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Air

Royal 22e Régiment competes in Leapfest

Master Sgt. Ryan Baker (left) and Tech. Sgt. Michael Ashurst jump out of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during Leapfest 29 in Kingston, RI, August 06, 2011. Baker and Ashurst were two of five 165th Air Support Operation Squadron jumpers from Brunswick, GA, and the only team representing the Air Force and Air National Guard.

Ten members of 3rd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment will be testing their parachuting abilities at Leapfest from August 1 to 9.

Organized by the Rhode Island National Guard, the competition is in its 34th year and provides technical and skill-demonstrating opportunities to parachutists from around the world.

Historically, Canadian Army paratroopers have had success at this event, which is the largest and longest-standing international static-line parachute competition in the world.

Teams from the Royal 22e Régiment were Leapfest champions in 2002 and 2012.

The purpose of Leapfest is to provide a venue and opportunity for parachutists to demonstrate their proficiency in parachute operations in a competitive environment and to foster good relationships with international paratroopers and armies.

Leapfest paratroopers
Master Sgt. Ryan Baker (left) and Tech. Sgt. Michael Ashurst jump out of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during Leapfest 29 in Kingston, RI, August 06, 2011. Baker and Ashurst were two of five 165th Air Support Operation Squadron jumpers from Brunswick, GA, and the only team representing the Air Force and Air National Guard.

Each team consists of five participants: four parachutists and one alternate. The teams exit from a CH-147 Chinook helicopter at an altitude of 457 meters using an MC-6 static line, and steerable, parabolic parachute.

A static line is the length of cord used by paratroopers, instead of a ripcord, for opening a parachute. It is attached at one end to the aircraft and temporarily snapped to the parachute at the other.

Participants aim to land as close as possible to a designated area within the landing zone. Upon completing a parachute landing fall, participants are timed by qualified judges until they reach the designated area.

Last year, 244 paratroopers competed in Leapfest.

 

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