PARATROOPERS of COLOMBIA

In 1963 an infantry battalion was redesignated as airborne and a parachutist training school established. The course of instruction was developed with guidance from U.S. Army airborne personnel

Currently the School of Military Paracaidismo conducts the following courses: The Basic Parachutist Course is conducted over four weeks. Ground school consists of three weeks and the final week is devoted to parachute jump operations.

Other courses include a two-week Jumpmaster and Aerial-Delivery Course, a four-week rigger course, and a four-week pathfinder course. Also conducted is a specialized four-week course in the use of free-fall techniques using the RAM-AIR type of parachute to carry out operations in areas of difficult access.

ESCUELA DE LANCEROS

As early as 1955, a specialized unit known as The Lanceros was created in the Colombian Army and its officers trained at the U.S. Army's Ranger school. These officers then were charged with creating Columbia's own elite force of paratroopers. A highly trained mobile force was needed to combat the growing number of guerilla bands that were terrorizing the country, and the primary mission of the Lanceros is counter-insurgency. An army-level combat brigade is headquartered in Bogotá and includes troops from the First Airborne Battalion (the army's sole paratroop unit).

At the Escuela de Lanceros school candidates are put through a ten week course that involves forced marches, obstacle courses, marksmanship, martial arts, map reading, patrolling and airborne operations. Lanceros are trained to operate in mountain environments as well as attending a three week jungle phase, the last phase before graduation. Foreign military trained at this premier course include personnel from such nations as the United States, Peru, Venezuela, Honduras, Spain, El Salvador, Bolivia, Mexico, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Guatemala, Brazil, France, among others.