Monday, 12 USFS smokejumpers started ram-air rookie training in Fairbanks. The jumpers are a representation from most of the FS bases.

The plan for these jumpers is to become qualified on the ram-air system, then stay on the Alaska jump list until mid-July, complete some lower 48 specific training in Missoula afterwards, do a 3 week rotation in the Great Basin, and finish the fire season in FS operations.

The intent of the training and summer activities is to provide the FS with operational experience with ram-air canopies so the FS is better positioned to evaluate and make decisions about future parachute systems.