Duties and Responsibilities of the DZSO/DZSTL

Question 1

DZSO/DZSTL QUALIFICATIONS

Answer 1

• Must be in the rank of E-5 or above (or other service equivalent NCO)
• Must be a qualified and current SL or MFF JM
• Graduates of a SOF JM Course/JM Refresher Course
• Be a qualified and current DZSO\DZSTL
• Performed duties of the DZSO\DZSTL or attended a DZSO refresher within the preceding 180 days
• Assisted a fully qualified DZSO
• Received hands on training in use of the Anemometer

Certified on GMRS/VIRS (SOF JM Course, Special Forces qualified, or Pathfinder)

Question 2

ADZSO is required when…

Answer 2

• Two separate wind readings are required on the DZ.
• Multiple A/C are utilized in the airborne operation
• When DZ portion used is more than 2100 meters in length or with a 20-second exit time.

Question 3

DZSO / DZSTL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Answer 3

Ensure all DZ party and equipment are present on the DZ ONE HOUR PRIOR TO TOT

• DZSO will be present on the drop zone during all personnel and equipment drops
• Will have positive communications with the Assistant DZSO, the Senior Medic, Malfunctions Officer, DACO and Range Control if applicable.
• Aircraft communication – PACE plan
• Current Drop Zone (DZ) survey (AF Form 3823) – Inspect for hazards/obstacles
• Mark the drop zone – IAW type of drop

Question 4

Approved Anemometers

Answer 4

DIC, DIC 3, TURBOMETER, BTC, AND AN/PMQ-3A

Question 5

Wind Readings for Multiple A/C

Answer 5

At least 2 wind readings

• At release point (RP) (DZSO) and highest point of the DZ or trail end of DZ (ADZSO)

Question 6

1 Wind Reading

Answer 6

Single ship, less than 2100m, no more than 20 sec exit time

Question 7

Surface wind limitation for static line operations

Answer 7

13 Knots

Question 8

Surface Wind Limitation for Intentional Water Drop

Answer 8

17 Knots

Question 9

Surface Wind Limitation for Military Free Fall (MFF)

Answer 9

18 Knots

Question 10

Surface Wind Limitation for CDS using G-14 parachutes.

Answer 10

20 Knots

Question 11

Drop zone party consists of the following at a minimum:

Answer 11

• DZSO and ADZSO when required
• Medical personnel
• Malfunction Officer or NCO (IAW AR 59-4)

Question 12

IN THE EVENT OF SERIOUS INCIDENT OR FATALITIES:

Answer 12

• NOTIFY RANGE CONTROL FIRST!!
• Prevent unauthorized personnel from disturbing accident scene IAW USASOC REG 385-1, Accident Prevention and Reporting
• IAW AR 59-4, Malfunctions Officer/NCO assumes responsibility of the DZ
• (ALL ABN OPERATIONS CEASE)
• Serious Incident Report (OPREP-3)

Question 13

Serious Incident is defined as:

Answer 13

Hospitalization, life threatening condition, or death; 20% or more of jumpers off DZ (for entire operation,) whether or not injury occurred.

Question 14

DZSL must be present at Control Center ________ minutes prior to TOT

Answer 14

15 Minutes

Question 15

Conducting continuous surface readings NLT _____ minutes before scheduled drop.

Answer 15

12 minutes

Question 16

GO/NO GO signal occurs at _____ minutes before scheduled drop.

Answer 16

2 minutes

Question 17

IAW USASOC Reg. 350-2, medic must be:

Answer 17

• 18D, 68WW1, 36BW4 (CA Medic)
• E-4 or above

Question 18

Minimum Medical Requirements on DZ

Answer 18

• No more than 60 jumpers per pass = one senior medic, one Front Line Ambulance (FLA) w/ positive radio communication
• 61-120 jumpers per pass = one senior medic w/ radio, one medic w/ FLA w/ positive radio communications
• 121-240 jumpers per pass = one senior medic E-5 or above w/ radio, two medics, two FLA’s w/ positive radio communication
• 241-360 jumpers per pass = 1 senior medic E-6 or above w/ radio, 2 medics, three FLA’s w/ positive radio communication
• Over 360 jumpers per pass = one medical Officer/PA w/ radio, one senior medic E-6 or above, three medics, four FLA’s w/ positive radio communication

Question 19

FLA is defined as:

Answer 19

• FLA defined as covered vehicles dedicated for the purpose of evacuating injured jumpers and large enough to carry an open stretcher and marked in such a way as to designate it as an emergency vehicle. Any vehicle that is substituted as an FLA should have four-wheel drive.

Must have a driver assigned to allow medical personnel to perform duties.

Question 20

Medical support must be in place how long before TOT?

Answer 20

1 Hour

Question 21

Minimum Radios Required

Answer 21

4 Radios: DZSO, Medic, Malfunction Officer, and DACO.

Question 22

Minimum number of anemometers required.

Answer 22

2 Approved Anemometers

Question 23

THE DZSO / DZSTL CAN DELEGATE HIS _____ TO SUBORDINATES, BUT CANNOT DELEGATE HIS _____.

Answer 23

THE DZSO / DZSTL CAN DELEGATE HIS AUTHORITY TO SUBORDINATES, BUT CANNOT DELEGATE HIS RESPONSIBILITY

Question 24

No Drop Signals

Answer 24

• Verbal “NO DROP” to A/C
• Scrambled panels or “X”
• Absence of planned signal

*All No Drop Signals will be coordinated with the Aircrew during the Aircrew Brief*

Question 25

DACO Qualifications

Answer 25

• Officer, Warrant Officer, or NCO in the grade of E-5 or above
• Be a current and qualified Jumpmaster
• Have performed the duties as an assistant DACO at least once

Question 26

Can operations be conducted on the DZ if the malfunctions NCO is not present?

Answer 26

NO

Question 27

How long before the TOT must the DZSO open the DZ? NO

Answer 27

One hour prior to TOT

Question 28

When is an ADZSO REQUIRED?

Answer 28

MORE THAN 20s/2100m OF DROP ZONE, MULTIPLE A/C, MULTIPLE WIND READING POINTS