Recovery procedures are designed to ensure, in the interest of supply economy, the maximum recovery of parachutes and related airdrop equipment used to deliver personnel, supplies, and equipment during airborne operations.
a. Responsibilities. The commander of the receiving unit is responsible for appointing a recovery NCO or officer from within his own unit. The recovery NCO or officer plans and supervises the operation and organizes the needed teams to recover and evacuate parachutes and related airdrop equipment. The receiving unit should be capable of conducting the recovery according to this manual.
b. Personnel Coordinations. The success of the recovery mission depends on the support of the combat unit securing the perimeter, communication control to provide for evacuation of the mission in minimum time, and proper briefings of recovery personnel on the tactical situation. It depends also on the experience of available personnel on recovery teams and available transportation. Coordination among the combat unit, unit recovery officer, recovery supervisors, team personnel, and transportation is necessary for a successful recovery mission.
c. Special Considerations. Some special areas you should consider are listed below.
(1) Tactical situation. Prior to recovery operations, all personnel involved in the recovery must be briefed thoroughly on the tactical and alternate plans so they will be prepared for any contingencies that may occur.
(2) Types of terrain. Recovery time and effort may be increased or decreased according to undergrowth, obstacles, and texture of the soil (such as mud and ruts).
(3) Weather. Recovery operations must be adjusted according to existing weather conditions.
(4) Size and number of drop zones. The drop zone may consist of a number of small drop zones over a large area or it may consist of one or two large ones. The number of personnel and vehicles required for recovery depends on the area of the drop zone.
(5) Quantity and type of equipment. The quantity and type of equipment to be recovered is an important factor in overall recovery planning. Containers must be provided for packaging small, loose metal and fabric components (such as clevises, connector links, and load binders).
(6) Communications. Communications is needed between recovery team supervisors and the recovery officer and between the combat unit and the recovery officer in the event of possible changes in the tactical situation.
(7) Technical supervision. The recovery officer is responsible for acquiring the needed technical supervision according to the size and amount of supplies and equipment.
(8) Equipment and available personnel. The number and type of vehicles and the number and caliber of personnel available may affect recovery time.
(9) Methods of recovery and evacuation. The methods of recovery and evacuation of equipment depend on local conditions, available personnel, transportation, and the destination of the recovered equipment and supplies.
a. General Airdrop Recovery Planning Factors.
Airdrop equipment is expensive and in short supply. The unit receiving airdrop resupply must attempt to recover, protect, and retrograde this equipment. Receiving units must use air delivery recovery data to compute estimated quantities (volume/weight) of equipment to be retrograded. FM 101-10-1/2 (Volume 2) contains these data and detailed information on how to use them. If the tactical situation prevents recovery, destroy the airdrop equipment according to TM 43-0002-1 to prevent enemy forces from using it. Prepare contingency plans for airdrops involving unusual or unforeseen circumstances where special techniques may have to be used. For example, plan what to do when drops occur off the drop zone or in trees, or when the receiving unit or party is not US military or military of other nations.
b. Recovery Priorities. Airdrop equipment should be recovered and evacuated in the following order of priority:
(1) Personnel parachutes.
(2) Cargo parachutes.
(3) Airdrop containers.
(4) Airdrop platforms.
(5) Related airdrop rigging equipment.
c. Recovery Accountability Reporting. Receiving units must turn in equipment to the supplying unit as quickly as possible. The turn-in must be within 48 hours, or sooner, to avoid possible damage from improper storage conditions and to speed the return of air items for future reuse. Units should establish, through SOPs, how a receiving unit needs to report disposition of items recovered. Receiving units are responsible for equipment until it is delivered in proper condition to the supplying unit. Parachute riggers are not responsible for safeguarding and protecting air equipment from pilferage. Air items suspected of being damaged due to willful negligence or deliberate actions will be identified and segregated for disposition and determination of actions. Plans must also be made for the recovery and turn-in of residual air equipment on board the aircraft.
d. Recovery Plans. Ensure requirements for the recovery of air items are met, as described below.
(1) Plans, including major factors.
(a) Plan for security of drop zone.
(b) Plan for equipment recovery according to this manual.
(c) Plan for recovery of items at airfield.
(d) Plan for safeguarding of air items at airfield.
(e) Plan for MHE and transportation.
(f) Plan for tree-cutting and climbing equipment.
(g) Plan for segregation of air items by type prior to turn-in.
(2) Preparations and actions prior to airdrop.
(a) Designate and assign a team for recovery.
(b) Organize, train, and brief recovery detail to ensure quick recovery of air equipment, or coordinate for parachute riggers to train team prior to airdrop.
(c) Ensure necessary derigging tools and recovery equipment are available.
(d) Ensure tarpaulins or plastic bags are available in case of inclement weather.
(3) Actions after airdrop.
(a) Account for items issued but not delivered to the DZ.
(b) Coordinate with individuals responsible for issue and recovery to determine shortages.
(c) Expedite turn-in of all air items, and resolve all shortages immediately.
e. Evacuation, Transportation, and Storage. The recovery NCOIC or OIC supervises the evacuation of parachutes and related airdrop equipment from the drop zone to the central and/or rear area, depending on the tactical situation. Available transportation will be used for evacuation. Sling-loading of airdrop loads by helicopter is an optional means of transport. Transportation used for air items will be inspected prior to loading items. Vehicles must have clean, dry cargo beds and sufficient tarpaulins or plastic to protect air equipment from inclement weather or contamination. The recovery unit is responsible for preventing air items from becoming contaminated by fuels, such as diesel or oil, in vehicle beds. Parachutes need special attention to keep them from becoming soiled or wet. Clean air items should be segregated from contaminated items to keep from spreading the contamination. Air items should be placed into plastic bags to prevent contamination from fuel, dirt, and water. Ensure transport vehicles are equipped with adequate means to secure platforms to the vehicle, such as chains or tiedown straps. When evacuation is by ground, receiving units should provide a guard detail to accompany each load to prevent sabotage or pilferage en route. Under all conditions, ensure evacuation as rapidly and directly as possible, since additional airdrop of supplies and equipment may depend upon the availability of parachutes and related airdrop rigging equipment.
Remove the extraction force transfer coupling (EFTC) from the extraction bracket at the rear of the platform. (See Figure 3-4.) Remove the actuator from the brackets located near the front of the platform on the side rail. (See Figure 3-4.) Coil the actuator, cable, and latch with link and protect them from harm during transport.
a. Prohibited Actions. The following actions are prohibited:
(1) Do not drag personnel parachutes or cargo parachutes from trees, obstructions, or along the ground during recovery.
(2) Do not cut parachute suspension lines to aid recovery unless all other efforts fail.
(3) Do not drag air delivery platforms and related equipment across the ground to speed recovery.
(4) Do not activate canopy releases on personnel parachutes.
(5) DO NOT cut or use the arming wire lanyard of the Ml and M2 parachute release assembly to speed recovery. Remove them from the cargo parachute deployment bag, and tie them to the release.
(6) Do not disassemble the release assembly body when removing suspension slings. Once the suspension slings are removed, place the suspension link bolts back on the assembly.
(7) Do not empty ballast sand boxes on drop zones.
(8) Do not stack airdrop platforms without two layers of honeycomb, or damage between each plat form to prevent damage caused by metal-to-metal contact.
b. Heavy Cargo Parachutes.
(1) Recovery of cargo parachute deployment bags.
(a) Prior to drop, the recovery NCOIC or OIC will designate a spotter for extraction parachutes and deployment bags.
(b) The spotter will observe the extraction parachute and deployment bag of the heavy drop load. He must visually follow the descent of the extraction parachute and deployment bag so they can be located during recovery.
(c) There covered deployment bag will be taken to the site of the cargo parachute, and the recovery team will use it to stow the cargo parachute.
(d) The recovery team will ensure that the cargo parachutes are stowed in their corresponding type of deployment bag (for example, G-11 in the large cotton duck or nylon bag, G-12 in the smaller nylon deployment bag, and so forth).
(2) Techniques for recovery of G-11 and G-12 cargo parachutes.
(a) Recover the deployment bag and extraction/pilot parachute.
(b) Use four-man teams and elongate the canopy, lines, and risers. Do not drag the parachute and lines along the ground.
(c) Remove riser extensions and center lines at the large clevis or type IV link assembly and parachute connector (release finger), if used, and leave the clevis on the riser assembly.
(d) Daisy chain the suspension lines and risers. Do not separate suspension lines and risers at the connector links.
(e) Insert the canopy apex lines through the slot in the top of the deployment bag and S-fold the canopy, suspension lines, and risers into the deployment bag.
(f) Close and secure the deployment bag with available cord. DO NOT use arming wire lanyards.
c. Pilot and Extraction Parachutes. The 68-inch pilot and extraction parachutes may be rolled and placed inside the deployment bag or rolled and tied separately, and then placed in the deployment bag. It is recommended that the 68-inch pilot parachute be placed on top of the G-12 parachute, inside and still connected to the deployment bag.
d. Light-Cargo Parachute. The light-cargo parachute (G-13, G-14, 22-foot extraction, and 26-or 12-foot high-velocity ) and the deployment bag are connected to the airdrop container. Detach the deployment bag and parachute from the container. Recover the parachute as follows:
(1) Spread the canopy lengthwise on the ground, and straighten the suspension lines and risers. S-fold the canopy, suspension lines, and risers into the deployment bag.
(2) Secure deployment bag with available cord.
e. Extraction Line Bag. Place inside the line bag panels all extraction line bag components and items connected to the line bag systems (such as all metal hardware: type IV link assembly, EFTC link assembly, four-point link assembly, any other link assemblies, or large clevises--for clustered parachutes, and deployment and extraction lines). Tie the panels together with available ties.
f. Airdrop Containers. Place all loose components of the A-7A cargo sling, and A-21 and A-22 cargo bag in the center of the container, and fold and secure the container in a convenient manner.
g. Airdrop Platform Load Components.
(1) Airdrop platforms. Airdrop platforms to be recovered for evacuation should be separated by size and type. Place dunnage between stacked platforms to prevent damage (honeycomb works well.)
(2) Webbing. Recover and set aside all suspension slings, riser extensions, and tie-down straps for evacuation.
(3) Hardware. Recover and package all hardware components as time permits, and set them aside for evacuation.
(4) Wood components. Recover and return wood products. The wood components include lumber, wood blocks, plywood (stowage platform, and so forth), and the combat-expendable platform which consists of all of the above.
(5) Energy-dissipating material. The energy-dissipating material (honeycomb) can be reused. However, if it is damaged beyond use it is expendable and may be disposed of accordingly.
h. Miscellaneous Airdrop Equipment. All release assemblies and components should be recovered with riser extensions and arming lanyards, and packaged for evacuation.
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NOTE: DO NOT cut the 1/2-inch tubular nylon arming lanyards or use them for tying items. |
Airdrop equipment that cannot be recovered, because of severe damage or because of the tactical situation, should be destroyed according to TM 43-0002-1 to prevent enemy use.
The receiving unit is responsible for providing field storage facilities for recovered parachutes and related airdrop rigging equipment awaiting evacuation to a rear area. A permanent building with a dry floor is desirable for storage because it protects against moisture. Tents with wooden floors are a second choice for storage. It is not likely, however, that you will find ideal storage facilities near a drop zone. The recovery officer must devise various field expedients to protect the parachutes and related airdrop rigging equipment during the period prior to evacuation to a rear area. To safeguard the recovered items, the recovery officer may use various pieces of canvas; all expendable wood components, including combat-expendable platforms; and the covers from the A-21 and A-22 airdrop containers. The canvas covers make suitable tarpaulins to protect the parachutes from rain and sunlight. The parachute stowage platforms and all airdrop platforms may be used for pallets or temporary shelters. The recovery officer should consider the following:
a. Parachutes. Parachutes should be stored--
b. Airdrop Platforms. Airdrop platforms should be stored on honeycomb or dunnage to prevent deterioration.
c. Webbing. Webbing should be protected from excess moisture, and nylon webbing should be shielded from direct sunlight.
d. Hardware. Protect hardware from excess moisture by placing a protective cover over hardware whenever possible.
e. Canvas. The canvas used with airdrop containers and platforms is usually a mildew-and water-resistant cotton duck Use it to cover the more critical items of recovered airdrop rigging equipment.
f. Releases. Place all releases in boxes, if possible, and store them in a dry area that is free of rain or moisture.