AIR DESPATCHERS
Qualifications for a Despatcher were eight static jumps, which included a night jump. Also a reasonable amount of experience in combat jumps was required. Generally only NCO’s went on Despatching courses.
Duties for Despatcher’s included ensuring there was always a good supply of new parachutes (generally the Air Force PJI would do this – if there was one available), and that the chute ‘shed’ was neat and orderly and set up in such a way that the Para’s could kit up fast. Other duties included checking the Para’s kit prior to boarding. As well as packing up the static lines after the jump and sending them back to New Sarum along with any recovered parachutes.