Fort Bragg commander addresses paratrooper refresher training in light of recent deaths
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (WTVD) -- Fort Bragg leaders have temporarily halted airborne training in light of recent paratrooper deaths, putting the focus on jumpmaster leaders.
"The key was to say we had two (deaths) in ten days," said Lieutenant General Joseph Anderson, commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps. "Nobody wants to lose a paratrooper, and the pain from the Chain-of Command out in support of the families....Again-we don't like this at all."
Leaders announced refresher training for jumpmasters on Thursday evening, following the training deaths of two 82nd Airborne paratroopers. Specialist Nicholas Roberts, 27, died on Fort Bragg earlier in the week. Last month, Private Joshua Phillips, 19, died on Fort Polk in Louisiana.
While little is known about incidents, common denominators included the use of the Army's newest T-11 model parachutes, and the relative inexperience of the young paratroopers.
Both incidents are still under investigation, but they were very different scenarios, said Anderson.
"That was little more explainable based upon the condition of what happened in the air," said Anderson, referring to Phillips' incident. "When this one occurred (Roberts) it was not as readily apparent what the challenges were. The two were very different, but unfortunately with the same result."
"What's important is we learn from accidents, mistakes, and it's a constant assessment of the process," Anderson continued.
On Thursday, jumpmasters watched videos demonstrating good and bad jumps. An emphasis was placed on the paratroopers' proper exit from the aircraft, as well as the how much of a load the soldier is carrying.
Anderson pointed out the T-11's are harder to pack, and are bulkier, making the exit from the aircraft more challenging. The previous models were most often tied to landing injuries given how quickly paratroopers would reach the ground.
With relatively new parachutes, the challenges are still being identified, and the training is crucial. Anderson said everything from the seating process to the static line control, fatigue, and dehydration are being addressed.
"(It's) making them more aware of how to be watching and how to be more vigilant is what these videos will help them understand," Anderson said.
"It's basically to train the trainers," said First Sergeant Jonas Woodruff, Fort Bragg's master jumpmaster.
Woodruff has been stationed at Bragg for nearly 20 years, and has hundreds of jumps under his belt. He said reinforcing the basics is always important.
"That's my every day job regardless of what may have occurred," he said. "It's all about delivery to the battlefield."
The roughly 200 paratroopers currently training are expected to be back in aircrafts by Monday evening.
"We can't stay off the horse for a week, months, (or) we'll never catch up," Anderson said.
But the commander said he has no issue taking the time to address some serious concerns highlighted by Roberts' and Phillips' deaths.
"The issue is transparency," Anderson said. "There's nothing to hide here. The issue is about telling the truth. It's about the facts, and again-we just want to get better and not lose any more paratroopers."
