Photo of combat jump

[Guymullins]

This is a picture I have been urged to post here. It is of a dawn combat jump into the Battle for Cassinga in Angola 1978. I am pulling down on my liftweb so as to avoid a river beneath me. We are being shot at in the air by 14.5 AA guns and small arms, so you can see that I have released my belly band so as to be able to instantly bring my rifle into play on landing.The mist to the left is in fact smoke and dust from the bomb run which ended a minute before our exit. We attacked a fortified enemy base of about 3500 enemy with a force of 367 paratroopers. Immediately after the battle, the score was 660 enemy dead vs 4 Paratroopers dead.This does not take into account an armored column of Cubans which we destroyed as they came to help their friends.
A very good punchup all round.MMcWCassingajump0001.jpg

[ArticPara]

Guy - thats an awesome picture with an exciting story. Looked like you were riding into battle in your living room reclining chair. Thanks for sharing.

[Guymullins]

It wasnt as relaxed as it looks. We had about 25 secs in the air and I was shooting a 16mm movie, some stills with a 35mm camera , trying to miss the river and unhitch my weapon simultaneously.You can see a Company Medic kit attached to my harness, with a compliment of drips included, full first line ammo with two machine gun belts, 4 water bottles and a few grenades and smoke bombs. You can imagine, the landing was inelegant.

[IEDmagnet]

Awesome post brother... really cool.

[Santo Tomas]

Job well done Airborne

[AFTAC85]

Holy hell thats outstanding!

[AirborneCA]

Well there ya go...

[18C4V]

That is a super cool picture and story!!!

[CharliePC]

wow-

[Ops NCO]

I told you these guys would want to hear this story.

Why were you shooting the movie and stills?

[Mortarman11c]

Wow, nice shit there brother. Very Impressive.

[Gun-Toting Diplomat]

I told you these guys would want to hear this story.

Why were you shooting the movie and stills?

Heck, I'd like more details if you're willing to share. Pretty fascinating.

[Weazle23]

That's awesome! Thanks for the post!

[Rocket1972]

Damned fine job there and glad you made it through the end. RIP to those that did not make it during that drop. Must have been hard even if you got more of them than they did of you.

[AlaskaDad]

Guy
What an outstanding combat photo !!!!! Thanks for sharing both the pic and the tale... but do tell more.. and is there an video up link that you have made from the film?

An seems like you weren't the only one with a camera. Who was the photographer of your pic ?