KAMPUNG GAJAH: The usually quiet Felcra Changkat Lada was filled with excitement today, thanks to the 330 paratroopers from the 10th Parachute Brigade, known as 10 PARA, who made a coordinated jump in a joint-exercise with the United States Air Force (USAF).
Fully armed and carrying gear weighing between 30kg and 40kg, they were airborne and deployed from six aircrafts hovering the settlement.
The strong wind forced the paratroopers to be extra cautious to avoid collision with others after deploying their chutes.
They landed safely on paddy fields secured as the drop zone before making their way to Ipoh on foot.
10 PARA Brigade commander Brigadier General Datuk Tengku Muhammad Fauzi Tengku Ibrahim also joined the training that revolved around parachute jump rapid deployment.
The exercise was graced by Raja Muda of Selangor, Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris, who was conferred the honorary Maroon Beret and Airborne Wing of the 10th Parachute Brigade.
Tengku Amir arrived at SK Changkat Lada 3 earlier in Royal Malaysian Air Force’s Augusta from the service’s base in Subang before riding on an army vehicle to the training location.
Also present were Army Field Commander, Lt Gen Datuk Azizan Md Delin; Second Division commander, Major General Datuk Mohd Ramli Jaafar and Second Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Datuk Mohd Nizam Jaafar.
Tengku Muhammad Fauzi said the exercise was a bi-annual training involving personnel from the 10 PARA.
He said the exercise involved five RMAF’s aircrafts and a US Pacific Air Force (PACAF) aircraft.
“The aircrafts were flown to the height of about 243 to 365 metre from the ground before paratroopers made a jump.
“The exercise was conducted to assess the Para Batalion’s warfare strength with affiliate troops assisting in planning evaluation and preparedness of the staff at the battalion and brigade levels.
“The training is also the pinnacle of test on the paratroopers, apart from (being an) assessment on the elements of tactical and skills,” he said when met.