Military

Mastering the Jump

Master Sgt. David Biddinger, 563rd Rescue Group jumpmaster course instructor, had experience working at the school in Yuma before being stationed at D-M about four years ago.

“We realized that the Air Force had a need for the jumpmaster course,” Biddinger said. “Working with contacts in U.S. Special Operations Command and at the MFFS, we were able to convince the Army and Air Force of that need.”

During an approximately 3 1/2 year process, Biddinger worked with the 68th Rescue Flight/Guardian Angel Formal Training Unit to establish a new SOCOM approved course at D-M.

You've reached your daily free article limit.

Subscribe and support our veteran writing staff to continue reading.

Get Full Ad-Free Access For Just $0.50/Week

Enjoy unlimited digital access to our Military Culture, Defense, and Foreign Policy coverage content and support a veteran owned business. Already a subscriber?

Master Sgt. David Biddinger, 563rd Rescue Group jumpmaster course instructor, had experience working at the school in Yuma before being stationed at D-M about four years ago.

“We realized that the Air Force had a need for the jumpmaster course,” Biddinger said. “Working with contacts in U.S. Special Operations Command and at the MFFS, we were able to convince the Army and Air Force of that need.”

During an approximately 3 1/2 year process, Biddinger worked with the 68th Rescue Flight/Guardian Angel Formal Training Unit to establish a new SOCOM approved course at D-M.

“Getting officially recognized by the Army and SOCOM as a validated course is special, it is a difficult standard to attain,” Biddinger said. “This is the only Military Freefall Jumpmaster Course in the Air Force and it’s one of two in the Department of Defense.”

The course will graduate 12 Airmen at the end of its fifth 3-week-long rotation; reaching a total number of 58 certified jumpmasters.

“Before this course we only had the option of attending the school in Yuma,” Biddinger said. “We only saw about 28 slots per year spread between all the different groups that jump in the Air Force.”

Read More- Shadow Spear

Image courtesy of Shadow Spear

About SOFREP News Team View All Posts

The SOFREP News Team is a collective of professional military journalists. Brandon Tyler Webb is the SOFREP News Team's Editor-in-Chief. Guy D. McCardle is the SOFREP News Team's Managing Editor. Brandon and Guy both manage the SOFREP News Team.

COMMENTS

You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article.

More from SOFREP

REAL EXPERTS.
REAL NEWS.

Join SOFREP for insider access and analysis.

TRY 14 DAYS FREE

Already a subscriber? Log In