Up, up and away: A ride with the Golden Knights

Being an Army veteran is something of which I am very proud. During my time as an active-duty soldier, I had the chance to some pretty cool things and see some pretty cool places.

One thing I never got the opportunity to do was to attend the Airborne course, which trains and qualifies a soldier as a military parachutist upon completion.

At the time, I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything. Looking back now, I know I did. However, as luck would have it, I got the chance this past weekend to experience just a little of what it means to be an Army paratrooper.

The U.S. Army Parachute Team -- The Golden Knights -- were in Jacksonville Beach, putting on an exhibition as part of the biennial Sea & Sky Air Show.

I had written a story on the Golden Knights the week prior in advance of their performance, which appeared in the special section the Times-Union produced in conjunction with the air show. The civilians and soldiers I spoke to could not have been more kind or accommodating.

They sent me a media packet full of all types of information, answering my million-and-one questions. I got background and history on the unit, their selection and training.

Best of all though, they got me a seat on board to ride into the sky with the Golden Knights as they took off, and (to steal a line from the U.S. Air Force) went into the wild blue yonder. They would dazzle the throng of people waiting on the ground to see the amazing things the best and most accomplished skydiving group in the world could show.

I arrived at Naval Station Mayport 90 minutes before takeoff as instructed and made my way out to the plane to meet the team. It was a C-147 Dash 8, revamped to make it more friendly for the paratroopers and their equipment. More than half the seating had been removed, as well as most of the overhead bins.

At the time of my arrival, the team was making its way back from the beach where they had finished the first demonstration of the day. They would return to the airfield, repack their parachutes, run through another on-ground rehearsal (one of the keys of the military mission planning process is rehearsal), and go up for round two, this time with me riding along.

While I waited, I met the flight crew. It consisted of two pilots, David Clay, Ken Breeden (both retired chief warrant officer fives) and Sgt. Devin McNutt. I talked to them for a bit, until the team showed up.

I shook hands with Staff Sgt. Gerlach, whom I had spoken with at length for the previous article. After exchanging pleasantries, he headed off to repack his parachute just like the other team members.

A short while later, after the team grabbed a quick break and lunch, it was time for a short rehearsal. I was on the plane with the team as they were getting themselves together. I was required to sign a waiver and receive an extensive safety briefing.

I was getting more and more excited as the time got closer. The pilots started the plane and I put on the hoodie I brought along, for the freezing temperatures I would experience at about 12,500 feet.

The team suited up with all their gear. Some wore specially designed rigs for their boots, which held cans of colored smoke that would signal their descent, along with their black and gold parachutes.

Many also had harnesses on their helmets that held Go-Pro cameras, and one even had a DSLR mounted. I always wondered how they got those amazing pictures of the skydivers while they literally were falling out of the sky.

The plane started to pick up speed on the runway and the team stomped in unison as the plane took off.

While all the prep was taking place, I was taking advantage and snapping pictures. I was back and forth between my OnePlus 7 Pro smartphone and the old faithful Canon 6D. I would be snapping pictures and capturing video through the duration of the flight.

The plane climbed and I looked out the door while the earth got further and further and away. At that moment, I was thankful to be strapped in as tightly as I was.

While the plane went up, I took pictures of the guys. I was amazed at how relaxed they seemed to be as they waited for the right location and conditions to make the leap out of the plane.

Finally, the team was ready. This was what I had been waiting to see. I leaned back as far as I could (I was sitting to the immediate left of the door on the same side) and started recording a new video clip. I had to get the actual jump! Soldiers climbed out of the door and held onto either side of the door frame, with the rest of the team stacked just inside.

Suddenly the two on the outside of the plane let go, and the rest of the team followed out of the door. In less than five seconds, the ambassadors of the sky were headed for their aerial embassy. The plane roared away, leaving them all to their descent into the middle of an excited and anxiously awaiting crowd on the ground.

It was one of the most thrilling things I have ever seen. I wondered if, had the tandem skydiving team been onsite, would I have the intestinal fortitude to strap up with one of them and take the leap. I honestly don't know if I would have, but even still, just being there and seeing what I saw was exhilarating.

The expertise, professionalism and skill of these men were awesome to witness. It made me proud all over again to have once worn the same uniform as they do.

Bruce Hope is an intern for the Florida Times-Union in his senior year at UNF, where he is majoring in communications with a concentration in multimedia journalism and production. He served nine years in the U.S. Army as an information technology specialist.

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