FALL! - At the U.S. Air Force Academy's parachute course, there is only one season

  • Published
  • By SSgt Matthew Hannen
  • Torch magazine
He'd found the courage to jump out of the Twin Otter aircraft soaing 4,500 feet above terra firma.  He'd survived the heart-stopping 10 seconds of free-fall at 120 mph, with a wind rush that can peel your lips bask.  He'd guided his chute to the landing zone.  Now there was one last task for this parachuting student on his first solo jump -- simply land. ...Easier said than done.

"The cadet...