The packed C130 is flying due north -- mission top secret, destination "Bowie Dropzone" --
You always knew this day could happen and now it has arrived. You got to do it, you can't let yourself or the 53 other troopers down.You must complete the mission. The mood is light and no one outwardly hints that they are scared, but you have butterflies.
You waddle to the aircraft and get seated. Your legs touching those to your left and right. Your knees touching those of the man across from you. Your 70+ pound rucksack balances on your upper legs. After a 2-hour flight, in your slumber, from the rear of the aircraft, you hear the jumpmaster yell his commands above the roar of the engines:
"20 minutes" -- You undo your useless seatbelt and repeat the command in unison with those who are awake, waking everyone else up.
"10 minutes" -- The command is echoed and you put your helmet on and tighten your chin strap.
The Jumpmaster does a a door check and confirms that we are headed to the correct location, he spots the BLUE panel marking the center of Bowie Dropzone. He quickly follows with a loud and thunderous "Get Ready" --
"Outboard Personnel - Stand-up" -- The trooper across from you struggles to stand in the confined space, balancing 130+ pounds of parachute and equipment on his frame.
"Inboard Personnel - Stand-up" -- The trooper extends his hand and pulls you upright -- It's like standing on the crowdiest, bumpiest train ride ever only this train is moving at 150 knots 900 feet above the ground.
""Hook-Up" -- You hook your static line to the anchor line cable -- you know if you do this wrong, your parachute will fail to open.
"Check Static Lines" -- The mood is no longer jovial and it is all business -- do this wrong and the consequences for you and your buddies could be fatal.
"Check Equipment" -- You don't want to be tangled anywhere or to anyone else
"Sound Off for Equipment Check" -- Somewhere behind you, you hear a series of "OKAYs" until you feel a slap on your backside -- You yell "OKAY" and slap the man in front of you.
The last man yells "ALL OK JUMPMASTER"
"Stand-by" -- the light above the door is ominously RED
The Jumpmaster makes a final door check - this time, he sees the WHITE question mark on the panel.
"30 seconds" -- You feel the aircraft slow to jump speed, kind of...didn't it?
GREEN Light --
GO!
Not bad for a cherry jumper, you've got potential. You almost hit the center of the drop zone. In fact, you are only about BA meters away at a bearing of AB0 degrees from the center of the dropzone.
What color chem lights will be used at the assembly area?
What squad are you in?
AB = the number of jumpers before the safety makes his door check.