22 US Paratroopers Injured, Some Stuck In Trees During Camp Shelby Training

At least 22 paratroopers were injured during a night military exercise at Camp Shelby. @GoArmyMidwest/Twitter

At least 22 paratroopers, from the 25th Infantry Division out of Alaska, were injured and some were stuck in trees during a night jump exercise on Oct. 2 at Camp Shelby in Mississippi.

Three aircraft were operating near two jump sites in a military exercise, Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, 25th Infantry spokesperson Cpt. Ashley Sangster told CNN.

On the first pass to a drop zone near Camp Shelby, something went wrong and several soldiers ended up in trees, Sangster said. Weather was “fair” and the aircraft landed safely, Sangster said. Authorities are still trying to determine what went wrong.

US Army Alaska spokesman John Pennell said 15 injured soldiers received treatment by the medics on the spot and seven were taken to local hospitals.

Stock image of jumping paratroopers. Image by Skeeze from Pixabay

A recent update on Facebook from the 1st Battalion, 501 Parachute Infantry Regiment, said: “We now have 83 jumpers that are accounted for, while 4 others are getting assistance from the fire department to get down from the trees.”

“We strive to mitigate this risk as much as possible. Forrest General Hospital was notified prior to the jump of the potential influx of patients and the types of injuries to be expected and emergency vehicles were on standby on Camp Shelby prior to the jump,” the 25th Infantry Divison wrote on their Facebook page.

“The entire community has come together to ensure that we are able to provide expert treatment to any Soldiers who were injured during the Airborne Operation.”

Camp Shelby is a military post located at the southern boundary of Hattiesburg, covering over 134,000 acres. The team said it is thankful for the overwhelming support it received from units at the camp and from first responders.

Stock image of paratroopers. Image by Skeeze from Pixabay

The team said that there are no life-threatening injuries and those injured soldiers transported to hospitals will be given the opportunity to contact their families. It requested that people stay tuned for more up-to-date information about the incident.

The 25th Infantry Division also shared that once all soldiers are accounted for, the training will continue. “Despite the challenges that we currently face, Soldiers always place the mission first,” the team wrote.

The actual training exercise stretches over 10 days and involves approximately 650 soldiers jumping.

The 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division have posted many videos to their official Facebook page documenting their paratroopers training at Camp Shelby.

CNN Web Service content contributed to this report.