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Leapfest Tests Skills of U.S., International Paratroopers

Aug. 5, 2025 |DOD News

A paratrooper descends in a blue sky, with the parachute billowing above the paratrooper and a helicopter flying overhead.
A paratrooper descends in a blue sky, with the parachute billowing above the paratrooper and a helicopter flying overhead.
Hand-Steering
A Leapfest competitor makes a static line airborne jump from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during the event at Glen Rock Drop Zone, Exeter, R.I., Aug. 2, 2025. The international competition designed to promote high-level technical training and esprit de corps within the airborne community judges paratroopers on how quickly they can land, execute a landing fall and reach a specific target area.
Download: Full Size (1.5 MB)
Credit: Army Staff Sgt. Eric Kestner
VIRIN: 250802-A-CG814-1089P

U.S. Army and international paratroopers jumped against each other during Leapfest, Aug. 2, 2025. Hosted by the 56th Troop Command of the Rhode Island Army National Guard, the event is the largest and oldest global static line parachute training event and competition.

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The competing paratroopers jumped from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter and used MC-6 parachutes — which have steerable canopies — to navigate toward designated target areas within the drop zone.

Their performances were judged on how quickly they could land, their execution of a parachute landing fall and their ability to land at the specific target area.


Two paratroopers descend in the sky with their parachutes out on a cloudless day.
Two paratroopers descend in the sky with their parachutes out on a cloudless day.
Down Time
U.S. Army and international paratroopers conduct a static line airborne jump during Leapfest at Glen Rock Drop Zone, Exeter, R.I., Aug. 2, 2025. The international training event and competition hosted by the 56th Troop Command, Rhode Island Army National Guard, promotes high-level technical training and esprit de corps within the international airborne community.
Download: Full Size (1.29 MB)
Credit: Army Staff Sgt. Eric Kestner
VIRIN: 250802-A-CG814-1065P
A parachuting soldier descends in a cloudless blue sky.
A parachuting soldier descends in a cloudless blue sky.
Sky High
A soldier conducts a static line airborne jump during Leapfest at Glen Rock Drop Zone, Exeter, R.I., Aug. 2, 2025. The international training event and competition is designed to promote high-level technical training and esprit de corps within the international airborne community.
Download: Full Size (1.63 MB)
Credit: Army Staff Sgt. Eric Kestner
VIRIN: 250802-A-CG814-1092P
A paratrooper lands on a grassy field as others stand in the background on a sunny day.
A paratrooper lands on a grassy field as others stand in the background on a sunny day.
Land Fall
A competitor of Leapfest finishes a static line airborne jump during the event at Glen Rock Drop Zone, Exeter, R.I., Aug. 2, 2025. The international competition designed to promote high-level technical training and esprit de corps within the airborne community judges paratroopers on how quickly they can land, execute a landing fall and reach a specific target area.
Download: Full Size (1.25 MB)
Credit: Army Staff Sgt. Eric Kestner
VIRIN: 250802-A-CG814-1462P

The competition is both individual and team-based, with the fastest combined times determining the winners. However, the greater purpose of Leapfest is to promote the camaraderie and esprit de corps of the airborne soldier through international competition.

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Download: Full Size ({{filesize}})
Credit: {{photographer}}
VIRIN: {{virin}}
A paratrooper pulls on cords attached to a round parachute and descends on a cloudless, sunny day.
Seven military service members wearing caps stand in a grassy field and look skyward on a sunny day.
A paratrooper pulls on cords attached to a parachute and descends on a cloudless, sunny day.
A paratrooper falls forward on a grassy field with the parachute behind the paratrooper; trees are in the background.
A paratrooper falls toward a pad on a grassy field, as another person holding a clipboard stands behind the paratrooper; trees are in the background.
A soldier wearing a parachute runs in a field during the day.
A soldier kneels on a grassy field and pulls at a strap of an attached parachute blowing in the opposite direction of the soldier.
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A pair of paratroopers descend near each other in a blue sky, with their parachutes billowing above them.
A pair of paratroopers descend near each other in a blue sky, with their parachutes billowing above them.
Downward Spiral
Leapfest competitors make a static line airborne jump during the event at Glen Rock Drop Zone, Exeter, R.I., Aug. 2, 2025. The international competition designed to promote high-level technical training and esprit de corps within the airborne community judges paratroopers on how quickly they can land, execute a landing fall and reach a specific target area.
Download: Full Size (1.47 MB)
Credit: Army Staff Sgt. Eric Kestner
VIRIN: 250802-A-CG814-1084P

national guard Army leapfest leapfest 25 Training

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