Golden Knights "Train" Special Forces

[SOGvet]

As a (old) MFFI, a 3+ decade friend of many former members of the APT, and a friend of the current GK commander, I'll just say that the verbiage in Team Sergeant's post above was not written by anyone at the APT, it was written, edited and (extensively) modified by the author based on her personal observations, interviews and opinions of what she saw during her visit to the APT.

I'll also say that the Cdr has ensured me that at no time during his interview did he insinuate that the GKs are responsible for training SFODAs in MFF techniques. In his previous assignment he was personally responsible for MFF course slot allocations for all SFG(A)s, so he knows and understands the difference. It was the article's author who (most likely innocently) mis-stated the words in print.

All of us who've hauled our asses out the back of C141 (RIP) at 25K AGL at night w/ O2 and a 100lb ruck understand the difference between doing that and stepping out over 500,000 wide-eyed citizens enjoying an air show on the ground below. It appears to me that the author is the one who didn't...
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Edit / Follow-up. Received the following from the Cdr, Army Parachute Team asking me to post it here.

FROM THE GK COMMANDER:

Gentlemen,

I was notified of the blogs on the Quite Professional link and wanted to try and answer your questions. I asked that a mutual friend post my response, as I do not have an account and did not want to wait the customary three days.

My apologies, the five hours of interviews my Soldiers did about the history of the Army Parachute Team and ten minutes about how we can assist the MFF Teams, turned into the appearance that we run the MFF Course. That was not our intent.

Ms Dozier did a fantastic job conducting the interviews. When all the footage was sent to the producer, those additional minutes and hours were left on the cutting room floor. The angle they chose was our support to the military teams.

I’m sure some of you know me, I was honored to command MFF ODA 064 and have been on MFF Status since I graduated the Bragg course in 1994 with Jay Stokes and Alcee Richardson as my instructors.

As for the interview, we described the three missions assigned to the Parachute Team. Demonstration of Army Capability through precision freefall. Demonstration of Warrior spirit and team work through National and international competition, and specialized support, coaching and R&D for the MFF Teams.

There are less than 100 personnel here, including pilots, crew chiefs and staff. 54 of the NCOs do all the jumping, of which 14 are on the three competition teams. Of those 14, four are the Women’s Team. In the entire history of the Knights about 826 Soldiers have served here. We also don’t get money from the Army for the demos we do, the show sponsor pays the Army for fuel, rentals, rooms etc and then we can go do the show. My entire budget is less than a quarter of what is spent on NASCAR.

Last year we worked with three ODAs from 3rd SFG providing jump platforms to augment their Level 1 requals, freefall video so their team SGTs could better evaluate younger jumpers on their ODAs, and canopy coaching by my MFF qualified Soldiers who are also World Champion accuracy jumpers. The day footage in the interview is our Twin Otter. The night footage was one of my Soldiers providing night video support in a CASA. Several Soldiers were sent to us by their Team SGTs last year for one on one coaching and to build their jump numbers. We also ran one SWC instructor through Tandem certification and the MFF Instructors jump from my aircraft in Yuma any time they like. We provided specialized Rigger support and built several air items including Monkey Harnesses for 7th SFG. We also spent a week training with the Navy Leapfrogs and two months with the 82nd Team.

We are working with NATICK to evaluate new O2 systems for the MFF teams to take the burden off of USASFC and to provide very trained parachutist to evaluate the system before it goes to an MFF ODA for operational and field testing. As former Chief of Training at USASFC I was also asked to look the potential of the Wing Suit to enhance the capability of the MFF ODAs. We have been working with the manufacturer for better capability of those suits and just set a new US Record, flying 10 miles from 25,000 feet. The 32,000 foot attempt was cancelled when a C17 Crew member became ill. We will try that again in a few months and believe SSG Borger can exceed 15 miles, setting a new world record in the process. The video showed Borger with Gentex and O2 system over Yuma. Our goal is to develop a suit that can be used by a more novice jumper with small amounts of equipment. The equipment rigging is the next phase of testing.

During the interview I was asked why SF Teams conduct MFF and what their capability was. That was my description of the 35,000 foot exit and undetected landing next to an enemy’s door, used in the show. We always explain to civilian audience that the parachute demonstrations they see are similar to a SOF capability that they can join the Army to do. This is also a great way for us to tell America what USASFC is doing for them in training and in GWOT.

I see a few Soldiers here have had a bad experience in the past with a Golden Knight. For that I am sorry. SGM Ike has done a tremendous job over the last few years removing Soldiers who didn’t understand that this is the Army Parachute Team and not the GK Skyding club. If any of you ever have a problem with one of my Soldiers, my door is always open. It’s a great honor to represent the US Army and only the best will be allowed to do so. We have also just gotten permission to rotate my Soldiers in support of the CJSOTFs after the competition season ends and will work to see if that may allow a few USASFC Soldiers to come home for Thanksgiving and Christmas for a well deserved break.

I have made the following offer to CG USASOC and CG USASFC. Coaching and video for your MFF Teams and individuals, Tandem jumps for Soldiers preparing to go to the MFF Course, and Tandem jumps for VIPs who are influential to the success of the Regiment. Just realize this is a small unit and can’t coach everyone at the same time. I can also send one or two coaches/video to your location if you are not on Bragg.

If you are a Team SGT, please contact me at the HQ and let me know how we can help. About a third of my Soldiers are MFF qualified and I have several former MFF instructors. My Soldiers don’t jump combat equipment, but my ruck never tried to grab the plane on exit. These Soldiers also jump 45 pound smoke chains, and all manner of bags, cameras and equipment for their mission. They also land at night in the largest cities in the US, or the back of a bass boat (look at ‘Warriors on the Water’ on Utube). All things my MFF Team would never have attempted.

The Golden Knights were established almost entirely with SF Soldiers, and those same Golden Knights were pulled to create the first MFF course at Fort Bragg (there was also one in panama at the same time that did not involve the Knights). Last year my last SF Soldier retired after returning from OEF with 3rd SFG. We have a historical link with the Regiment and would like to re-establish it. A young 18X who has deployed several times could spend a few years here telling the SF story to the public and American Leadership, and then go to his MFF ODA with thousands of jumps under his belt. Just a proposal.

Thank you for all you do, and again, please let me know how I can assist?

V/R

Tony Dill
LTC, SF
Commander US Army Parachute Team
910-396-4800 (switchboard)

[gksweeney22]

Originally Posted by SF_BHT

I remember 3 different Golden Nights that went to MFF school and the ruck kicked their ass and they did not pass. Big difference skydiving and MFF.

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[SF_BHT]

Originally Posted by gksweeney22

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Nice Photo.. Ruck's look a little small....

Glad some of the boys had ruck's but it does not change the fact a few did have problems with ruck's in my day.

Had a former GK on my team in 3/5th SFG and he could fly circles around all of us with or without a ruck and he taught us all a lot. It all depends on the person. He did make excuses to jump without them "To Teach US" but he would put it all on and do the deed when it was needed.......

Also Knew a lot of people that wanted to Skydive on Halo Teams and you would have to hold a gun to their heads to do a ruck/O2 jump but they always were there for Hollywood jumps.

I never lump all people into a group just make observations.

PS: I have benefited from GK lift's and appreciated them when we needed help.

Thanks for the photo always like good shots.

[CSB]

Let's look back:

No canopy release assembly -> 2 shot canopy release assembly.

2 shot canopy release assembly -> 1 1/2 ("shot and a half" / cable) canopy release assembly.

1 1/2 shot canopy release assembly -> 3 ring circus.

===

Single point quick release box -> three point harness.

===

Pure deceleration (T-7, T-10) -> Blank gore with Derry slots, double-T, eliptical TU.

Blank gore with Derry slots, double-T, eliptical TU -> Inverted apex lifting body (MC-3, Para-Commander).

Inverted apex lifting body (MC-3, Para-Commander) -> Ram air inflated wing.

===


The common element?

Not one of them were invented by the U.S. Army/ U.S. Air Force, Natick Labs, or Yuma.

They all began with skydivers / sport parachutists, who were saving lives and jumping them years before they became type classified and entered the military inventory.

There is a lot of cross fertilization between the military parachute teams and military parachuting, both S/L and MFF.

The problem is getting the military to listen. We (101st Airborne Division Command Parachute Team "Screaming Eagles") were jumping three point harnesses, shot and a half canopy release assemblies, and Paracommanders (and later the Delta II, the Sled, the Volplane, Stratocloud, etc.) and kept up a steady drumbeat for the military to adopt at least some of the life-saving features. That was in the 1970's. It took the green machine years to do so. I think the Knights had something to do with it.

And yes, we jumped day / night / water / rucksacks* / freefall formations / canopy formations / HAHO (we called it "cross country").

None of the members of our team had any problem at all with what they were to carry/fly in free fall or landing.


DISCLAIMER: Not a Knight, I am former member of the 101st Airborne Division Parachute Team "Screaming Eagles" and the Indianhead Parachute Team (2nd ID, ROK). USPA D-3794.

*No brag, just fact: Like most "old time" demonstration jumpers, I've jumped with rucksacks, fire extinguishers ("October is Fire Prevention Month"), batons, banners, teddy bears, books, soccer balls, the crown for a boat race queen with a water landing, flags, smoke, video and still cameras, cutaways, etc. And, with the exception of the T-7, jumped all of the canopies named above.