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Australian Defence Force Parachuting School

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Parachute Training School
Active12 August 1951–present[1]
CountryAustralia
BranchArmy
Part ofDefence Special Operations Training and Education Centre
Garrison/HQHMAS Albatross, Nowra, New South Wales
Motto(s)Knowledge Dispels Fear[2]

The Australian Defence Force Parachuting School is an Australian Army unit part of the Defence Special Operations Training and Education Centre (DSOTEC) that provides training in parachuting techniques, develops parachute doctrine and techniques and conducts trial-evaluations of parachute systems and associated equipment. The school is based adjacent to HMAS Albatross, Nowra, New South Wales.[2]

History

A Military Support Services VH-MQD CASA C-212-CC Aviocar as used by the Australian Army Parachute Display Team

The first parachute training unit was formed in 1942 the Paratroop Training Unit (PTU) and at the end of the war was disbanded.[2] On 12 August 1951, the Parachute Training Wing was formed as a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) unit at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales.[2][3] The unit's first Commanding Officer/Chief Instructor was Squadron Leader C.A.V. Bourne.[3] The instructors on the staff were both Army and RAAF personnel.[3] The first course of trainees commenced in September 1951.[3] In 1958, the wing was renamed the Parachute Training Flight.[2]

The Army assumed responsibility for parachute training on 14 May 1974 and the school was renamed the Parachute Training School, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Harry Smith.[2][3] The school relocated to Naval Air Station HMAS Albatross in 1986 and has continued its role there until the present.[2][3]

On 1 October 2011, the school transferred from Forces Command (FORCOMD) to Special Operations Command (SOCOMD).[4][1] On 19 November 2019, the SOCOMD training units were reorganised with the school renamed the Australian Defence Force Parachuting School and placed under the command of the newly raised Defence Special Operations Training and Education Centre.[2][5]

Structure

A parachute rigger during a jump

The school is believed to be organised as follows:[6]

  • Headquarters – co-ordinates the functions of the School.
  • Training Wing – conducts all parachute training activities of the School.
  • Development Wing (DEV WING) – conducts evaluation and testing of personnel parachute systems and associated equipment.
  • Parachute Maintenance Wing (PMW) – stores repairs and repacks all personnel parachutes.
  • Logistic Support Wing – stores, transport, medical and catering.

Aircraft used in training

References

  1. ^ a b Wiseman, Spr Nick (1 September 2011). "Para school celebrates" (PDF). Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper (1263 ed.). Canberra: Department of Defence. ISSN 0729-5685. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Australian Defence Force Parachuting School". Australian Army. 20 November 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "A History of Military Parachuting in Australia since World War II". Australian Army. 2001. Archived from the original on 18 November 2001.
  4. ^ Stevens, LTCOL Matt (April 2016). "Airfield Seizure: Rangers Lead the Way" (PDF). Commando news / Australian Commando Association Inc. No. 7. Surfers Paradise, Qld: Statewide Publishing P/L. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
  5. ^ Beurich, Cpl Sebastian (12 December 2019). "A merger for the future" (PDF). Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper (1457 ed.). Canberra: Department of Defence. ISSN 0729-5685. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  6. ^ "PTS Unit Information". Australian Army. 2001. Archived from the original on 24 November 2001.
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