Blue Skies and a Little Extra Altitude

Luckily, there is air conditioning in the Golden Knights training facility at Laurinburg-Maxton airport in Laurinburg, NC. The temperatures got up to the mid-nineties in the early afternoon, but not even Mother Nature could dampen the motivation and focus of Black Team training day. The Team completed a total of five jumps: two from 3500 feet, two from 12,500 feet, and one from 14,000 feet (the extra altitude was a little treat from the pilots for the last jump of the day).

SSG Todd Beckel (left) and SFC Arlyn Slade exit the aircraft, SSG Howie Sanborn stands at the edge of the door (Rachel Medley)

The main focus of today’s training was working on freefall formations the Team uses on show site, perfecting the building process and fine-tuning the jumpers’ body positions while in the formations. Quick completion and correct body position is important because on every performance jump there is always a photo mission. Black Team has three freefall photographers (SSG Todd Beckel, SSG Trevor Oppenborn, and SGT Rachel Medley), who rotate duties from jump to jump, taking pictures and video of the formations for media and to document the Team’s history. The freefall photographers each have a special helmet that is specially fitted with both a video and still camera. The still camera is capable of snapping up to six frames per second with a remote shutter apparatus, which fits in the photographer’s mouth and is activated by pressing the tongue switch.

In addition to improving technical skills, the team also builds camaraderie, trust, and confidence through these training days. Parachuting has certain inherent risks, especially when the performances involve tight landing areas, crowds of people, and obstacles. By training between performances, the Team is able to work together and mitigate these risks by being as proficient as possible.