FORT LIBERTY, N.C. - The annual LEAPFEST International Parachute Competition kicked off in Exeter, Rhode Island, July 31- Aug. 9. The competition attracts paratroopers from across the globe to jump in friendly competition and engage in esprit de corps.
“LEAPFEST is the largest and longest-running international parachuting competition, and it has been held annually for almost 40 years,” Staff Sgt. Michael Iacona, noncommissioned officer in charge for the 110th Public Affairs Detachment of the Rhode Island National Guard, said. “The event brings together U.S. and international participants. It serves as an opportunity for the teams to work together, share expertise and train in a competitive event.”
Iacona added the competition began in 1982 by a Green Beret in 19th Special Forces Group, based in Rhode Island, and involves a series of airborne operations with the intent of paratroopers landing as near as possible to a target on the drop zone.
Ten other countries were represented in this year’s competition: Armenia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and the United Kingdom. The competition showcased approximately 600 jumps performed by 244 competitors representing 61 teams. Eight Soldiers represented the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.
“USAJFKSWCS teams were able to engage with over 240 jumpers from across the joint force and the international airborne community,” 1st Sgt. Lopez, a competitor from USAJFKSWCS’s MSG David K. Thuma Noncommissioned Officer Academy,” said. “[W]e performed very well at the event with team members placing in the top 20 percent out of 244 competitors with one of the USAJFKSWCS teams placing 15th out of 61 teams.”
Jumpers exited from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at an altitude of 1,500 feet (457 meters) using an MC-6 static line, steerable, parabolic parachute.
The format for the competition consisted of four static-line jumpers. Competitors aimed to land as close as possible to a marked, designated area within the landing zone. Upon landing and completing a parachute landing fall, competitors were then timed on how quickly they could reach the target. The closer to the target the competitors landed, the better their score.
“This type of competition has a direct and positive impact on sustained airborne training and readiness,” Lopez said. “This event significantly increased jumpers’ confidence and ability to manipulate their canopies to conduct a precision point landing […] Jumpers can now utilize these skills when conducting airborne operations at their home station, improving jumper safety and ability to avoid obstacles.”
The competition provided a platform for the instructors to display the professionalism of the NCO Academy at USAJFKSWCS. Partnerships are key for Army special operations forces, and this competition afforded the opportunity to interact with allied service members and other international special operations members.
“Team members trained hard and challenged themselves by pushing their parachuting skills outside of their comfort zones,” Lopez said. “The esprit de corps of the international airborne community was second to none at this event. All paratroopers participating had a tremendous amount of unit pride and comradery for their fellow jumpers. Joint training inspired confidence in U.S. equipment and jumpmasters, as well as that of our partner-nation teams.”
Note: For Identity Management considerations, names associated with USAJFKSWCS have been shortened to protect identity.
The U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (USAJFKSWCS) at Fort Liberty, N.C., is one of the Army's premier education institutions, managing and resourcing professional growth for Soldiers in the Army's three distinct special operations branches: Special Forces, Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations.
For more information about the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, visit www.swcs.mil.
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