Deadly accidentsNaval Special Warfare operators perform a free-fall jump in Alaska in September.
The incident, which likely happened during as part of a pre-deployment workup, is still under investigation, according to Naval Special Warfare Command.
Despite that danger, however, free-fall parachuting is also extremely valuable as an insertion method for special-operations units.
The Navy SEAL community — especially the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, formerly known as SEAL Team 6 — is well-versed in free-fall operations.
Most US special-operations units have recognized the value of free-fall parachuting and have incorporated it into their training.