Jumpers make a big splash at the Sandbanks

Military skydivers from around the world delighted crowds at Sandbanks Provincial Park Thursday.
“Exercise Quinte Dipper is an international focus on inter-operability with our allies from six nations,” said Capt. Christopher Nobrega, adjutant with the Land Advanced Warfare Centre at 8 Wing Trenton. “We have 59 jumpers from Chile, United States, United Kingdom, Poland, Mexico joining jumpers from Canada for this second year of the exercise. This exercise gives us a more global understanding of how our allies operate and they see how we conduct operations.”
The week-long exercise included parachute training, jumps at Canadian Forces Detachment Mountainview, competative military skills presentations and jumping from helicopters at Baker’s Island, 8 Wing Trenton.
During the morning session the C130 Hercs delivered 40 personnel who jumped 10 at a time. Mechanical problems with the Herc forced a Casa 212 into service, which delivered jumpers five or six at a time during the afternoon.
After landing in the water, jumpers and their parachutes are met by retrieval boats and delivered back to the beach. OPP boats were also at the site to ensure the landing zone is clear.
The Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre, a Canadian Forces training facility located at CFB Trenton (formerly known as the Canadian Parachute Centre). It is designated as the army centre of excellence for Static-Line round, Static-Line Square and Military Free Fall parachuting and teaches basic, jump master and instructor courses in four elements: arctic and cold weather; mountain operations; aeriel delivery and helicoper operations.
The centre is responsible for the control, packing, maintenance and repair of all parachutes and associated equipment for the Army and its Search and Rescue Technicians.