Air Assault had not been invented when I was in Viet Nam (65-66), or I should say it was being invented while I was there.
While I was in the 101st Airborne, I had made a few jumps from a helicopter, but was never trained in exiting one, especially under fire. Once I got to Viet Nam, there was little time for training, and I can remember the first time I hit a hot LZ and the copter barely slowed down as we began jumping out a few feet above ground, getting our bearings and moving into the tree line.
I understand they have an Air Assault school now where they train for that sort of thing now, but I suspect even with training it is not easy.
Even when everything goes right, people get injured. It is a rough business.
I understand they have an Air Assault school now where they train for that sort of thing now, but I suspect even with training it is not easy. Roger that. Air Assault school is at Ft. Campbell with the 101st. My hard core ROTC buddy just went over there this past summer. It's a pretty demanding 12 days, but, apparently, the actual rappeling from choppers training is only the last three days of the school. The rest of the time they teach sling loads and knots while doing lots and lots of PT and road marches.