Skydiving has been described as the art of performing in the air, defying gravity, but of course, assisted by parachutes.It is a method of exiting an aircraft and returning to Earth with the aid of gravity, then slowing down during the last part of the descent by using a parachute. It may involve more or less free-fall, a time during which the parachute has not been deployed and the body gradually accelerates to terminal velocity.
The military developed parachuting technology as a way to save aircrews from emergencies aboard balloons and aircraft in flight, and later as a way of delivering soldiers to the battlefield.
We all know Special Forces personnel are expert in Parachuting but do you Know there are various Military Skydiving Display teams like United States Army Parachute Team,Red Devils,Akash Ganga along with Various others.
These Display teams are amongst the best there is.
So let us discuss about one of the best….
Akash Ganga
Akash Ganga is the 14 member Sky diving team of the Indian Air Force. It was created in August 1987.
Akash Ganga can be roughly translated in Hindi as “The Ganga of the sky”, it’s an ancient Hindi name for the galaxy as viewed from the Earth.
Akash Ganga is the celebrated skydiving team of the IAF which has an interesting slice of history associated with it. Its genesis can be traced to the early 1970s when defense personnel tried to hone their aerial assault techniques for wartime operations. The practice soon evolved into a peace time adventure sports and it was in 1987 that the IAF launched Akash Ganga at the Agra Air Force Station.
Akash Ganga members jump out of the aircraft with parachutes firmly strapped to their backs, the audience witnesses them falling freely for a while after which the jumpers conduct manoeuvres, twist, twirl and roll while continuing to descend at great speed before the chutes open and they make a perfect and a safe landing. A sport that calls for perfect coordination of body and mind and demands instant reflex for coordination, Akash Ganga has thrilled the audience across the country and the World for Years and one of the most Reputed Display teamin the World.
Akash Ganga display team hold several record like –
1. First Indian (Wg Cdr Sanjay Thapar) to skydive to North Pole on 21st April, 1996.
2. India’s first Tandem Skydiving Instructor was of Akash Ganga in the year 1999.
3. India’s first Tandem Skydiving Examiner in the year 2001 was from Indian Air Force.
4. Jumping over Mount Everest
The Akash Ganga Air Force team comprises the most dedicated, skillful and daredevil Para Instructors of the Paratroopers Training School. The enthusiasm and experience the Instructors at Paratroop Training School (PTS) have gained in sky diving since its inception resulted in formation of the Sky Diving team for demonstration jumps.This means that all Paratroopers of Akash Ganga display team are the one who teach Special Forces personnel from Army,Navy and Air Force about Jumping.They are supposed to be at the optimum level of fitness and only few get to actually be part of them.
Here are some of their Pictures …
So are You Up For It ?