Leapfest is an airborne parachute competition sponsored by the Rhode Island National Guard to promote high level technical training within the international airborne community.
The Familiarization Jumps conducted on Tuesday 29 July 2014 provided the international paratroopers an opportunity to learn about the procedures and equipment used by U.S. Airborne Soldiers.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Rocco Caputo, assigned to the 56th Troop Command, Rigger Section, talks to a group of British and New Zealand paratroopers about the MC-6 parachute during Leapfest Airborne Competition July 29, 2014, in West Kingston, R.I. Leapfest is an airborne parachute competition sponsored by the Rhode Island National Guard to promote high level technical training within the international airborne community.
Staff Sgt. Caputo talks to a group of British paratroopers.
Two Italian paratroopers assist one another as they put on the MC-6 parachute for a Familiarization Jump.
Staff Sgt. Justin Kelley, assigned to Charlie Company, 1/143rd Infantry (Airborne), assists two German paratroopers.
Two New Zealand paratroopers prepare to ‘cute up for their Familiarization Jump.
Two Canadian and two South African paratroopers rig their MC-6 parachutes.
Sgt. Mike Lessing, assigned to the 165th Quartermaster, Detachment 1, assists an Australian paratrooper.
LEAPFEST XXXI officially kicks off Saturday morning, 02 August 2014 – I will once again be on site to bring you a report and loads of photos.
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All photos above by Sgt. Austin Berner, U.S. Army