Basic Airborne Course

Basic Airborne Course
Name	Basic Airborne Course
Location	Fort Benning, Georgia
Established	1940s
Type	parachute training
Operator	United States Army United States Army Airborne School
Duration	3 weeks
Motto	"Aim High"

Basic Airborne Course The Basic Airborne Course is a three-week parachute training program conducted at Fort Benning, Georgia that prepares soldiers for airborne operations by teaching static-line parachuting and airborne tactics; graduates proceed to assignments with units such as the 82nd Airborne Division, 101st Airborne Division, 173rd Airborne Brigade and other formations. The course integrates airborne doctrine used by formations like the XVIII Airborne Corps, incorporates techniques developed since World War II campaigns including the Normandy landings and Operation Market Garden, and produces paratroopers who serve in units deploying to theaters including Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Overview

The Basic Airborne Course is administered by the United States Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia and is attended by personnel from branches including the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, United States Navy, and allied militaries such as British Armed Forces trainees and the Canadian Army. The program emphasizes airborne proficiency derived from historical precedents like the Soviet Airborne Forces, German Fallschirmjäger, and techniques showcased during the Battle of Crete, while aligning with doctrine promulgated by institutions like the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command and coordinated with airborne-capable units such as the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and multinational formations like NATO's Allied Rapid Reaction Corps.

History and Development

Origins trace to World War II developments including the formation of the U.S. Army Airborne Command and early units like the 82nd Airborne Division and 101st Airborne Division whose actions at Operation Overlord and Operation Market Garden influenced curriculum. Postwar evolution incorporated lessons from the Korean War, Vietnam War, and Cold War era exercises such as Operation Power Pack and NATO maneuvers, with doctrinal input from entities like the U.S. Army War College and studies referencing airborne operations in conflicts like Falklands War airborne concepts and Soviet practices during the Soviet–Afghan War. Modernization involved aircraft transitions from models like the Douglas C-47 Skytrain to platforms including the Lockheed C-130 Hercules and Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, and regulatory updates by the Department of Defense and the U.S. Army Airborne School.

Curriculum and Training Phases

Training is organized into phases—Ground Week, Tower Week, and Jump Week—mirroring methods developed from historical airborne training programs used by the British Parachute Regiment and the French 2nd Parachute Regiment. Ground Week covers parachute landing fall techniques and equipment familiarization taught with references to procedures codified by the U.S. Army Airborne School and influenced by safety lessons from incidents involving units such as the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Tower Week uses training towers modeled after those from earlier programs at Camp Toccoa and incorporates static-line procedures akin to those used by the Red Army airborne units. Jump Week culminates in five qualifying parachute jumps from aircraft including the C-130 Hercules and rotary-wing platforms, reflecting operational standards observed during exercises like Operation Just Cause and NATO airborne operations.

Qualification and Graduation Requirements

Graduation requires successful completion of ground training, tower rehearsals, and five qualifying static-line parachute jumps, consistent with standards enforced by the U.S. Army and internationally recognized by partners like United Kingdom Ministry of Defence and the Canadian Department of National Defence. Candidates must meet medical and physical criteria similar to those established by military medical authorities such as the U.S. Army Medical Command and have administrative clearance by units like the U.S. Army Human Resources Command; upon graduation soldiers receive airborne designation and are often assigned to units including the 82nd Airborne Division or deployed to joint commands like United States European Command.

Safety and Risk Management

Safety protocols are governed by directives from the Department of Defense and training safety offices within the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, incorporating lessons from historical airborne mishaps studied by bodies like the National Transportation Safety Board in aviation safety contexts and military accident review boards. Risk mitigation includes aircraft maintenance standards used by operators of the C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster III, parachute equipment inspections drawing on manufacturers with histories connected to innovations by companies that supplied gear in World War II, and medical contingency plans coordinated with units such as the 91st Medical Group and evacuation protocols exemplified during operations like Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Notable Alumni and Units

Alumni include paratroopers who served with famed formations like the 82nd Airborne Division, 101st Airborne Division, 173rd Airborne Brigade, and individuals who later held leadership roles in organizations such as United States Central Command, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and national security positions. Notable operations involving graduates span the D-Day landings, Market Garden, Operation Just Cause, Operation Desert Storm, and later campaigns including Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom where airborne units played key roles.

International Variants and Cooperation

Allied nations maintain comparable programs in formations such as the British Parachute Regiment's training at Airborne Forces School, the French Army's École de Troupes Aéroportées, and airborne schools within the Canadian Armed Forces; multinational training exchanges occur during exercises like Noble Eagle, Trident Juncture, and NATO's annual drills. Cooperative training and interoperability initiatives involve agencies such as NATO, bilateral programs with the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence, and partnership engagements with countries deploying airborne-capable units including Australia and New Zealand, ensuring compatibility of techniques, aircraft like the C-130 Hercules, and doctrinal approaches stemming from shared historical experiences.

Category:Military training