HALO/HAHO

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HALO and HAHO are acronyms that describe methods of delivering personnel, equipment, and supplies from a transport aircraft at a high altitude via free-fall parachute insertion. HALO stands for High Altitude-Low Opening, and is also known as Military Free Fall (MFF). HAHO stands for High Altitude-High Opening.

In the HALO technique, the parachutist opens his parachute at a low altitude after free-falling for a period of time, while in the HAHO technique, the parachutist opens his parachute at a high altitude just a few seconds after jumping from the aircraft. HALO techniques date back to 1960 when the U.S. Air Force was conducting experiments that followed earlier work by Colonel John Stapp in the late 1940s[1] through early 1950s on survivability factors for high-flying pilots needing to eject at high altitudes. In recent years, the HALO technique has been practiced by civilians as a form of skydiving.

HAHO is used for delivering equipment, supplies, or personnel, while HALO is generally used only for personnel.

In a typical HALO/HAHO insertion, the airplane will fly at altitudes of up to 8,000m (26,000ft).

Tandem HALO jump at about 15,000 feet over Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona.

USASOC Military Free Fall Parachute Badge

HALO/HAHO
Military free-fall form of insertion.

Purpose
Delivering personnel, equipment, or supplies.

HALO
High-Altitude/Low-Opening

HAHO
High-Altitude/High-Opening

Origins
Attributed to SEAL Team SIX and USAF Col Joe Kittinger.
Perfected by U.S. special forces.

Tech. Sgt. Don Blackwell prepares to take a class "up" in the altitude chamber at Langley AFB, Virginia.

Members of a British Combat Control team and members of the 62nd Special Tactics Squadron, perform a HALO jump at McChord Air Force Base, Washington.

U.S. Army paratroopers jump from a C-130 flying 25,000 feet over the Arizona desert.

[edit] HALO

See also: Decompression sickness and John Stapp

The origins of the HALO technique date back to 1960 when the U.S. Air Force was conducting experiments that followed earlier work by Colonel John Stapp in the late 1940s[2] through early 1950s on survivability factors for high-flying pilots needing to eject at high altitudes. Stapp, a redoubtable research physicist and medical doctor, used himself as a human guinea pig in rocket sled tests to determine whether or not wind impact would kill ejecting pilots. Stapp also solved many of the issues involved in high altitude flight in his earliest work for the Air Force, and subjected himself to exposure to altitudes of 45,000 feet. Subsequently, he helped develop pressure suits and ejection seats, which have been used in jets ever since. As part of the experiments, on August 16, 1960, Colonel Joe Kittinger performed the first high altitude jump at an altitude of 19 miles above the Earth's surface. However, the technique was used for combat for the first time in the U.S. military involvement in Laos, when members of MACV-SOG performed the first high altitude combat jumps. SEAL Team SIX of the United States Navy expanded the HALO technique to include delivery of boats and other large items in conjunction with parachutists.

The technique is used to airdrop supplies, equipment, or personnel at high altitudes when aircraft can fly above SAM missile engagement levels through enemy skies without posing a threat to the transport or load.

For military cargo airdrops, the rigged load is pulled from the aircraft by a stabilizing parachute. The load then proceeds to free-fall to a low altitude where a cargo parachute opens to allow a low-velocity landing. Military personnel will later move to the landing point in order to secure the equipment or to unpack the supplies.

In a typical HALO exercise, the parachutists will jump from the aircraft, free-fall for a period of time at terminal velocity, and open his parachute at a low altitude. The combination of high speed downwards, and minimal metal and forward air-speed serves to defeat radar, enabling a stealthy insertion.

[edit] HAHO

The HAHO technique is used to airdrop personnel at high altitudes when aircraft can't fly above enemy skies without posing a threat to the jumpers. In addition, HAHO parachute jumps are employed in the covert insertion of military (generally special forces) personnel into enemy territory, in circumstances where the covert nature of an operation may be compromised by the loud noise of parachutes opening at low altitude.

In a typical HAHO exercise, the jumper will jump from the aircraft and deploy the parachute at a high altitude, 10–15 seconds after the jump (typically at 27,000 feet or so). The jumper will use a compass or GPS device for guidance while flying for 30 or more miles. The jumper must use way points and terrain features to navigate to his desired landing zone, and along the way, must correct his or her course for changes in wind speed and direction; making for a tricky navigation problem.

The HAHO technique is also used for delivering military teams. The team will jump from the aircraft and form up in a stack while flying in the air with their parachutes. Usually, the jumper in the lowest position will set the travel course and act as a guide for the other team members.

[edit] Health risks

This type of parachuting technique can be dangerous. At high altitudes of the Earth's atmosphere (greater than 22,000 feet), the oxygen quantities required for human respiration become thin. The lack of oxygen at high altitudes can lead to Hypoxia.

A typical HALO exercise will require a pre-breathing period (30-45 minutes) prior to jump where the jumper breathes 100% oxygen in order to flush nitrogen from their blood stream. Also, a HALO jumper will employ an oxygen bottle during the jump. Danger comes from medical circumstances affecting the jumper. For example, cigarette smoking, alcohol and drug use (including antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, and analgesics), anaemia, carbon monoxide, fatigue and anxiety can all lead to a jumper being more susceptible to hypoxia. In addition, problems with the oxygen bottle and during the changeover from the pre-breather to the oxygen bottle can result in the return of nitrogen to the parachuter's bloodstream and, therefore, an increased likelihood of being affected by Hypoxia. Just one breath of regular air will bring the jumper's blood nitrogen levels close to normal. A jumper suffering from Hypoxia may lose consciousness and therefore be unable to open his parachute.

Another risk is from the low ambient temperatures prevalent at higher altitudes. The jumper may face subzero temperatures and can experience frost bite. However, HALO jumpers generally wear polypropylene knit undergarments and other warm clothing to prevent this.

As with all skydiving, participants run the risk of serious injury or death due to canopy malfunction.

[edit] Typical equipment

In a typical HALO exercise, a parachuter will jump with:

• an altimeter
• an automatic [parachute] activation device (AAD).
• a knife
• a helmet
• a pair of gloves
• a pair of military free-fall boots
• oxygen available on board the aircraft
• bailout oxygen
• a 50-100+ pound ALICE (All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment) pack with combat gear

[edit] List of HALO/HAHO capable military units

• Delta Force
• U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets)
• U.S. Navy EOD
• U.S. Navy SEALs
• U.S. Navy SWCCs (Special Boat Teams)
• U.S. Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance
• Elements of U.S. Army Airborne Infantry Divisions (82nd and 101st)
• United States Army Rangers (Ranger Regimental Recon Detachment)
• U.S. Army Long Range Surveillance (LRS-Detachment) and (LRS-Company)
• U.S. Air Force Pararescue
• U.S. Air Force Combat Control
• British Special Air Service
• British Pathfinder Platoon
• Canadian Special Operations Forces Command - Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2)
• Canadian Special Operations Forces Command - Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR)
• Dutch Korps Commandotroepen (KCT)
• Dutch Korps Mariniers (Amphibious Reconnaissance Platoon )
• Danish Froemandscorps Danish Frogman Corps
• Danish Jaegercorps Hunter Corps
• Polish GROM
• French 11e Brigade Parachutiste (11e BP, 11th Airborne Brigade), which includes height parachute regiments, has circa fifty HAHO/HALO paratroopers, mainly in the Commandos Parachutistes (Pathfinders)
• French special forces have also circa fifty HAHO/HALO paratroopers, in several units :
  • 1er Régiment Parachutiste d'Infanterie de Marine : special forces unit
  • 13e Régiment de Dragons Parachutistes; an old former French cavalry regiment now converted into a special forces regiment. Its mission is to collect intelligence on the ground in pre-war/war/battlefield environment
  • Commandos Marine
  • Commando Parachutiste de l'Air n°10 (French Air Force Special Forces)
• the Direction générale de la sécurité extérieure (DGSE, French intelligence service) "Action Division" has commandos trained for clandestine operations, some of them being HAHA/HALO qualified.
• The special units of the Gendarmerie Nationale have some HALO/HAHO paratroopers :
  • Groupe d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale
  • Escadron Parachutiste d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale are two gendarmerie special units
• The RAID is the only French National Police unit having HAHO/HALO qualified paratroopers
• SOF Commandos, Singapore Armed Forces
• Swedish Fallskärmsjägarna - Parachute Rangers
• Swedish Särskilda Skyddsgruppen - Special Protection Group
• German Kommando Spezialkräfte
• German Fallschirmjäger
• German Kampfschwimmer (Seals)
• German Fernspaeher LRRP
• German GSG 9 Counter Terrorism Unit
• Greek Army ETA (Special Parachute Unit)
• Greek Navy MYK (Underwater Demolitions Command)
• Irish Army Ranger Wing
• Australian Special Air Service Regiment
• Special Air Service of New Zealand
• Australian 3RAR Parachute Battalion
• Bandera de Operaciones Especiales de la Legion - (Spanish Legion- Spain)
• Unidad de Operaciones Especiales-(Spanish Marines-Spain)
• Escuadron de Zapadores Paracaidistas-(Spanish Air Force-Spain)
• 9� reggimento d'assalto paracadutisti "Col Moschin" (9th Airbone Assault Division "Col Moschin") Italia
• 1st, 2nd, 9th, 10th and 21st Battalions of the Parachute Regiment (Special Force), Indian Army.
• National Security Guards Indian Army
• Indian Army Para Commandos Para Commandos
• Special Frontier Force Indian Army
• Garud Special Force Indian Airforce
• Indian Navy Marine Commandos, MARCOS.
• Israeli Paratroopers Brigade, [3] .
• Israeli Elite Units, [4].
• Italian Navy Special Forces Arditi Incursori Group.IncursoriCOMSUBIN
• Pakistan Army Special Services Group.
• Philippine Army 1st Special Forces Regiment (Airborne),1st Scout Ranger Regiment,Special Warfare Assault Group,Marine Corps Force Recon,SPOW
• Portuguese BRR - Brigada de Reacção Rápida (Fast Reaction Brigade) http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/BRR
• Russian VDV and Spetsnaz units.
• Taiwan 862nd Special Warfare Brigade
• Detachment Bravo (Indonesia)
• 10 Paratrooper Brigade (Malaysian Army)
• Grup Gerak Khas (Malaysian Army)
• PASKAL (Malaysian Navy)
• PASKAU (Malaysian Air Force)
• Pasukan Gerakan Khas (Malaysian Police)
• Red Berets (Turkey)
• SAT (Turkey)
• South African Special Forces Brigade (South Africa)
• Fuerza de Operaciones Especiales (FOES) (Peruvian Navy)

[edit] References in Fiction

• In the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), 007 HALO-jumps out of a plane.
• In the video game Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, set in 1964, the protagonist Naked Snake performs the world's first HALO jump. Solid Snake uses the same technique in Metal Gear: Ghost Babel.
• In the video game Splinter Cell, Sam Fisher uses a HALO jump to reach the final level of the game, the presidential palace. However, it is only implied, and the viewer doesn't watch the jump.
• In the James Bond film Die Another Day (2002), Bond and Jinx do a HALO jump out of a plane, using small one person gliders, (referred to in the film as "switchblade".)
• The television show The Unit (2006) shows that the special operations team therein is HALO/HAHO capable. Though the dialogue indicates that they are to do a HAHO jump, they are shown free-falling for a considerable time, making the actual jump HALO.
• In the comic book The Punisher, Castle performed a HALO jump into Siberia during the 'Mother Russia' story arc of the Marvel MAX series of the comic.
• In Tears of the Sun (2003), Bruce Willis and his team of Navy SEALs HALO near the Mazon Rainforest. The film showcases about 30 seconds of the HALO process. During filming of the HALO jump, one of the stuntmen drowned after landing offshore and failing to escape his parachute.
• In the book, The Supernaturalist, a HALO is a type of spaceship. HALO (in this case) stands for High-Altitude Low Orbit.
• In the last episode of the fourth season of the Alias TV series, Sidney Bristow and her comrades-in-arms HALO-jump out of a plane to reach the target.
• In the Movie Navy Seals (1990), Michael Biehn and his Navy SEAL Team HALO jump and then swim into a coastal town to extract an informant.
• In the PS2 video game Spy Fiction, the first level begins with a HALO jump.
• In the first season of Jag (1995), Harm has to HALO jump with SEAL TEAM 2 to find out why a General would kill a Naval Aviator who was assigned to SEAL TEAM 2 to fly a cocaine plane out of Colombia.
• In the film Reign of Fire (2002), the Archangels are HALO jumpers who risk their lives as bait for the dragons.
• In the TV Show, The West Wing, a Navy Seal dies of Hypoxia after completing a HALO jump to rescue downed airmen.
• In the video game Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory the level The Battery starts with a HALO insertion.
• In the video game Splinter Cell: Double Agent the Xbox360 version features a playable HALO jump mini-game.
• In Air Force One (film) (1997), the opening scene features a special operations unit performing a HALO jump when assaulting a mansion
• In the video game Crysis,the protagonist,Jake,performs a HALO jump into an island where a meteor has crashed into.

[edit] Further reading

• US Army Infantry School (November 1, 1995). Fundamentals of Airborne Operations. Edition B. US Army Infantry School. US Army. United States of America.

[edit] External links

• GlobalSecurity.org Information about the Military Free Fall School at John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center

[edit] References

1. Divine, Mark (2004). Navy SEALs Air Operations - Free Fall: HALO/HAHO (used with permission). US Navy SEAL 1989 to present. Founder of NavySEALs.com.
2. Gempis, Val (July 1997). A Bad Altitude. Airman. US Air Force. United States of America.
3. Black, Mike. HALO jump over Yuma Proving Ground, AZ. US Marine Corps. United States of America.
4. US DOD (June 5, 2003). US DOD Dictionary of Military Terms. US Department of Defense. United States of America.
5. US DOD (June 5, 2003). US DOD Dictionary of Military Terms: Joint Acronyms and Abbreviations. US Department of Defense. United States of America.
6. McKenna, Pat (July 1997). A Bad Altitude. Airman. US Air Force. United States of America.
7. US Army Infantry School (November 1, 1995). Lesson 3: Airlift Requests and Personnel Used in Airborne. Fundamentals of Airborne Operations, Edition B. US Army Infantry School. US Army. United States of America.
8. McManners, Hugh (2003), Ultimate Special Forces, pub Dorling Kindersley http://doi.contentdirections.com/mr/dk.jsp?doi=10.1221/0789499738
9. http://www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/aureview/1986/nov-dec/boyd.html