Page 50 - World Airshow News Final

StICk tIME WItH...

The author and Sgt 1st Class
Ryan Reis freefall through
The U.S. Army the North Carolina sky (photo
courtesy of the author).
Golden Knights

A irshow audiences around the
By Alexis Noel

country feel the rush of patri-
otism and swell with pride as
they watch members of the U.S. Army’s
Golden Knights Parachute Team leap
from their aircraft and streak toward the
earth streaming brightly colored smoke
trails. The golden chutes deploy, and a
large American Flag leads the aerial pa-
rade of jumpers down to pinpoint land-
ings in front of the crowd. With each
performance, the Golden Knights inspire
yet another generation to join their ranks
among the world’s finest men and women
in uniform. with a safety briefing. Watching footage From 12,500 feet, the world unfold-
In the summer of 2023, I received a of the Golden Knights soaring through ed below me in an endless, breathtak-
once-in-a-lifetime invitation to skydive the St. Louis Arch on the Mississippi Riv- ing panorama. The transition from the
with the Golden Knights. The team offers erfront felt particularly poignant for us. roaring freefall to the serene glide of the
tandem jump opportunities to select vet- The briefing was thorough, and while the parachute was magical. Floating qui-
erans and members of the media who will details of skydiving safety momentarily etly through the air, I could hold a nor-
in turn spread the word about careers in made me question my sanity, the excite- mal conversation with my instructor as
the U.S. Army. The offer was for me and ment outweighed the nerves. he performed a few exhilarating canopy
seven other members of the Army Avia- As the group’s planner, I was “volun- turns.` The landing required precision.
tion Heritage Foundation Gateway Chap- told” to be on the first load. Before I knew My job was to lift my feet and stay out of
ter in St. Louis, Missouri, where I serve it, I was suited up and receiving a briefing the instructor’s way. We executed a flaw-
as a Safety Crew Chief on Huey 104. The from my tandem instructor, Sgt 1st Class less slide-in landing, and just like that, the
thought of leaping out of an airplane with Ryan Reis. Soon the hum of a Twin Ot- jump was complete.
the Golden Knights was exhilarating ter filled the air as the aircraft taxied up A month later, the Golden Knights
enough, but sharing the adventure with to us. Having spent years around aviation, were in St. Louis to perform at the Great
my teammates made it an unforgettable including hot-loading Huey’s, I thought I Forest Park Balloon Race. To show our ap-
opportunity. was prepared for anything. But stepping preciation for the unforgettable skydiving
Our plans were set for August, but into a running turboprop outfitted for adventure, we arranged for the Golden
a week and a half before our scheduled skydiving was its own kind of thrill! Knights to take a local flight in our UH-
jump, we were notified that a training The moment of truth approached. 1H Huey 104. The team thoroughly en-
event had been rescheduled, forcing the Standing at the door, staring into the vast joyed their flight over the Missouri River.
cancellation of our skydive. The disap- expanse below, was surreal. I focused on Skydiving with the U.S. Army Golden
pointment was palpable. Our jump was my instructor’s guidance: head back, arch Knights was one of the most incredible
moved to August 2024, one year away. your body into a “C,” and trust the pro- experiences of my life. Their professional-
The wait felt endless, but it was more than cess. Before I had time to overthink it, we ism and expertise were unmatched, and
worth it. were out of the door. Freefalling through they made every moment unforgettable.
When the day finally arrived, our the sky is an experience unlike any other. The experience deepened my respect for
eight chapter members – Kent Clark, For a moment, I felt like nothing more the Golden Knights and their mission,
Jonathan Carey, Ernie and Janet Bradow, than a pair of eyes hurtling through space, and it strengthened the bond between the
Scott Rose, Craig and Tracy Lopez, and too overwhelmed to comprehend what Gateway Chapter and this elite team.
me – stood outside the Golden Knights my body was doing. The rush of adrena-
training facility in Laurinburg, North line was incredible. Then the cameraman
Carolina. The morning air buzzed with swooped into view, and my surroundings
anticipation. Inside, we kicked things off suddenly came into focus.

www.airshowmag.com 50 The Final Issue