Christopher Kirchoff and Mercer University Spend the Day with the Golden Knights.

Today the Tandem Team had a few special guests. Christopher Kirchoff, a Gates Scholar, came out today to make his first parachute jump with the Tandem Team. Kirchoff also has a PhD in social and political science, he also served as the editor of the Space Shuttle Columbia Investigation report and lead writer of Hard Lessons: The Iraq Reconstruction Experience. Also today Staff Members from Mercer University in Georgia drove up to experience free fall at 120 mph.

The weather held out today as clouds and winds were forecasted to increase throughout the day. Jump after jump our passengers and new friends landed with huge smiles. Its hard to tell people what its like to jump out of an air plane, but thanks to the Golden Knights tandem team 9 more people have experienced free falling from 13,500 ft. It took a little personal courage for a few, and trust in soldiers for the rest.

In the photos

Christopher Kirchoff and SFC Mike Elliott get ready to exit the twin otter.

Kirchoff and SFC Elliott in free fall and then the parachute opens.

Emilee Mercer Administrative Coordinator from Mercer University Resource center and SFC Mike Elliott about to exit

Donna Bailey Mercer University assistant cross country coach and SSG Joe Jones.

Robert Murphey, assistant director of athletics and SSG Jon Ewald