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Paratroopers Seek Jump Perfection at Leapfest

Aug. 10, 2023 |DOD News

Paratroopers from the U.S. and around the globe joined together to test their skills and precision in the skies above Rhode Island during Leapfest 2023, the largest static line parachute training event and competition in the world.

The international event is hosted by the 56th Troop Command, Rhode Island Army National Guard to promote high-level technical training and esprit de corps within the global airborne community. Both individuals and teams can compete.

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Parachute Preps

Paratroopers begin with a safety briefing before getting their chutes and having their equipment checked by an Army jumpmaster. Once the inspection is complete, it's time to load up for the jump.

Paratroopers stand together in a large room.
Paratroopers stand together in a large room.
Safety Briefing
Army and international paratroopers attend a safety brief before donning their MC-6 parachutes during Leapfest at the Quonset Army Aviation Support Facility in Washington County, R.I., Aug. 5, 2023. Leapfest is the largest, longest standing, international static line parachute training event and competition hosted by the 56th Troop Command, Rhode Island Army National Guard to promote high level technical training and esprit de corps within the international airborne community.
Download: Full Size (4.41 MB)
Credit: Army Sgt. Eric Kestner
VIRIN: 230805-A-CG814-1023A
An airman receivers his parachutes.
An airman receivers his parachutes.
Getting Equipped
An Air Force paratrooper receives his MC-6 parachute and reserve parachute during Leapfest at the Quonset Army Aviation Support Facility in Washington County, R.I., Aug. 5, 2023. Leapfest is the largest, longest standing, international static line parachute training event and competition hosted by the 56th Troop Command, Rhode Island Army National Guard to promote high level technical training and esprit de corps within the international airborne community.
Download: Full Size (3.25 MB)
Credit: Army Sgt. Eric Kestner
VIRIN: 230805-A-CG814-1041
A man inspects a paratrooper's equipment.
A man inspects a paratrooper's equipment.
Jumpmaster Inspection
An Army jumpmaster performs a jumpmaster personnel inspection for a British paratrooper before the familiarization jump during Leapfest at Quonset Point Air National Guard Base, R.I., Aug. 2, 2023. Leapfest is the largest, longest standing, international static line parachute training event and competition hosted by the Rhode Island Army National Guard to promote high level technical training and esprit de corps within the international airborne community.
Download: Full Size (3.52 MB)
Credit: Army Staff Sgt. Keith Thornburgh
VIRIN: 230802-A-FU327-1012
Paratroopers sit in a group with their equipment.
Paratroopers sit in a group with their equipment.
Loading Up
British paratroopers wait to load up on a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during Leapfest at the Quonset Army Aviation Support Facility in Washington County, R.I., Aug. 5, 2023. Leapfest is the largest, longest standing, international static line parachute training event and competition hosted by the 56th Troop Command, Rhode Island Army National Guard to promote high level technical training and esprit de corps within the international airborne community.
Download: Full Size (2.58 MB)
Credit: Army Sgt. Eric Kestner
VIRIN: 230805-A-CG814-1133

Leap Into Action

Jumpers exit from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at an altitude of 1500 feet using a static line, steerable, parabolic parachute.

Two paratroopers descend from the sky.
Two paratroopers descend from the sky.
Double Down
International paratroopers descend onto the Glen Rock Drop Zone from a Ch-47 Chinook helicopter during Leapfest at Exeter, R.I., Aug. 5, 2023. Leapfest is the largest, longest standing, international static line parachute training event and competition hosted by the 56th Troop Command, Rhode Island Army National Guard to promote high level technical training and esprit de corps within the international airborne community.
Download: Full Size (1.07 MB)
Credit: Army Sgt. Eric Kestner
VIRIN: 230805-A-CG814-1190
A British soldier wearing a parachute pack jumps out of the open doorway of an airborne aircraft with clouds and greenery in the distance.
A British soldier wearing a parachute pack jumps out of the open doorway of an airborne aircraft with clouds and greenery in the distance.
Taking a Leap
A British soldier jumps out of a U.S. Army Ch-47 Chinook helicopter onto Glen Rock drop zone during Leapfest in Exeter, R.I., Aug. 2, 2023. The static line parachute event and competition promotes high level technical training and esprit de corps within the international airborne community.
Download: Full Size (1.83 MB)
Credit: Army Reserve Sgt. Eric Kestner
VIRIN: 230801-A-CG814-1776M
A paratrooper descends from the sky.
A paratrooper descends from the sky.
Looking Up
An Army paratrooper jumps from a CH-47 helicopter to the Glen Rock Drop Zone during Leapfest at Exeter, R.I., Aug. 5, 2023. Leapfest is the largest, longest standing, international static line parachute training event and competition hosted by the 56th Troop Command, Rhode Island Army National Guard to promote high level technical training and esprit de corps within the international airborne community.
Download: Full Size (1.44 MB)
Credit: Army Sgt. Eric Kestner
VIRIN: 230805-A-CG814-1290

X Marks the Spot

The goal is to land as close as possible to a marked, designated area within the landing zone — if they miss — judges time the participants as they run to the sweet spot.

A paratrooper runs toward an orange target with his parachute behind him.
A paratrooper runs toward an orange target with his parachute behind him.
Target Race
A British paratrooper runs to get to the target with his MC-6 parachute during Leapfest at Exeter, R.I., Aug. 5, 2023. Leapfest is the largest, longest standing, international static line parachute training event and competition hosted by the 56th Troop Command, Rhode Island Army National Guard to promote high level technical training and esprit de corps within the international airborne community.
Download: Full Size (1.86 MB)
Credit: Army Sgt. Eric Kestner
VIRIN: 230805-A-CG814-1262

A paratrooper prepares to hit the ground.
A paratrooper prepares to hit the ground.
Touching Down
An Army paratrooper performs a parachute landing fall onto the Glen Rock Drop Zone during Leapfest at Exeter, R.I., Aug. 5, 2023. Leapfest is the largest, longest standing, international static line parachute training event and competition hosted by the 56th Troop Command, Rhode Island Army National Guard to promote high level technical training and esprit de corps within the international airborne community.
Download: Full Size (3.31 MB)
Credit: Army Sgt. Eric Kestner
VIRIN: 230805-A-CG814-1233
A paratrooper lands in front of a group of people..
A paratrooper lands in front of a group of people..
Judgement Day
A British paratrooper performs a parachute landing fall in front of Leapfest judges at Glen Rock Drop Zone, Exeter, R.I., Aug. 5, 2023. Leapfest is the largest, longest standing, international static line parachute training event and competition hosted by the 56th Troop Command, Rhode Island Army National Guard to promote high level technical training and esprit de corps within the international airborne community.
Download: Full Size (1.51 MB)
Credit: Army Sgt. Eric Kestner
VIRIN: 230805-A-CG814-1329

Solo paratroopers must complete two jumps and teams must complete eight jumps. The individual or team with the lowest combined time is the Leapfest winner!

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