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
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
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