Awesome pic, Kathy!
LAPES (Low Altitude Parachute Extraction System)
Initial idea developed by Marine, Navy and AF pilots whose C-130s were being shot up at Khe Sahn in 1968. While landing and pushing out cargo.
Come in verrrrry low (5 to 12 feet) open up the parachute on a palletized piece of armor or cargo. Releade the Restraint Locks on both sides of the plane. Let the chute pull the cargo out.
We had two squadrons of Herks out of five that trained and used LAPES during exercises at Pope AFB and Ft. Campbell. One one exercise the Loadmaster released early and an M-166 Sheridan Fast Recon Vehicle (The same type of armored track as in the photo)made a very expensive hole in the ground (OOOOPS!)
Jack.
Seeing the stuff that is shoved out the back of those planes is impressive. Thanks for all the neat commentary.
Does one assume that the armored track became inoperable? Does one also assume that this type of early release is how you learn what not to do again?