U.S. Soldiers and Marines tested low-cost parachute system in Kuwait

Soldiers and Marines partnered to train with and test a low-cost parachute system at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Dec. 10, 2018. Capt. Jerry Duong and 1st Lt. Andrew Garrido report on U.S. Army's website.

Soldiers from the 524th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion conducting recovery operations after completing a joint aerial delivery mission with the Special Purpose Marine Ground Task Force on Dec. 10, 2018, Camp Buehring, Kuwait. (Photo credit: Capt. Jerry Duong)

Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Central Command Marines released four low-velocity-low-cost, four high-velocity-high-cost, and two Joint Precision Aerial Delivery Systems from a KC-130J onto the Udairi Training Grounds drop zone at Camp Buehring. "We took the parachute that was right by the expiration date and loaded them with four 55-gallon drums of water. Each load weighed approximately about 2000 lbs. said Sgt. 1st Class Larry Carter, 300th Sustainment Brigade senior aerial delivery technician. "It was a successful drop. All the loads came out properly, parachute executed properly, and hit the ground properly."

U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center (NSRDEC), Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland, develops and tests new materials for the U.S. Army. NSRDEC will test the samples to determine the actual life-span of the parachutes, and using their full life-cycle ultimately saves taxpayer dollars. "We cut a piece of the material out of each parachute system and sent it to Natick Labs in order to test the elasticity strength of the canopy," said Carter. He believes the parachutes have another five years of potential use, saving the U.S. Army in excess of $25 million.

The joint event also provided training on proper systems use and employment for Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Central Command Marines, and 824th Quartermaster Company, 524th Combat Supply Sustainment Battalion, 300th Sustainment Brigade, and 1st Theater Sustainment Command Soldiers.