Leap Fest 2009 Aviation Support
U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Dan Herley, 126th Aviation

KINGSTON, R.I. - Aviators from Detachment 1, Company B, 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation, were once more called upon to provide aerial support for the 27th Annual International Military Parachute Competition “Leap Fest” that is hosted by the Rhode Island Army National Guard.
Leap Fest is an exercise which develops the command and control of Army Aviation to deliver a maneuver force on the tactical objective with precision and in a timely manner to conduct combat operations. There is a competitive aspect to the exercise as well, which builds camaraderie and esprit de corps among the U.S. and International Community.
Teams are from all over the world, including Canada, Germany, El Salvador, Britain, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Peru, and others. Teams consist of 4 jumpers and 1 alternate. The competition is for the jumpers to land as close to the big orange X in the middle of the drop zone. Judges time them from when they leave the aircraft to when they reach the X. Winners are based on the fastest individual time and the team with the best time combined. For more about this event, go to:www.leapfest.com
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