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Posted August 21, 2010
by Golden Knights
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Brand New Team Blog
This is our last post to this site. The Team has moved to armygk.com
The posts located here at Posterous are at the new site as well. The move was in an effort to make the site more robust and the ability to provide more information to the public. We hope you enjoy it.
Please make the change in your bookmarks. We appreciate all the support and the great comments. Keep them coming.
Posted June 24, 2010
by Golden Knights
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SFC Mike Elliot visits the Steve Harvey Mentoring Weekend
| SFC Mike Elliott of the Army Golden Knights Tandem Team is spending this weekend mentoring young men attending the Steve Harvey Mentoring Weekend in Dallas TX.The Steve Harvey Mentoring Weekend For Young Men is a 4 day, 3 night program designed to teach the Principles of Manhood to young men to enable them to achieve their dreams and therefore become better men who are emotionally, politically and economically strong. Approximately one hundred young men, in grades 8-11, from around the country, were pre-selected to travel to Dallas, TX with a parent or guardian for a weekend of mentoring. The goal of The Steve Harvey Mentoring Weekend For Young Men is to introduce the principles of manhood and dream building that will leave an impression on these boys that will carry them through the rest of their lives. The dream is the single most important component of success next to God. A boy’s dream is the driving force behind his education and is the power behind whatever he chooses to become. |
Miss Fayetteville North Carolina skydives with the Golden Knights
| Today the Golden Knights tandem team had several special guests. Kinsey Boarts, recently crowned Miss Fayetteville, NC, along with Miss Harnett County and soldiers from Ft. Bragg spent time with the Golden Knights today. Kinsey learned what it takes to jump out of an airplane. Personal courage, personal strength and SSG Joe Jones, all helped Kinsey jump form over 2 miles above Laurinburg NC. SSG Jones gave the tandem briefing to 6 eager jumpers. Everyone then geared up in black and gold jumpsuits and got ready for an incredible experience. Kinsey's day with the Army Golden Knights will be passed on to many as she tells her story about the jump to women all over the City. As Miss Fayetteville she is now a role model to a number of young women in the area. Miss Harnett County also made the 2 1/2 mile jump. Also coming out to Tandem Jump with the Golden Knights were soldiers from Health Clinics on Fort Bragg. In the photos: Kinsey Boarts and SSG Joe Jones in freefall Kinsey Boarts in front of Old Glory SFC Stacey Staats and SSG Joe Abeln in front og the sun CPT Derek Noel and SSG Abeln exit the twin Otter CPT Ernie Severe and SSG Jon Ewald get ready to skydive |
Blue Skies and a Little Extra Altitude
Luckily, there is air conditioning in the Golden Knights training facility at Laurinburg-Maxton airport in Laurinburg, NC. The temperatures got up to the mid-nineties in the early afternoon, but not even Mother Nature could dampen the motivation and focus of Black Team training day. The Team completed a total of five jumps: two from 3500 feet, two from 12,500 feet, and one from 14,000 feet (the extra altitude was a little treat from the pilots for the last jump of the day).
The main focus of today's training was working on freefall formations the Team uses on show site, perfecting the building process and fine-tuning the jumpers' body positions while in the formations. Quick completion and correct body position is important because on every performance jump there is always a photo mission. Black Team has three freefall photographers (SSG Todd Beckel, SSG Trevor Oppenborn, and SGT Rachel Medley), who rotate duties from jump to jump, taking pictures and video of the formations for media and to document the Team's history. The freefall photographers each have a special helmet that is specially fitted with both a video and still camera. The still camera is capable of snapping up to six frames per second with a remote shutter apparatus, which fits in the photographer's mouth and is activated by pressing the tongue switch. In addition to improving technical skills, the team also builds camaraderie, trust, and confidence through these training days. Parachuting has certain inherent risks, especially when the performances involve tight landing areas, crowds of people, and obstacles. By training between performances, the Team is able to work together and mitigate these risks by being as proficient as possible. Story by SGT Rachel Medley; photos by SGT Rachel Medley and SSG Trevor Oppenborn 1. SSG Todd Beckel (left) and SFC Arlyn Slade exit the aircraft, SSG Howie Sanborn stands at the edge of the door (Rachel Medley)2. SFC Arly Slade flies the Army Star flag (Rachel Medley)
3. Black Team completes a 7-way formation over Laurinburg, NC (Rachel Medley)
4. SSG Todd Beckel checks SGT Brandie Phillip's gear prior to the jump (Trevor Oppenborn)
5. One of the Team's two DeHavilland Twin Otter aircraft provides a dramatic backdrop for SFC Arlyn Slade's parachute (Rachel Medley)
6. A unique perspective on the ten-foot by ten-foot target the jumpers will land on (Trevor Oppenborn)
7. SGT Tylor Wheeler flies the New York state flag (Rachel Medley)
8. SSG Brandon Valle and SGT Brandie Phillips fly a two stack (Rachel Medley)
9. A split second after landing, SSG Valle's parachute gently collapses (Rachel Medley)
10. SGT Rachel Medley comes in for a landing after shooting video and still pictures of the formation (Trevor Oppenborn)
11. Black Team Leader SFC Will Fleming leads by example, showing his "kids" how it's done with a perfect dead center landing (Trevor Oppenborn)
Tandem Team meets Tech #Woopra
Today the Golden Knights take Woopra CEO John Pozadzides on his first ever tandem jump. John P, as he likes to be called, is at Golden Knights headquarters to teach Team bloggers the ins and outs of internet blogging. John P. also is co-founder of a premiere blogging conference.
John began his exciting adventure today with an hour of instruction from SGT Joe Jones who gave a detailed briefing on the procedures of the tandem jump and an extensive explanation about the equipment. Following the class John quickly dressed in a Black and Gold jumpsuit,harness and helment. John even brought his own HD camera to obtain additional video footage to document his thrilling 120 mph ride .John said, that he has always had a drive for speed and excitement with fast cars and motorcycles. While SSG Jon Ewald,his tandem instructor and SSG Joe Abeln videographer prepared for the jump, the Black Demonstration Team did a practice jump checking the winds. John flew in for a soft stand up landing and said It was totally unbelievable and that he could not believe the solitude and peace he felt from the experience.
John took numerous photos and video of Team jumping various flags and the new Army Strong parachute flown in by assistant team leader SGT Brandon Valle. He also creatively capture the comradery of the Team training together,parachute packing, and a presentation of a professional demonstration the "Black Team" way.
More of John's tandem jump and amazing photos that John took of the Team will be posted soon.
Posted June 17, 2010
by Golden Knights
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@Johnp signing the jump waiver. There's blue skies and in an hour he will see them up close
via tweetie
Posted June 17, 2010
by Golden Knights
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Canopy Piloting Tips
Canopy Piloting Tips: A CRASH Course in Avoiding…Canopy Crashes
By SFC Tom Bovee and SFC Greg Windmiller It’s summer time and the time is right…for jumping out of planes! Just returning from a deployment?Haven’t been to the drop zone for while? Visiting a new drop zone or are you just new to sky diving? Following these basic steps will help ensure that your experience sky diving
is enjoyable and safe. Although not meant to be a complete course or a
replacement for a qualified coach or instructor, here are some tips to think
about before heading to the drop zone. According to the United States Parachute Association, in the past year,
the largest cause of fatalities in sky diving has been individuals who failed
to follow basic safety procedures under perfectly good canopies. Paying
attention to the drop zone layout, winds and obstacles - in the air and on the
ground are the keys to safe and successful landings. Here are some things
you can do to help raise your level of awareness after the freefall is over: ► Know your Drop Zone’s lay-out, obstacles, and possible “outs” (landing areas
not on the drop zone). ► Check the wind direction and speed prior to boarding aircraft and know your limits. ► Follow the landing pattern established by the
drop zones SOP. ► When jumping after a break, ensure you jump a canopy relative to the size and type you were proficient with prior to the break and don’t be afraid or embarrassed to up-size. ► Don’t down-size canopies too quickly. The faster you down-size, the faster you
become a statistic. ► Avoid attempting high performance landings when you are not ready. A good
down wind, base, and final is the safest and best technique to utilize and is a safe way to start the summer off right. ► Never try to impress anyone on the ground. The paramedics don’t care if you can do tricks (The most impressive landing is the one that allows you to go up immediately to jump again.) The best way to determine if you are being safe is to ask yourself this question:
“Am I proficient at what I am getting ready to do and am I comfortable with it?” If there is any doubt, then the answer should be.... DON’T DO IT! As a regular part of “pre-landing checks,” consider making the following part of your landing rituals and routine: ► Perform a controllability check after canopy is open and you have cleared your air space. ► Watch jumpers below you to see what the pattern is. Wind direction may have changed since you took off. ► Keep an eye on your altimeter. It is just as important on approach and landing as it is during freefall. ► Identify where you are in relation to hazards on the ground and make preparations to avoid them. ► Watch out for fellow jumpers and keep your head on a swivel. The lower
jumper has the right of way !! In the end HAVE FUN and BE SAFE! “Blue Skies” SFC Greg Windmiller is the Canopy Piloting Team Leader for the United States Army
Parachute Team, THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS. He is the current World-record holder for speed in canopy piloting and holds every US National record in canopy Piloting and well as he is the current US National Champion in Canopy Piloting speed. SFC Tom Bovee is an FAA Master Rigger, a U.S. Parachute Association Safety & Training Advisor, USPA AFF Instructor, and the Safety NCO for the United States Army Parachute Team, THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS. He is currently serving as the NCOIC of the GOLDEN KNIGHTS Rigger Loft. PHOTO: SSG Howard Sanborn (top) and SSG Brandon Valle fly a biplane formation. Photo by SGT Rachel Medley
Golden Knights
In 1959 19 men joined together to form the Strategic Army Corps Sport Parachute Team, to compete in the then communist dominated sport of skydiving. The team performed so well that on June 1, 1961 the Army officially recognized, designated and activated the team as the U.S. Army Parachute Team.
For 50 years the “Golden Knights” have been wowing audiences at air shows, competitions and most recently, with high profile tandems.
The two demonstration teams travel all over the country performing aerial demonstrations at air shows and special events in support of Army recruiting goals.
The two competition teams travel, competing nationally and internationally at various skydiving competitions, continuously bringing home gold, silver and bronze medals. They are the most successful U.S. Department of Defense sports team.
While the Tandem Team focuses on bringing the public closer to the Army and the sport of skydiving.
“The Tandem Team enables the Army to reach out to influential citizens and give them a taste of the professionalism, leadership and teamwork that is involved in giving them a tandem,” said Lt. Colonel Joe Martin, U.S. Army Parachute Team, “Golden Knights.”
The Golden Knights not only perform at air shows, compete on an international level and perform high profile tandems they also visit high schools and work with local recruiters showing young adults what type of opportunities the Army has for them.
