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Third-generation jumpers make PPCLI History
By Capt Joe Jasper
EDMONTON — CF parachuting history advanced into a new generation this year. Many have talked of the possible demise of military parachuting in the CF, but the airborne spirit is alive and well in many troops still coming through the Canadian Parachute Centre (CPC) and arriving at units newly qualified to jump the CT-1 static line parachute.
One of these recent candidates was Private Bill Bolen of 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (3 PPCLI). He recently attended the Basic Parachutist Course in Trenton at CPC and had passed all of his performance objectives and made it to "J-stage" or the jump stage. Pte Bolen completed his parachute descent onto Drop Zone Hodgson with his fellow course-mates, many of which were also from 3 PPCLI.
The jump course was significant for Pte Bolen for several reasons; it had been the high point so far in a fairly new career in the light infantry, and the fact his jump wings would be pinned on his chest by his father, who also jumped with him during his course April 30. His father, Warrant Officer William (Billy) Bolen is well-known in the CF airborne community as a veteran Skyhawks member, US Army Ranger, and long serving member of the former Canadian Airborne Regiment.
This jump and wings ceremony was also very significant for WO Bolen because 27 years ago, the ceremony was preceded when Sergeant (Ret) Bill Bolen Sr, a Korean War Veteran (Billy’s father), punched a set of jump wings onto his chest after jumping with him. This makes young Pte Bolen the third generation of Patricia-Bolen jumpers, a first in the history of the PPCLI.
All three Bolens got a chance to come together and experience the rush of falling from the sky on June 7. WO Bolen and Pte Bolen would get a chance to jump from a CH-146 Griffon helicopter onto DZ Buxton in Edmonton to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the formation of the Canadian Airborne Regiment and the annual Airborne reunion. Watching them dress each other for Rigger’s and Jumpmaster’s checks was Bill Bolen Sr. He would later get to watch as they ran out and boarded the Griffon with the rest of their chalk, no doubt wishing he could sneak on board for a jump with his boys.
Parachuting in the PPCLI is now into the third generation of soldiers and the troops wearing the maroon beret hope it continues for future generations. The role may change, but the spirit of soldiers having a hard physical challenge to overcome and a way to face their basic fears makes the jump wings and maroon beret one of the most coveted symbols in the Canadian Army. Airborne!
Capt Jasper is with Para Coy 3 PPCLI.
By Capt Joe Jasper
EDMONTON — CF parachuting history advanced into a new generation this year. Many have talked of the possible demise of military parachuting in the CF, but the airborne spirit is alive and well in many troops still coming through the Canadian Parachute Centre (CPC) and arriving at units newly qualified to jump the CT-1 static line parachute.
One of these recent candidates was Private Bill Bolen of 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (3 PPCLI). He recently attended the Basic Parachutist Course in Trenton at CPC and had passed all of his performance objectives and made it to "J-stage" or the jump stage. Pte Bolen completed his parachute descent onto Drop Zone Hodgson with his fellow course-mates, many of which were also from 3 PPCLI.
The jump course was significant for Pte Bolen for several reasons; it had been the high point so far in a fairly new career in the light infantry, and the fact his jump wings would be pinned on his chest by his father, who also jumped with him during his course April 30. His father, Warrant Officer William (Billy) Bolen is well-known in the CF airborne community as a veteran Skyhawks member, US Army Ranger, and long serving member of the former Canadian Airborne Regiment.
This jump and wings ceremony was also very significant for WO Bolen because 27 years ago, the ceremony was preceded when Sergeant (Ret) Bill Bolen Sr, a Korean War Veteran (Billy’s father), punched a set of jump wings onto his chest after jumping with him. This makes young Pte Bolen the third generation of Patricia-Bolen jumpers, a first in the history of the PPCLI.
All three Bolens got a chance to come together and experience the rush of falling from the sky on June 7. WO Bolen and Pte Bolen would get a chance to jump from a CH-146 Griffon helicopter onto DZ Buxton in Edmonton to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the formation of the Canadian Airborne Regiment and the annual Airborne reunion. Watching them dress each other for Rigger’s and Jumpmaster’s checks was Bill Bolen Sr. He would later get to watch as they ran out and boarded the Griffon with the rest of their chalk, no doubt wishing he could sneak on board for a jump with his boys.
Parachuting in the PPCLI is now into the third generation of soldiers and the troops wearing the maroon beret hope it continues for future generations. The role may change, but the spirit of soldiers having a hard physical challenge to overcome and a way to face their basic fears makes the jump wings and maroon beret one of the most coveted symbols in the Canadian Army. Airborne!
Capt Jasper is with Para Coy 3 PPCLI.
