Posted on Oct 14, 2022
Have the Jump Towers been removed from Ft Benning?
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Another retiree just told me that the Jump Towers have been replaced by a wind tunnel experience. A wind tunnel is going to replicate that first step off a Tower? Was the Tower injury rate excessive or were there too many refusals? SGT (Join to see)
Airborne School
Jump Pay
IDP (Imminent Danger Pay)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 19
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Say it isn't so. I’m not airborne but I served on Kelly Hill for a couple years and those towers came to mean something to me. History shouldn’t just be washed away. MHO
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Having completed jump training in October of 2022, the 250 foot towers were not used but a detail from my class helped to recertify them. The Black Hats said they would be used in the next cycle. Not sure if that happened as our unit hasn’t sent anyone after me. We used the 34 foot towers. Hope that helps.
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Towers are still there and will on into probably the NEXT century! The "Wind Tunnel" is completely useless for static line training. What is there at the Army School of Gravity works, has worked and will always work, producing ass kicking Paratroopers! Just Sayin' ...........AATW!!!!
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When I went in 2020, they were there but we did not use them. Too many accidents with people being blown into the towers, we were told. At that time it was up in the air if they would be used again.
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Several years back I read in the Army Times paper they were talking about removing the 250' towers or at least limiting thir use. It had to do with a number of trainees were getting blown into the tower and being severely injured.
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CSM Charles Hayden
SGT Doug Blanchard Many moons ago - 1950s - Jim Edmonds told of exiting one of those towers on a Windy day. He was blown across a nearby roadway and while checking to see if he was still alive, a Black Hat was in his face for a P P PLF!
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No idea about the towers, but I will share my story. My wife died in September 1979. The Army sent me to jump school in November in their infinite wisdom. Honestly, I did not care if the chute opened. I took about 70 jumps and five years on jump status before I learned I was not checking my chute after exiting the door. But that is another tale for another day.
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I am a graduate of Jump School 11/1971. Back about 10 years ago, my wife and I visited Ft. Benning and from what remember, the 250’ towers were back in operation then. As far as the jump platforms, I don’t want to go out on a limb and say I saw them also, but I’m sure they were there. We did simulated wind landings to practice releasing our harnesses.
As far as what was mentioned about the student quitting and being sent to Vietnam seems to be a head scratcher to me.
When I enlisted in the Army in 06/71 specifically to go and fight in Vietnam. I was one of those young men who grew up playing Army and when I saw “Elvis” in the military I knew that was my destiny. After completing AIT I was informed before graduation they weren’t sending anymore troops to Vietnam and asked if I wanted to go to jump school.
As far as what was mentioned about the student quitting and being sent to Vietnam seems to be a head scratcher to me.
When I enlisted in the Army in 06/71 specifically to go and fight in Vietnam. I was one of those young men who grew up playing Army and when I saw “Elvis” in the military I knew that was my destiny. After completing AIT I was informed before graduation they weren’t sending anymore troops to Vietnam and asked if I wanted to go to jump school.
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