We are fortunate to share Strikehold.net’s coverage of Leapfest 2019, the annual military parachuting competition hosted by the Rhode Island National Guard.

Leapfest is the largest, longest standing, international static line parachute training event and competition. Conducted by the Rhode Island Army National Guard, the purpose of Leapfest is to promote international camaraderie and Esprit de Corps among Airborne Soldiers, while also showcasing the capabilities of the Rhode Island National Guard.

Paratroopers are specially selected, trained, and highly disciplined soldiers. They are able to rapidly deploy, land, and sustain a powerful combat force to achieve strategic objectives – such as seizing and holding key terrain or infrastructure. They can also be dropped behind enemy lines to conduct raids and other types of tactical interdiction missions. They are typically used as countries’ rapid deployment forces, with the ability to operate on any terrain in any environment with little warning.

Airborne forces can vary in size from an airborne company, a regimental combat team, or to an entire division or corps. To become a paratrooper, a soldier must go through rigorous physical and psychological training and conditioning in order to be ready to jump and fight without hesitation.

Leapfest is routinely attended by teams from across the Armed Forces of the United States (both Active and Reserve forces) as well as multiple international teams. Participants aim to land as close as possible to a marked, designated area within the landing zone. Upon landing and completing a PLF (parachute landing fall), participants are timed by qualified judges until they reach the designated area.

Each team consists of 5 participants: 4 jumpers and 1 alternate jumper. Each jumper must complete 2 jumps to be qualified for the individual award, and each team must complete 8 jumps in total to be qualified for the team award.

Jumpers exit from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at an altitude of 1500 feet (457 meters) using an MC-6 static line, steerable, parabolic parachute. The MC-6 is the latest advanced-design steerable, round-canopy, parachute, and was developed through the Special Operations Forces Tactical Assault Parachute Systems (SOFTAPS) program. The MC-6 utilizes the same SF-10A canopy that has been in use with US Special Operations Forces for over 10 years. The MC-6 Maneuverable Troop Parachute System consists of the SF-10A Main Canopy, the T-11R Reserve, and the T-11 Harness.

This year there was a total of 35 teams from the US and 20 teams from 12 international Partner Nations. This year’s international teams hail from Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Qatar, South Africa, United Kingdom and New Zealand.

In addition to the competition, Leapfest also features a day of friendship jumps conducted by international Jump Masters, followed by a Wings Exchange Ceremony prior to the official Closing Ceremonies.

Further info about Leapfest can be found online and on Facebook.

To view all of the photos taken during the competition, visit strikehold.net/2019/08/04/leapfest-2019.

Thanks Lawrence!

On May 23, the USPA Board of Directors’ Executive Committee voted to allow USPA members to jump with the U.S. round parachute groups that are recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration. USPA members may perform static-line jumps with these groups using the groups’ equipment at their own airport locations, at FAA-approved airshows and demonstrations, and at events in foreign countries governed by those countries’ aviation authorities. USPA specifies that these static-line jumps must be at a minimum altitude of 1,500 feet above ground level.

USPA members who have been qualified by these groups to act as instructors and jumpmasters may serve as instructors and jumpmasters to anyone who is a member of a round canopy group prior to May 25, 2019.

This action removes any uncertainty about USPA member participation with the upcoming jumps by the round canopy groups in Europe in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944.

The approved Executive Committee motion reads, “Effective immediately, USPA members who are members of a civilian parachute group listed with the FAA’s National Aviation Events Program may jump with that group using the following equipment and altitude:

• Minimum altitude 1,500 feet AGL

• Static-line deployed

• Round main

• Chest-mounted reserve

• Reserve static line not required

• Automatic activation device not required

• Altimeter not required

USPA members who are members of such groups may act as an instructor or jumpmaster, if so qualified by their group, using the above altitude and equipment, for those members of the group who have made a jump with that group, using the above altitude and equipment, prior to May 25, 2019, and may act as an instructor or jumpmaster for any member of the group who is a graduate of a military jump school as verified by DD214 or other military records.

These allowances do not extend to jumps at Group Member DZs, but only to the groups’ own locations, and at airshows and demonstrations allowed by the FAA or another country’s aviation authorities.”

Those with questions about what activities fall under this motion can email safety@uspa.org.

Via The Parachutist