Free fall parachuting is employed in the military by Special Operations
personnel. Usually the HALO (High Altitude, Low Opening) method is used.
HALO jumpers may deploy from aircraft as high in altitude at 60,000+ feet
and have not only highly maneuverable parafoils but also high altitude
life support equipment. The combat jumps made during Desert Storm and the
present conflict have all been HALO by Special Operations Operators.
Remember that a HALO from 60,000 feet using a B52 aircraft and deployment
from the forward bomb bay, will allow a jumper to travel some 200 miles
"cross country" before grounding. Using GPS and other guidance
technology, a HALO team can deploy over the Gulf and land inside a patio
garden in Tehran, Iran in a matter of an hour or so of "flying" time.


I thought the initial Desert Storm Special Ops jumps were HAHO rather than
HALO.
I could be mistaken.

TP