Director of Fayetteville Art Museum Has a Tandem Jump

U S Army Parachute Team Tandems Twelve

Mr. Tom Grubb  well known Sculptor and Director of Fayetteville Museum of Art went on the thrill ride of his life. Tom Loves to go to Vegas and amusement parks and ride everything.Well, Tuesday was “J” (JUMP) Day. The day he has waited for all of his life. Well Mother Nature had other plans. The sky was literally falling, bucket upon bucket of water with the first storm of the season. Plan B was Wednesday morning 8:30 at Lauringburg, NC drop zone,which is the Golden Knights’ training facility.

Tom said he could not image how wonderful the jump would be and was excited to have his wife Elana come out to witness this monumental day in his life. I asked Tom what he liked best about the jump and he said,”Well the freefall… the freefall was REALLY Fast!! and the canopy ride was just so peaceful, the clouds, the sky,all the beautiful colors. There was even a jet stream right there!”

Eleven other Soldiers from DENTAC and the Staff Judge Advocates Office were gathered in the classroom awaiting their training. SFC Michael Elliott showed them  a Legal Waiver Agreement and several motivational videos prior to the explanation on the tandem parachute rig, which each instructor would be wearing. After signing and exchanging the legal tandem waiver release, all scurried to put on their black and gold jump suit. The excitement flourished as they posed and chatted in various areas of the hangar and dropzone. Each eagerly awaited their turn as they gazed in to the beautiful blue fluffy cloud sky as black and gold chutes encircled the entire area.

Members of the 8-way team were continually running by to one of the teams Otters carrying the American Flag, while training for the upcoming world meet. One after the other the demonstration teams where landing dead center on the brilliant orange and black target in the center of the drop zone. Gold demo team members were doing a side by side to a down plane donning the bright red and white NC State Flags. The teams were also training  with a new canopy  and bringing in a 2-stack with the new Army Flag Logo parachute which they will jump this Memorial Day Weekend.

1. Perfect landing with SFC Michael Elliott

2.Elana and Tom Waiting for 3rd lift

3.SFC Elliott helping Tom with harness

4. Leaving on a Jet Plane

5. LTC Arnheiter and LTC Lanacaster in front of GK Otter

6. LTC Ohlweiler and group