Special Ops cleans up at Leapfest skydiving competition

Special Operations Detachment-Pacific took the top spot at LEAPFEST, the largest military skydiving competition of its kind this August.

Called Leapfest, and hosted by the Rhode Island National Guard, the competition is the largest static line parachuting competition in the world and is intended to inspire camaraderie and esprit de corps amongst Airborne troops across the branches of service as well as international allies who attend.

In the competition, four-person teams jump at an altitude of 1,500 feet from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter with an MC-6 steerable static line parachute. On the drop zone is a marked target on the ground that jumpers aim to land at or near. Each team receives points based on how close they get to the assigned area.

Lt. Col. Denny Frey and Command Sgt. Maj. Brendan Headrick from Special Operations Detachment-Pacific who were supported by Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Phipps and Sgt. Jennifer Hernandezdiaz of the 1161 Rigger Detachment took first place this year.

"To be the top paratroopers in a competition like this, going against some of the absolute best in the world is an incredible honor," Frey said . "We continue to find ways to showcase the incredible talent and professionalism we have in SOD-P and the proficiency that exists within the National Guard."

Frey and Headrick also welcomed troops from the Malaysian Army’s 10th Rapid Deployment Force whom they helped prepare for the competition. "While this was the Malaysian Army’s 10th Rapid Deployment Force first time participating in Leapfest, they competed well and are hungry for more state partnership engagements and opportunities to grow the relationship between Malaysia and the Washington National Guard," Frey said.

Leapfest is held every August and is open to members of the public who wish to spectate.