Republican veterans prepare for 80th anniversary of D-Day by jumping out of planes: 8 lawmakers emerge unscathed with the slim GOP majority still intact during test parachute dive ahead of June celebration in Normandy

A group of House Republican veterans are preparing for the 80th anniversary of D-Day by jumping out of original C-47 transport planes from World War II.

The eight lawmakers emerged unscathed after the practice exercise in Florida over the weekend, keeping the GOP's slim majority of just one vote intact.

Former Green Beret Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., told DailyMail.com that there were 'no incidents' during the exciting training exercise.

'It's gratifying to know we have such great veteran members willing to jump out of a plane with me to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day and honor our World War II veterans,' Waltz said.

'This will be one of the last big anniversaries with WWII veterans so we want to ensure this celebration is special. During our training we had no incidents and we look forward to the real jump come June!' 

DailyMail.com learned that although the test was successful, some Republicans endured rougher landings than others.

The eight lawmakers emerged unscathed after the practice exercise in Florida over the weekend, keeping the GOP 's slim majority of just one vote intact

Former Green Beret Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., told DailyMail.com that there were 'no incidents' during the exciting training exercise

The practice dive comes ahead of a massive congressional delegation to Normandy, France , at the beginning of June

Army veteran Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., apparently hit the ground between two planes during the test jump, but he's just getting his military training legs back underneath him. 

Reps. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, Rich McCormick, R-Ga., Mark Green, R-Tenn., and Cory Mills, R-Fla., joined Issa and Waltz during the jump.

The practice dive comes ahead of a massive congressional delegation to Normandy, France, at the beginning of June to mark the 80th anniversary of the largest seaborne invasion in history.

The famous D-Day landings on June 6, 1944 were a triumph for Allied forces in World War II and constitute one of the best remembered military operations of the conflict following five years of conflict with Adolf Hitler's Germany and the Axis powers.

The lawmakers will be jumping again - this time over the beautiful beaches of Normandy in front of their colleagues and world leaders to mark 80 years since the historic landing.

A ninth Republican - former Navy SEAL Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, -  did a separate prep jump in Virginia beach over the weekend. 

'I'm excited to jump into Normandy on June 6 with a few of my fellow vets to honor the Greatest Generation on the 80th Anniversary of D-Day,' he told DailyMail.com.

He went on to say the jump is a 'great opportunity' to send the message that 'we have not forgotten the sacrifices they made for our freedoms.' 

In total, the 1944 invasion involved 153,110 troops, supported by 10,440 aircraft - including C-47 transport planes - and 6,330 ships, with paratroopers landing behind enemy lines in advance of the main assault

The forces were roughly divided across five beaches: Gold and Sword were attacked by British troops, Juno by Canadian, and Omaha and Utah by the U.S.

The sacrifices of the estimated 4,000-9,000 troops who died during the operation are honored every year on June 6

'My fellow House vets getting ready to jump over Normandy for the upcoming 80th Anniversary of D-Day out of original C-47 transport planes,' Waltz posted to Instagram.

'Thanks Round Canopy Parachute Team for the great refresher training in Palatka, FL today!' Waltz wrote Sunday.

In total, the 1944 invasion involved 153,110 troops, supported by 10,440 aircraft and 6,330 ships, with paratroopers landing behind enemy lines in advance of the main assault.

The forces were roughly divided across five beaches: Gold and Sword were attacked by British troops, Juno by Canadian, and Omaha and Utah by the U.S.

After less than a week, all five beaches had been secured, with more troops, vehicles and equipment being delivered to the Allies.

Every year, ceremonies are held across the region - and world - to pay tribute to the achievements of those who fought.

The sacrifices of the estimated 4,000-9,000 troops who died during the operation are honored.

The forces were roughly divided across five beaches: Gold and Sword were attacked by British troops, Juno by Canadian, and Omaha and Utah by the US

D-Day timeline: The largest amphibious invasion in military history as it happened

• January 1944: General Dwight Eisenhower appointed commander of Operation Overlord.
• February-May: Series of deception operations carried out to put Germany off the scent.
• June 4: Bad weather causes operation to be delayed from June 5.
• June 5: Better weather makes General Eisenhower give go-ahead for operation to take place the following day.
• 22:00: Operation Neptune, the seaborne forces, leave the English coast to cross the channel.
• June 6 00:05: Coastal barriers in France are bombed.
• 00:20: Airborne troops attack bridges in coastal town of Benouville, taking just 15 minutes.
• 02:30: Allied fleets arrive and anchor at the French coast.
• 04:30: US forces Liberate St Mere Eglise, inland from Utah beach.
• 05:00: British paratroopers destroy weapons at Merville Battery to protect those who will land at Sword beach.

Allied soldiers, tanks and ships take part in the D-Day landings at Gold beach

• 05:30: Warships bombard the coastline, while landing craft head for shore. 
• 06:00: German shore defences are bombed. 
• 06:30: American forces begin landing on Omaha Beach and face an enemy onslaught which holds them until 1100. 
• 06:30: Americans troops begin landing on Utah Beach. 
• 07:25: British land at Gold and Sword Beaches. 
• 07:35: Canadians land at Juno Beach. 
• 09:00: General Eisenhower authorises announcement that the invasion has begun. 
• 09:45: Enemy forces cleared from Utah Beach. 

Members of an American landing unit help their comrades ashore during the Normandy invasion near St Mere Eglise

• 12:00: Winston Churchill speaks to the House of Commons about the landings, saying: 'So far the commanders who are engaged report that everything is proceeding according to plan. And what a plan!' 
• 13:30: Troops on Omaha Beach begin securing the area. Allied forces begin to bomb the town of Caen.
• 14:30: The Nazi's 21st Panzer Division unleash a counter-attack towards the coast. 
• 18:00: Canada's North Nova Scotia Highlanders reach 5km inland. Allied tanks cross the Caen-Bayeux railway, 15km inland. 
• 19:00: Command post set up on Omaha Beach. 
• 21:00: King George VI says on the radio that it is a 'fight to win the final victory for the good cause'.
• Midnight: All the beaches are secured.