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A new generation takes the Helm of Swiss CISM Parachuting

 

Baumann family

 

ZÜRICH (SUI) - In an impressive ceremony held on October 11, 2023, Colonel Christian Hess, the Swiss CISM Chief of Delegation, formally passed on the honor and responsibility for CISM Parachuting in Switzerland. The event, orchestrated by the long-serving CISM Chief Parachuting, Lieutenant Colonel Hans-Joerg Baumann (CISM C FSch), took place at Aura, the former Swiss stock exchange, under the theme: "The Secret of Peak Performance - Swiss Quality - Swiss Persistence."

 

C FSch change of command by CISM CoD

 

The occasion celebrated a remarkable collection of several hundred parachuting medals, earned by Swiss athletes in both CISM and the International Federation FAI competitions. Notably, the Swiss CISM delegation has a prestigious history as a WMC organizer, having successfully hosted the Parachuting World Military Parachuting Championship (WMPC) twice, in 1972 and 2010. Their story continues as they prepare to host the CISM World Winter Games in 2025, which will include the 2nd Parachute-Ski WMPC.

 

next generation

 

Representatives from all Swiss CISM generations, dating back to the late 1960s, shared memories from the inception of CISM parachuting up to their present successes. The new generation of young CISM Parachuting athletes was introduced by the new CISM C FSch, Lieutenant Nicolas Baumann. The sight of so many junior military parachutists, eager to follow in the footsteps of the current veterans, paints a promising picture for the future of military parachuting in Switzerland.

 

Int. CISM representatives

 

Both the outgoing PCSC, Colonel Gernot Rittenschober from Austria, and the next PCSC, Captain Tamas Banzski from Hungary, attended the event in Zurich. They both commended the professional presentations and the dedication put into CISM Parachuting. The guest who traveled the farthest to be there, former CISM World Champion James Hayhurst, now representing the USPA, the parachuting organization in the USA, shared many memories of successful CISM parachuting events from his long and illustrious career alongside his Swiss colleagues.

 

hand over

 

A few notable facts about the outgoing Lieutenant Colonel Hans-Joerg Baumann:

 

  • Joined the Swiss military in 1976.
  • Former Commanding Officer of the Swiss Parachuting unit Kp 17.
  • Completed 10,500 jumps and participated in 17 CISM World Championships.
  • Still an active competitor, most recently participating in the IF European Championships in Ravenna, Italy, in October 2023.

 

The CISM Parachuting community wishes the new C FSch Lieutenant Baumann the same level of success and extends their warm wishes to Hans-Joerg for many more years of joyfully observing the growth of the next generation of CISM parachutists.

 

(Source: PCSC Parachuting, Colonel Gernot Rittenschober)

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