Airborne!

The coveted wings. "Put silver wings upon his chest..."




















This past Friday, Queen Felicia and I were privileged to attend the graduation of our son's Airborne training.

One of the toughest, most demanding and dangerous schools in the U.S. Military, it is not for the timid under any circumstance.
This class had even more challenges, with the average temperature of 102, and the THI hitting 120 several times during the three week training.

The military is big on tradition and recognition of those that preceded our current warriors.
The first Americans to test combat parachutes used this very same facility, and developed the methods and equipment still used here.

The original Airborne warhorse, the C-47














The Queen handles the video, I shoot the stills!



















The big jump towers, normally used during week two. They are most likely to be phased out.
Our soldier never used them.




































































































Bravo Company double times in to the graduation, singing and marching cadence.




The Black Hats (Airborne Instructors. His platton Black Hat was a Marine, well liked by all)

Ariel is in the third rank in the back, wearing BDU's (dark forest camo, all ROTC cadets were told to wear them, even though some did not)




"First Sgt reports this class prepared to graduate, sir!"



A proud mom with her newly pinned (by his equally proud dad!) Airborne Trooper.



























"General, this Airborne class has graduated"






Double time back to the company area and prepare to Party!

















Black and Yellow are Army colors, (Also App State) Red signifies Airborne.
Should he be permanently attached to an Airborne unit he is authorized to wear the Red Beret.
























The worst thing that happened to him was landing in a pile of fire ants on his night jump (one of five to qualify, two wearing full combat gear).
And starting out the semester with a bad case of bronchitis, which his room mate passed on to everyone.

Job well done, Trooper!