Eight British Army reservists have returned from a high-adrenaline adventure training expedition in the United States, having earned internationally recognised skydiving qualifications and pushed their physical and mental limits in the skies above Southern California.
Exercise EAGLES SPEEDSTAR, held from 19 June to 8 July 2025, saw personnel from 299 Parachute Squadron, 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment & Royal Monmouthshire RE take part in an intensive Accelerated Freefall (AFF) programme at Skydive Elsinore, a civilian drop zone renowned for its favourable weather and robust infrastructure. The students first jump after ground training is from 13,000 feet with 2 instructors.
Planning for trip started in September 2024 to provide a valuable Adventure Training opportunity for 299 Para Sqn & 23 Para Engr Regt personnel at the end of a busy and demanding year. The enabling and delivery of the expedition was conducted solely by reservist personnel
The expedition, funded in part by the Ulysses Trust, was entirely planned and delivered by reservists, offering both novice and experienced parachutists a rare opportunity to train overseas. Five AFF instructors led the programme, guiding 16 students through their first jumps and providing continuation training for 11 seasoned skydivers.
By the end of the course, 11 students had successfully earned their British Skydiving A Licence, qualifying them to jump solo anywhere in the world. For many, the journey was as much psychological as physical.
“I didn’t realize how much mental concentration skydiving requires and definitely demands,” said LCpl H, a first-time jumper from 299 Para Sqn. “Remembering hand signals, altitude awareness and body position while falling at 120mph was intense. But we leaned on each other and our instructors, who were excellent, I look forward to carrying on with the sport and learning how to pack my own parachute back in the UK. This was most definitely an experience that makes you realize why we joined up”
The experienced cohort also made significant strides, achieving eight British Skydiving-recognised qualifications and exploring advanced disciplines such as formation skydiving, tracking, and free-flying. Two personnel achieved their Formation Skydiving Coach rating.
Cpl W from 299 Para Sqn who achieved is 1500th jump on the trip said,
“There was a wide range of abilities in the experienced group”. “Thanks to one-on-one coaching, we all progressed quickly. Most of us averaged over 35 jumps in just 13 days of jumping”.
Cpl W and the rest of his teammates now aim to compete in the Armed Forces Parachute Championships in various disciplines and hope to compete in the UK National Skydiving League.
The expedition wasn’t just about skydiving. Participants also had the chance to explore the local area, including trips to Los Angeles and San Diego during rest days, adding a cultural dimension to the physically demanding schedule.
The Ulysses Trust grant proved pivotal, enabling personalised wind tunnel training that helped students overcome early challenges and refine their technique. Organisers say the support was instrumental in ensuring the success of the trip.
Feedback from participants highlighted the transformative nature of the experience. Many students admitted they had underestimated the fear involved in jumping from an aircraft but also spoke of the confidence and camaraderie gained through overcoming it.
For some, the expedition reaffirmed their commitment to service.
Several of the attendees stated that being able to take part in challenging overseas adventure training is the reason they stayed in the service.
Exercise EAGLES SPEEDSTAR stands as a testament to the value of adventurous training in building resilience, enhancing skills, and strengthening bonds among service personnel—while offering unforgettable experiences in the process.
