Page 194 - AGC-Journal-2016

AGC JOURNAL 2016

AGC

Parachuting 2016

By Captain Sean Sapsford

A new year, a new team and Instructors and Parachute Skydiving League &
another United Kingdom Displays National Championships

National Championships.
This year has also seen real progression Already mentioned, this year was all
This Year’s Focus on the Display Team front with Captain about AGC Red – six training weekends
Laura Wealsby, Captain Chris Fawcett
coupled with professional coaching and
and Sergeant Colin Jenkins all achieving vertical wind tunnel training prepared
This year the focus has been AGC Red, the qualifying criteria to enable them to them for the United Kingdom Nationals.
Captain Chris Fawcett, Staff Sergeant jump in Parachute Display Teams. Many They persevered against some very poor
Michelle Atherton, Sergeant Luke Slucock thanks to the Royal Electrical Mechanical British weather and after an impressive
and Sergeant Colin Jenkins. Following Engineers and the Royal Navy Raiders performance, they placed 5th out of 14
their success at the 2015 Armed Forces Parachute Display Teams in helping us teams. They have now set their sights on a
Parachute Championships, this was their as a Corps achieve this. Since qualifying, step up in category for next season.
year to follow in the footsteps of AGC Blue all have jumped on several displays.
and represent the Corps at a National Chris and Colin have also advanced as
level. Instructors and continue to contribute to
local dropzones and the Corps in training
Joint Service Parachute new skydivers.
Wing Courses

AGC Red with coach and cameraman at the United Kingdom Championships
Adventure Training Group runs a number
of free courses for Armed Forces personnel.
The Basic Parachute Course is an excellent
vehicle for budding skydivers to gain their
initial experience of this exhilarating
sport. Once ‘hooked’ skydivers can progress
to the Advanced Parachute Course - which
aims to progress individuals in chosen
disciplines, coaching techniques and also,
offer them the opportunity to try new and
often more difficult disciplines. This year,
five members of the AGC team attended
the Advanced Course. Sergeant Colin
Jenkins and myself attended as Formation
Skydiving Coaches teaching skydivers how
to manoeuvre safely in close proximity
to other skydivers. Captain Chris Fawcett
and Warrant Officer Class 2 Khadak
Chhetri attended as students, with Chris
gaining his Formation Skydiving Coach
qualification and Khadak jumping with
the first Gurkha Formation Skydiving
Team. Staff Sergeant Joe Hancock also got
the opportunity to broaden his skydiving
skillset with a view to competing for the
Corps next year.

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