Blue skies and wet landings

 Once again this year, from August 25 to 26, 2026, about 50 soldiers from all branches of the Bundeswehr will undergo parachuting training over the Schwielowsee. Of course, water landings cannot be missed.

Over two days, the Operational Command of the Bundeswehr trains its soldiers as well as guest jumpers from the entire Bundeswehr for parachute jumps into the water. During the exercise in a designated area of the lake, the focus is on keeping the 50 participating parachutists in practice and partially maintaining their jump licenses. For the exercise, they will be transported by a civilian M28 Skytruck from Berlin Gatow into the airspace over Geltow and Petzow. At an altitude of nearly 500 meters, the soldiers jump from the aircraft and land in the Schwielowsee. Normally, parachute jumps occur from an altitude of 4,000 meters. But emergency procedures must also be practiced, including water landings. Shortly after landing, the soldiers are picked up by inflatable boats and brought ashore.