History 2007 part 2   Part 1   Part 3

Charity jump for Combat stress 9th June 2007

http://www.combatstress.org.uk  

Rosie Gibbons the Fundraising Officer

Representing the Pathfinder parachute group Frank Gallacher Did a charity jump for the charity COMBAT STRESS

To read more on the charity combat stress click the link above

 

Frank was allocated a slot for his jump at Netheravon Army Camp.
9th June 2007 ,he trained and jumped a Square Canopy.

 

 Frank has not jumped using square canopy before  so did the beginners course.  
 

£500 was raised by frank and others for this event, Well done frank

 

  I would like everyone to feel, that they have contributed in everyway possible.

Frank

right frank

The Need for Combat Stress in
today's world

Since the end of World War 2, the vast majority of the British People have known nothing but peace. But it's been a very different story for the men and women of our armed forces. Time and again, they have been in the front line defending Britain's interests. In Brunei, Borneo, Indonesia, Malaya, the Falklands and the Gulf. More recently, they have played a central peace keeping role in the Balkans, Cambodia, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and elsewhere. And closer to home, many thousands have been involved during the thirty year long campaign in Northern Ireland, an operation that has perhaps been the most difficult and dangerous of all.

Each of these conflicts, without exception, has resulted in psychiatric casualties. And for many who are affected, the problems may take years, perhaps decades to surface.

The Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society, Combat Stress, exists to serve these men and women. For over 80 years, we have been the only services charity specialising in helping those of all ranks from the Armed Forces and the Merchant Navy suffering from psychological disability as a result of their service.

     _________________________________________________________

 

Jumping at Teuge with The Fallschirmjager Kameradenschaft - Kaiserslautern
,                                        by Steven Blacketer Pathfinder USA Sep.2007
 
Ed. Steve was unable to make any of our course dates and wanted to jump in Europe so I contacted Gunther and he put him on a course he had running at that time.
 

 

The Fallschirmjager Kameradenschaft - Kaiserslautern most generously made a place in their ranks for a Pathfinder USA member during the "Squares course"at the National Paracentrum of the Netherlands at Teuge .  FJK is one of our associated groups, functionally "Pathfinder Germany", and is under the direction of Gunther Kiefer.  "Gunnie" managed, on this occasion, to handle not only the shepherding of a student class through the squares course, but also brought a sizable contingent of FJK Members with him to participate in the 25km "Airborne March" at Arnhem.  Both efforts were addressed, and both were fully accomplished with the high degree of skill and style that characterizes FJK.

     The 5 member student class was a very motivated group, and completed the ground section and all five of the qualification jumps in excellent time, which is a notable achievement when one considers the event took place in the middle of the "Dutch Swoops" event at Lake Busloon. Student Jumpers and Expert Swoopers shared the C-208, jumping in wildly varying cloud base. Orchestrating this complex juggling act of matching skills, goals, and weather, was Simon Woerlee.  Simon, for those who have not had the pleasure of meeting him, is an exceptional individual, and watching him work leaves one with the impression that his cell phone is a direct line to God. I don't believe even one gap in the clouds went un-jumped.

    All five new wearers of the Nederlandische Fallschirmspringer Abziechen found the class to be a fulfillment of an ambition, and a great pleasure. Two of the Students were using this course to "celebrate" the completion of advanced training they had undergone as members of the Berlin Police Force. In addition to the camaraderie and attendant beer drinking at "De Wolk", The Membership of the FJK was treated to an astonishing display of Marksmanship by a young woman of the Dutch Military Police. In an attempt to engage the attention of a particular FJK member, she heaved an apple across the bar, through the milling crowd, and bounced it squarely off of his forehead. This remarkable snap shot had to be seen to be believed ...and not a drop of beer was spilled.
 
     My thanks to the Fallschirmjager Kameradschaft, to Gunni, and the Entire Crew at Teuge for there efforts, friendship, and the warm welcome they have given to us... These guys are terrific, and if you have the opportunity to jump with them, take it!
 
Steven Blacketer Pathfinder USA
 
Ed. Teueg has less wind than Texel with more chances of getting the round canopy jumps in. We will be looking towards attending more courses there in future.