In November and December 1963 my father, James W. Hauck, D-474, was part of a joint U.S.Army/U.S. Air Force program developing "HALO" techniques for use by U.S. Special Forces. This program known as TAC TEST 63-18 consisting of 14 jumpers (9 Army, 5 Air Force) and various support personnel took place at Tatu Drop Zone, El Centro Naval Air Station, El Centro Calif. During this program 16 jumps were made from a U.S. Air Force C-130-B at altitudes from 20,000' to 43,500', the latter establishing a world record. On 16 Dec 1963 sealed barographs supplied by technicians from Edwards Air Force Base were carried aloft by the aircraft and individual jumpers. After the jump the barographs were read and averaged together to establish the exit altitude of 43'500. These jumps were not without hazards. Prior to the flight all 14 jumpers and flight crew started pre-breathing oxygen 1hr. before takeoff to rid the body of nitrogen,even with this precaution several jumpers suffered the bends. Frostbite affected several people as the outside air temp with windchill was close to-125 degrees below zero. All the participants in these jumps were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross by the Pentagon because of the hazards involved and the establishment of the world record. The prior altitude record was established by the U.S.S.R. with 9 men out at 38,000 ft. This jump was documented by Parachutist magazine in 1964 in an article by W.J.A."Squeak" Charette, (D-90) "Jumping in the Troposphere".
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