DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DZSO/DZSTL

Question 1

Who monitors conditions on the drop zone and ensures all necessary safety equipment is present?

Answer 1

The Drop Zone Safety Officer (DZSO) /Drop Zone

Safety Team Leader (DZSTL)

Question 2

What are the DZSO/DZSTL qualifications?

Answer 2

• 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)
• CARP operations w/o AF Combat Control Team (CCT)
support, the DZSTL must be trained on CARP
procedures IAW USASOC Reg. 350-2
• For MFF Operations: the DZSTL must meet the
previously stated requirements and must also be
knowledgeable in MFF operations.

Question 3

ADZSO is required when?

Answer 3

• 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 4

What are the qualifications for ADZSO?

Answer 4

Will meet same qualifications as DZSO

Question 5

DZSO / DZSTL will:

Answer 5

• Be familiar with USASOC REG 350-2, TC 3-21.220, AFI 13-217, FM 3-21.38, ATP 3-18.11, TC 18-11, and ATP 3-18.10.
• Attend the operation briefing
• Assist with the deliberate risk assessment
• Exercise operational control over all personnel and equipment on
DZ

Question 6

DZSO/DZSTL Responsibilities includue:

Answer 6

• 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
• Positive control of all support vehicles
• Malfunction Officer / NCO must be present
• Look for any aircraft operating in vicinity
• Other aircraft must be clear of DZ 10 minutes prior to drop
• Other aircraft must maintain 1KM standoff during airborne operation
• Give final approval / disapproval for dropping Paratroopers

Question 7

WIND READINGS

Answer 7

• Use only approved anemometer
• DIC, DIC 3, TURBOMETER, BTC, AND AN/PMQ3A
• Multiple A/C = at least 2 wind readings
• At release point (RP) (DZSO) and highest point of
the DZ or trail end of DZ (ADZSO)
• Single ship, less than 2100m, no more than 20 sec exit time = 1 wind reading
• Calculation of MEW using Pilot Balloon (PIBAL) IAW
TC 3-21.22 para 21-15 for CARP, GMRS, VIRS

Question 8

Surface wind limitation for static line operations

Answer 8

• 13 knots
• 17 knots for intentional water drop
• 18 knots for Military Free fall (MFF)
• 20 knots for CDS using G-14 parachutes

Question 9

COORDINATION REQUIREMENTS

Answer 9

• Mandatory Range Control safety brier
• Open DZ with Range Control 1 hour prior to TOT
• Submit Flash Report to higher HQs within 1 hour following the ABN Operation (Universal Flash Report System)

Question 10

Drop zone party consists of the following at a

minimum:

Answer 10

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

Question 11

IN THE EVENT OF SERIOUS INCIDENT OR

FATALITIES:

Answer 11

ALL ABN OPERATIONS CEASE
NOTIFY RANGE CONTROL FIRST
Malfunctions Officer/NCO assumes responsibility of the DZ
SERIOUS INCIDENT REQUIRES OPREP-3 REPORT
(Serious Incident, defined as: Hospitalization, life threatening condition, or death; 20% or more of jumpers off DZ (for entire operation,) whether or not injury occurred)

Question 12

At the DZ the DSZO will:

Answer 12

Present at Control Center 15 min prior to TOT
• location: PI for CARP; RP for GMRS
• Conducting continuous surface wind readings NLT 12 minutes
before the scheduled drop
• Wind reading from the Control Center (highest point if needed)
• GO / NO-GO signal (two minutes)
• All lights on or near DZ turned off (night operations)
• Ground To Air (GTA) radio traffic as required
• Keep ABN CDR informed

Question 13

Medical coverage requirements

Answer 13

• IAW USASOC Reg. 350-2, medic must be:
• 18D, 68WW1, 36BW4 (CA Medic)
• E-4 or above
• Minimum requirements on DZ:
• 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

Question 14

Front Line Ambulance (FLA) Requirements

Answer 14

• 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.
• Each FLA must have a driver assigned to allow medical personnel to perform duties. Medic’s primary duty while on DZ is to provide medical support. Medical personnel designated for DZ medical coverage will not be designated for any additional DZ duties.

Question 15

When is medical support required to be in place on the DZ?

Answer 15

• Medical support will be in place on DZ NLT one

hour prior to TOT

Question 16

What is minimum med equipment Medical personnel will have on DZ?

Answer 16

• All medical personnel will have as minimum an M5
aid bag or equivalent pack IAW unit standards, rigid
cervical collar, long spine board and traction splint

Question 17

Who approves evacuation of jumper from DZ?

Answer 17

• No jumper will be evacuated from DZ without
approval of senior military medical representative
and DZSO / DZSTL

Question 18

DZSO equipment support requirements

Answer 18

• 4 Radios minimum (DZSO, Medic, Malfunction Officer, DACO)
• 2 Approved Anemometers
• 2 Compasses
• Mean Effective Wind (MEW) equipment (helium 
source, PIBAL kit)
• Copy USASOC Reg. 350-2, TC 3-21.220 and unit 
SOP
• Copy DZ Survey, must be surveyed within 5 years to 
be current for AF aircraft
• Copy of DRA, OPORD, and AMB
• Maps of area
• AR 59-4 Malfunctions Reporting
• Blank forms
• 1 rotating amber beacon
• Smoke grenades
• Lights for visual aids 
• Vehicles
• Bino’s or NVG’S 
• 1 RAM
• VS-17 Panels (Minimum of 10)
• 1 Axe or chain saw
• 1 Signal mirror
• Bean bag, Whelen or Phantom lights (11 white, omni-directional)
• Flash lights
• Road guards
• Tree climbing equipment and ropes
• 40 tent stakes for VS-17 panels
• Suitable camera (ensure it is operational) 
• Cellular phone

Question 19

No Drop Signals

Answer 19

• 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 20

DACO QUALIFICATIONS

Answer 20

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