The trip was another success for us, even though it was very much of a family affair.  I have made tentative arrangements with ASOG to conduct a 5 day course towards the end of July next year, which will include attendance at the annual World Special Forces Display competition, held in Estonia, which attracts special forces from all over the world.  Watch this website for details.

JP Oosthuizen

1IC

Pathfinder South Africa

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 OPERATION MUSKETEER – ISRAEL JUNE 2006 

It was with fond memories of Israel that I arrived at the Ben Gurion International Airport just outside Tel Aviv in Israel on 25 June 2006.  I was in Israel to participate in the 50^th anniversary of the joint Anglo/French/Israeli airborne operation, Operation Musketeer, that helped to help secure the Suez Canal for the passage of free trade.  This jump was for qualified military jumpers only and was not for first time jumpers.

The whole event had been overseen by WO1 Yoav Dror of the IDF with the assistance of the IDF, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Tourism and the Israeli Federation of Parachuting.  The organisation from start to finish was first class and I was met at the airport by a lovely young lady who took me to the front of the arrivals and to a separate arrival booth, passport stamped, picked up my luggage and then a personal presentation by the Ministry of Tourism and then introduced to my driver that Yoav had arranged  

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