Royal Thai Marine Corps Water jump
26 th to 30 th October 2009
The Royal Thai Marine Corps jump week for the 46 th group was being held on the last week of October at the Sattahip Royal Thai Marine Corps base to which we were invited to participate with John Anderson (U.S.) and Sum Wen Kwang (Singapore).
Al , John and myself at Surin province a day before travelling to Sattahip.
On Sunday morning we were to put up at the Royal Thai Navy accommodations in Sattahip where were to remain for the next 5 days in proximity of the Royal Thai Marines Corps camp of Komalaungchumporn.
Overlooking the pool and the sea from our naval quarters
During these 5 days we were led to visit the different facilities such as the Royal Navy base at Sattahip, the Royal Thai Marine Corps in the same city as well as the U-Tapao navy air base, rigger quarters, Shooting range, Recon Marine quarters, RTMC museum , several PX stores , Inter navy-marines-taharn phran thakro sport competition….etc…
Main hall at the Marines para group
We were very grateful to be granted a visit to the Marines commander , General Chomron thanks to John.
We were to only attend the water jump ground training at the base and joining the 46 th group on the day prior to the water jump for different briefings.
In class with Marines of group 46 a day prior to the water jump
Ground training
Group 46 in ground training
Riggers at work at Sattahip Marines base
MC1 rigs ready to go …
Afternoon run
Shooting Range
Group 46 had to complete its 5 jumps for the RTMC parachute wings. The last 2 jumps before graduation for this group of Marines were to be a water jump and a land jump with weapon and equipment.
Our Group (46) dismissing after morning briefing
Marines marching at the base in Sattahip
Red and Gold Marines in a running cadence
Group 46 and marching Marines in the background
On the day of our water jump we were to be dropped at an altitude of 1500 feet in the bay within the Marines perimeter of Vajiralongkorn hills overlooking a beach in the vicinity. Leaving the Marines base at around 07:00 in the morning for the U-Tapao air base by convoy led took us about 40 minutes to complete , pick up out rigs and get equipped for the jump.
There were several sticks to be dropped and as part of stick 1 we were the first o be dropped (John as lead, Sum then myself).
Sum, John and myself upon exiting the aircraft and over the sea in the gulf of Thailand
Reaching the shore after the jump
Marine elements getting back to firm land
Wings award ceremony
The last day at the base was for another jump (on land) with weapon and equipment but I was to only attend the ceremony and meet the rest of the RTMC staff and congratulate Group 46 on their wings award.
F 47 with jumpers out of the door
Jumpers with MC1-1B
Attending to an injured jumper at the land DZ
Reporting after landing for equipment inspection
Senior Marines brass at the ceremony on the DZ
Wings award ceremony
NCO Jump Masters & Instructors
Congratulating young Marines upon earning their jump wings
On the last evening group 46 was to enjoy its last jump party with the Marines base at Sattahip after which we were driven to the 1 st Army Division LRRP Cie camp in Bangkok where Yi Ting and myself spent the remaining of our journey to Thailand.
Wings collectors :
See our Wings section for a complete set of the Royal Thai Marine Corp and other branches of the Thai armed forces.