Reeling in the chute

Staff Sgt. Brent Thornton, 22nd Special Tactics Squadron combat controller works to corral his parachute after landing in high winds near the echo ramp on McChord Field, Feb. 12, 2014 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Parachuting airmen can judge wind speeds base on a “V” pointing in the wind’s direction and from popped smoke provided by combat controllers on the ground. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Russ Jackson)

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Static line check

Master Sgt. Juan Moran, 22nd Special Tactics Squadron jumpmaster, inspects the parachute static line for Staff Sgt. Nathan Vogle, 22nd STS combat controller, Feb. 12, 2014 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The jumpmaster is responsible for the safety of all jumpers and must inspect each one before the parachutists jump. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Russ Jackson)

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Onloading the aircraft

Members of the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron load onto a C-17 Globemaster III, Feb. 12, 2014, to practice high altitude, low opening parachute jumping at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The jumpers performed three HALO jumps and two static line jumps. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Russ Jackson)

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Checking the manifest

Left, Master Sgt. Juan Moran, 22nd Special Tactics Squadron jumpmaster checks the jump manifest with Warrant Officer Dave Daly, 7th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, Feb. 12, 2014 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The members also calculate wind speed and the jumping point based on landmarks before arriving at the landing zone. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Russ Jackson)

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Preparing for landing

Senior Airman Christopher Beitia, 22nd Special Tactics Squadron combat controller spots his landing after his static line jump from a C-17 Globemaster III above McChord Field, Feb. 12, 2014 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Static line jumpers have limited maneuverability during their drop, so they must rely on the aircraft to drop them as close as possible to the landing zone. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Russ Jackson)

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Static drop

Airmen from the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron perform a static line jump from a C-17 Globemaster III at 1,000 feet above McChord Field, Feb. 12, 2014 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Static line jumps are used for immediate insertion into enemy territory and the 22nd STS Airmen practice them monthly. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Russ Jackson)

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HALO jump

Two 22nd Special Tactics Squadron Airmen perform a high altitude, low opening parachute jump, Feb. 12, 2014 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The airmen practice landing as close to their designated landing zone as possible. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Russ Jackson)

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Jump completed

After his high altitude, low opening jump, Airman 1st Class Nico Rodriguez, 22nd Special Tactics Squadron combat controller prepares to turn in his parachute to riggers at McChord Field, Feb. 12, 2014 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Once each parachute is accounted for, the riggers take custody of the parachutes and prepare them for the next jump. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Russ Jackson)

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Smoke popped, jumpers landing

Combat controllers from the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron perform a static line jump while spotters on the ground look on, Feb. 12, 2014, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The airmen try to land as close to the landing zone as they can in high winds. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Russ Jackson)

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22nd STS conducts jump training

Published Feb. 20, 2014

Reeling in the chute

Static line check

Onloading the aircraft

Checking the manifest

Preparing for landing

Static drop

HALO jump

Jump completed

Smoke popped, jumpers landing