The biggest military parachute jump in the UK for over ten years has shown how the British Army and Royal Air Force can work together in the air.

Some 270 soldiers from 16 Air Assault Brigade (16 Air Asslt Bde) jumped from three RAF A400M transport aircraft flying at 800ft over Salisbury Plain today (Mon 30 Mar). A fourth A400M dropped 24 tonnes of equipment and supplies that the soldiers would need to fight and sustain themselves. The operation was mounted from RAF Brize Norton, the home of the RAF’s Air Mobility Force (AMF).

Parachuting gives the military a fast and flexible way to move troops anywhere in the world. The jump was a test of the Joint Airborne Task Force (JATF) — a capability formed by 16 Air Asslt Bde and the AMF, to be ready to respond to crises ranging from natural disasters to armed conflict.

Moving far and fast

For this training, the JATF had been alerted for a simulated mission to reinforce a NATO ally facing the threat of invasion. The force – built around Colchester-based 3^rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment (3 PARA) – is being deployed to show support and act as a deterrent.

After landing and collecting their supplies, the paratroopers marched 10 miles off the drop zone to dig defensive positions. They were armed with Javelin anti-tank missiles and 81mm mortars, and were also equipped to fight with and against drones. Their intent was to deny the enemy freedom of movement and threaten their forces, known in military doctrine as ‘deterrence by denial’.

Brigadier Ed Cartwright, Commander of 16 Air Asslt Bde, said: “Parachuting is the fastest way to put troops almost anywhere in the world. It combines the speed and reach of air power with the unavoidable requirement to put soldiers on the ground to respond to crises or defeat our enemies. Today’s Joint Airborne Task Force is part of a renewed air manoeuvre capability that offers choice to policy makers and commanders.

“16 Air Assault Brigade enjoys a close relationship with the Royal Air Force and this jump is a powerful demonstration of our joint capabilities, which we continue to develop. The RAF’s transport aircraft and support helicopters are vital to the air manoeuvre capability that defines the brigade’s role as Defence’s global response force."

Teamwork in the air

An Air Mobility Force Squadron Commander said: “The RAF’s Atlas Force is incredibly proud to enable the Joint Airborne Task Force through the delivery of a concentrated force package to a drop zone by low level parachute.

 “The RAF has a long and distinguished history of enabling British Army parachuting training and operations and today’s activity marks another milestone in our collective journey. We continue to develop the Joint Airborne Task Force with an ever-increasing number of crews, parachute jump instructors, and airborne troops trained for this specialist mission.

 “In an increasingly unpredictable and uncertain world it is important that Defence has access to the widest possible range of capabilities to combat and hold our enemies at risk. Mass parachuting is one of those capabilities, and I am incredibly proud of the hard work undertaken by all to deliver it.”

Jumping into action

After landing, Private Hugo Stone, of 3 PARA’s Anti-tank Platoon, established a firing position for the potent and precise Javelin missile to defend the DZ.

“This was the biggest jump I’ve been involved in, and the sense of scale was quite something,” he said. “I had a clean exit from the aircraft, and while the descent was a bit windy, I had a good landing.

 “Once you’re on the ground, it’s about quickly deflating your canopy, getting your weapon ready and sorting your kit out. The job starts there.”

The drop is the largest in the UK since 2015, when some 200 paratroopers jumped from four C-130 Hercules aircraft onto Salisbury Plain. Since the C-130’s retirement from RAF service in 2023, the A400M has taken over as the military’s low level parachuting aircraft.