Community Support
JUMP START CANTEEN GET A KICK OUT OF PARACHUTING WITH THE AIR FORCE
On Saturday 05 May fifty teenagers from CanTeen and Project K jumped from a No.40 Sqn Hercules over Auckland. For six years now, the RNZAF has lent a ‘community hand’ to Jump Start, a charity event that gives teenagers from CanTeen and Project K (a youth development programme), the opportunity to complete a tandem skydive with civilian sport skydivers out of an RNZAF C-130 Hercules. The event not only provides many positive benefits for the first time jumpers, but raises money for the charities. Aimed at young people with life-threatening illness, the premise of Jump Start is ‘the experience of being alive’. Since 2007, when the event first took place at Matamata, with RNZAF support, the organisers know that the jump gives the participating teenagers the experience of facing fear and discovering inner strength, placing trust in others, finding mutual support and team identity, gaining confidence and experiencing elation and a sense of accomplishment. The Air Force has supported Jump Start from its inception. Support for the event involves various sections of the RNZAF at Whenuapai including No. 40 Squadron (Hercules Flight),
24
Air Force News
Base Medical, the Base caterers, Maintenance Support Wing and Maintenance Wing’s S&S personnel who undertook the parachute packing. PTSU was the lead unit. The civilian working crews—Tandem Masters, camera flyers and parachute packers—all donate their time to the Jump Start event. They are considered the ‘Angels’ of the Jump Start event. Safety is paramount; the civilian tandem jumpers and camera flyers are all very experienced, while PTSU staff oversee the event and conduct the briefings. The day began at 0630 and by the time the fifth sortie was flown with 10 tandem pairs per sortie, it was 1900 when the certificates were presented to the proud first-time jumpers. Including the sponsoring skydivers and working camera flyers, 200 descents were completed. Tim Fastnedge, the Jump Start event director, said “The support from the Defence Force, and in particular the RNZAF, is outstanding. We are all helping to make a difference in the lives of our ‘at risk’ youth and we can all be very proud.” SQNLDR Simon Van Rijs of PTSU remarked, “It’s an amazing experience for the teenagers undertaking the jump and we are continually delighted by seeing the positive impact of the jump. It’s one example of how the Air Force partners with New Zealand organisations to give back to the community”.