TEAM USA: GK-8 WAY Competition Team

Meet the Members of the 2010 8-Way Competition Team of YOUR United States Army Parachute Team, THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS who are competing as a part of TEAM USA at the World Parachuting Championships in Menzelinsk, Russia:

SFC Brian “BK” Krause is a 52X Maintenance Supervisor and the 8 Way Team Leader and Outside Center for the GK-8.  Brian last deployed to Iraq 6 months ago in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).  Brian joined the Army in 1991 and became the Team Leader of the 8-Way Team in 2006. He has over 14,000 parachute jumps.

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SFC Kurt Isenbarger is an 88M Transportation Supervisor and the 8 Way Team’s Rear Floater.  Kurt last deployed to Iraq 6 months ago in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).  Kurt joined the Army in 1990 and joined the 8-Way Team in 1998-2003; and 2007 until now. He has over 13,100 parachute jumps.

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SFC Matt Davidson is a 92R Parachute Rigger and the 8 Way Team’s One Up.  Matt last deployed to Iraq 6 months ago in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).  Matt joined the Army in 1992 and joined the 8-Way Team in 1995-2000; and again from 2003 until now.  He has over 16,800 parachute jumps.

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SSG Matt Acord is a 92Y Supply Technician and the 8 Way Team’s Rear Diver.  Matt last deployed to Iraq 6 months ago in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).  Matt joined the Army in 1998 and joined the 8-Way Team in 2009.  He has over 4,500 parachute jumps.

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SFC Larry Miller is an 11B Airborne Ranger and the 8 Way Team’s Tail.  Larry last deployed to Iraq 6 months ago in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).  Larry joined the Army in 2000 and joined the 8-Way Team in 2004.  He has over 4,500 parachute jumps.

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SSG Josh Coleman is a 92R Parachute Rigger and the 8 Way Team’s Front Diver.  Josh last deployed to Iraq 6 months ago in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Josh joined the Army in 2001 and joined the 8-Way Team in 2009.  He has over 4,500 parachute jumps.

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SSG Sean “The Kid” Sweeney is an 11B an Airborne Infantryman and the 8 Way Team’s Inside Center.  Sean last deployed to Iraq 6 months ago in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).  Sean joined the Army in 2003 and joined the 8-Way Team in 2006.  He has over 4,000 parachute jumps.

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SSG Justin “Biz” Blewitt is a 92R Parachute Rigger and the 8 Way Team’s Point.  Justin last deployed to Iraq 6 months ago in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).  Justin joined the Army in 2004 and joined the 8-Way Team in 2009. He has over 4,500 parachute jumps.

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SSG Drew Starr is a 35F Military Intelligence and the 8 Way Team’s Videographer.  Because he is a Soldier first, Drew will no doubt deploy  at some point in the future to support operations in the United States Central Command Area of Operations.  Drew joined the Army in 2003 and joined the 8-Way Team in 2010.  He has over 2,500 parachute jumps.

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SGT Mike LaRoche is an 88M Transportation Specialist and the 8 Way Team’s Alternate.  Mike last deployed to Iraq 6 months ago in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).  Mike 2002 joined Air Force for 5 1/2 years before joining the Army in 2008 and joined the 8-Way Team in 2009.  Raised in Riverside, Iowa (population 900), Mike has over 2,500 parachute jumps.