HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. -- Jumping out of perfectly good airplanes is not something most people do for a living. However, for the U.S. Army's parachute team, the Golden Knights, it's another day at the office.
The team recently began their annual winter training at Homestead ARB, electing to return after their extremely successful visit last winter and most recently performing at the 2010 Wings Over Homestead Airshow.
"Were thrilled to be back at Homestead ARB for our annual winter training. The base has been a gracious host and we have a great working relationship with the Miami recruiting battalion," said Lt. Col. Joe Martin, Golden Knights battalion commander. "Between the weather, the facilities and more importantly, the people, this is an ideal training location for the U.S. Army parachute team."
As the "Official Ambassadors of the Army," the team annually reaches a third of our nation by performing spectacular live parachute demonstrations for the American public, manifesting the "Band of Excellence" as displayed by all U.S. Army Soldiers around the world.
"We are extremely excited the Golden Knights have returned. Of all the locations in the country to choose from, the team again selected Homestead ARB - that says a lot," said Col. Donald Lindberg, 482nd Fighter Wing commander. "The base, Homestead and South Florida communities have so much to offer and we hope this relationship continues for a long time to come."
In 1959 the Strategic Army Command Parachute Team, or STRAC, was formed by "Airborne" Soldiers from various military units. In 1961, the Department of Defense announced on June 15th, that the STRAC team would become the United States Army Parachute Team. The team is one of three authorized DOD aerial demonstration teams, along with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and U.S. Navy Blue Angels.
Home based at Ft. Bragg, N.C., the 91 men and women who make up the Golden Knights are separated into seven sections: two demonstration teams, a tandem team, two competition teams, an aviation detachment and a headquarters section. The team has a fleet of four aircraft: two Fokker C-31A "Troopships" and two UVA-18 De Havilland Twin Otters.
As they travel across the nation and around the world, these professional Soldiers proudly serve the country with pride, skill and enthusiasm. The Golden Knights have performed more than 15,000 shows in all 50 states and 48 countries, reaching more than 20,000 people per show.
Residents that live around the base will see the team's signature yellow and black parachutes until the first week in March.