United States Army Airborne School

United States Army Airborne School
Unit name	United States Army Airborne School
Caption	Parachute training at Fort Benning
Dates	Renamed multiple times since 1940s
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Role	Airborne training
Garrison	Fort Moore
Nickname	The Jump School
Motto	Initiation by Jump

United States Army Airborne School is the primary parachute training center for United States Army personnel, providing basic and advanced airborne instruction. The School evolved from World War II-era parachute training programs and operates at a major United States Army installation, supporting joint training with the United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, and allied militaries. Its graduates have served in conflicts from World War II through Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

History

Airborne training in the United States began during the early 1940s as the Army expanded airborne capabilities for World War II operations such as Operation Husky and Operation Overlord. Early instructors included veterans of the First Special Service Force and members of the Parachute Test Platoon, while airborne doctrine drew on experiences from the British Parachute Regiment and lessons from the Fallschirmjäger. Postwar reorganization integrated airborne schools into major Army posts; the institution at its current location traces lineage through the Airborne Command, Army Infantry School, and Cold War-era training establishments. During the Vietnam War, graduates supported operations such as Operation Junction City and later Cold War contingencies like the Berlin Crisis of 1961. The School adapted through the post-Cold War era to support expeditionary operations in Somalia, Kosovo War, and the Global War on Terror.

Organization and Location

The School is organized under an airborne training brigade within the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command structure, reporting to a major Army center at Fort Moore, previously known as Fort Benning. It coordinates with the United States Army Infantry School, 82nd Airborne Division, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), and joint assets from Air Mobility Command and the United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence. The student population includes soldiers from active duty, United States Army Reserve, and Army National Guard, as well as international students from NATO members such as United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and partner nations including Ukraine and Georgia.

Training Curriculum

The School's curriculum comprises Ground Week, Tower Week, and Jump Week, with instruction in parachute landing falls, aircraft exit techniques, and night operations. Ground instruction references canopy control doctrines developed in conjunction with the Parachute Industry Association and lessons from airborne operations like Operation Market Garden. Tower training uses mock aircraft doors and 34-foot towers modeled after early training devices used by the U.S. Army Air Forces and informed by testing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Jump Week includes static line jumps from aircraft such as the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, and rotary-wing insertion techniques occasionally practiced with the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk. Advanced courses cover heavy drop techniques, rigging procedures with the 545th Quartermaster Company (Airdrop), and pathfinder and jumpmaster certification aligned with Joint Chiefs of Staff doctrine.

Selection and Eligibility

Candidates must meet medical standards established by the Department of Defense and receive approvals from unit commanders and medical officers. Eligibility criteria parallel standards used by specialized units including the 75th Ranger Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, and aviation units requiring parachute-qualified personnel. Prospective students often have prior completion of Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training or equivalent service-specific initial courses. International students are nominated through defense cooperation channels such as Security Force Assistance agreements and bilateral training memoranda with ministries like the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence.

Facilities and Equipment

Key facilities include drop zones, mock aircraft fuselages, 34-foot and 250-foot towers, parachute lofts, and aircraft maintenance support shared with Air Mobility Command units. The School employs parachute systems such as the T-11 parachute and previous models like the T-10, along with auxiliary equipment including reserve systems certified by Federal Aviation Administration-aligned testing protocols and logistics support by the Quartermaster Corps. Drop zones are managed in coordination with range control at Fort Moore and airspace authorities including Federal Aviation Administration regional offices and NATO airspace coordination centers during multinational exercises.

Safety and Injuries

Safety procedures follow standardized risk management frameworks codified by the Department of the Army and incorporate lessons from historical airborne incidents like accidents during Operation Varsity rehearsals and high-tempo training mishaps. Medical response capabilities on-site include evacuation to Wright Army Community Hospital and coordination with regional trauma centers. Common injuries—ankle sprains, fractures, and canopy entanglements—are mitigated through progressive training, equipment inspections by Parachute Rigger personnel, and strict adherence to airworthiness and loadmaster checks used by Military Airlift Command successors.

Notable Graduates and Legacy

Graduates include distinguished airborne leaders and public figures who served in units such as the 82nd Airborne Division and the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), as well as Medal of Honor recipients from airborne operations in World War II and Korean War campaigns. The School's legacy influenced special operations doctrine used by units like United States Army Special Forces, 17th Special Tactics Squadron, and multinational airborne forces exemplified by joint training with the French Foreign Legion and Israeli Defense Forces. Commemorations occur at Fort Moore monuments and in airborne associations including the Airborne and Special Operations Museum and veteran organizations such as the Parachute Rigger Association.

Category:United States Army training establishments