Tandem Team Begins Weekend Journey

 Thursday evening two members of the Tandem Team headed out on a road trip to Cincinnati, OH. SSG Joe Abeln and SSG Jon Ewald hauled the tandem equipment for the second Cincinnati Tandem camp. Since all Golden Knight aircraft was in use for the busy weekend of demonstrations, the only way to get the equipment to Cincinnati was to drive it. The two arrived in Cincinnati just hours before the rest of the Team on Friday.

 

While SSG Abeln and Ewald were driving north, the remaining team members began Friday with an early morning tandem jump and demonstration into the Pope Elemantry School. It was the last day of school for the students. They were thrilled to be outside to watch their Principal Dr Joel Grim land in front of the school. After landing Principal Grim was embraced by all the students cheering and clapping with excitement. It was a great way to end the school year.

 

With the first demo of the day done, the team packed up the their parachutes and headed back to the Team hanger to get ready for the next demonstration. Yes, two demonstrations in one day for the Tandem Team. After a short break the Team loaded up on the UV-18 Twin Otter to head to Hope Mills, NC. This time the demonstration was for the opening ceremony of the Special Forces Association Convention. It was an honor to be asked to perform for so many elite Soldiers. The crowd was ecstatic that the Golden Knights were jumping into the Convention. More than a 1000 Special Forces retirees and their familys cheered and welcomed the Tandem Team into the landing area. After a short stay to talk to the crowd, the Team was heading back to Fort Bragg.

 

With the demonstrations over and the parachutes packed back up, the Team headed back to Pope Air Force Base to again board an airplane. This time though, it was to fly to Cincinnati, OH for this weekends tandem camp. After a short 2 hour flight the Team was landing at Middletown airport.

 

With two demonstrations done and a flight to Cincinnati the Tandem teams day was finally done when we checked into our hotel. This is going to be a very busy weekend with demonstrations and Tandems. Stay tuned for more from Cincinnati.

 

Photos

 

SFC Mike Elliott and Dr Joel Grim on board the UV18 Twin Otter

 

SFC Eric Heinsheimer follows out the Tandem pair

 

Dr Grim gives SSG Joe Jones a very "high five"