Hesse: Bundeswehr trains parachute jumps in Edersee

Waldeck (dpa/lhe) - Your jump from a height of 400 meters only takes about 90 seconds: Around 200 soldiers from the Rapid Forces Division in Stadtallendorf (Marburg-Biedenkopf district) practiced the "emergency water landing procedure" on Tuesday on the North Hessian Edersee.

Hesse: Bundeswehr trains parachute jumps in Edersee

Waldeck (dpa/lhe) - Your jump from a height of 400 meters only takes about 90 seconds: Around 200 soldiers from the Rapid Forces Division in Stadtallendorf (Marburg-Biedenkopf district) practiced the "emergency water landing procedure" on Tuesday on the North Hessian Edersee. According to the Bundeswehr, this safety training is one of the most difficult maneuvers for a parachutist.

Jumping was done with automatic umbrellas that open immediately. The M28 "Skytruck" aircraft with the parachutists on board took off from the Fritzlar Army Air Base (Schwalm-Eder district).

According to the Bundeswehr, the "emergency procedure for water landing" is used if, contrary to the original plan, a paratrooper does not reach the ground on land, but above the water surface. "Then it is important for him to get rid of his equipment as quickly as possible in order to come ashore and continue to carry out his mission in the best possible way," it said in a press release.

The procedure should therefore be practiced at regular intervals if possible. During the last two years, however, such an exercise could not be carried out due to the corona pandemic. According to the information, the soldiers also faced a special challenge this year: Their landing area was smaller than usual due to the very low water level of the Edersee.