Secretary Of The Army, Former Team Members Gather At Fort Bragg

The Golden Knights, the US Army's official parachute demonstration team, kicked off their 50th anniversary this wek during a special ceremony that celebrated the team's half century of serving the country as Army ambassadors while also representing more than one million American Soldiers.

"Fifty years ago, the Golden Knights were established to compete in the sport of parachuting," said Lt. Gen. Benjamin Freakley, Commanding General of US Army Accessions Command. "Today, they are just one example of the many unique and interesting career opportunities available in the US Army... The Golden Knights of the Army Parachute Team represent the best of our Army: noncommissioned officers, technically superior soldier-athletes who daily demonstrate the Army values."

The history of the Golden Knights has its roots firmly in the Cold War. Formed in 1959 as a Strategic Army Corps Sport Parachute Team, the Golden Knights' initial purpose was to compete in the then communist-dominated sport of free-fall parachuting. The team performed so well that on June 1, 1961 the Army officially recognized, designated and activated the team as the US Army Parachute Team.

Since then, the Golden Knights have awed audiences across the country and the globe at air shows and competitions. More recently, the team has conducted high-profile tandem jumps with dignitaries such as former President George H.W. Bush, who jumped for his 80th birthday along with friend Chuck Norris, as well as celebrities such as Tiger Woods, Ann Curry, Bill Murray and David Hasselhoff.

Today, the Golden Knights consist of two demonstration teams which travel nationwide performing aerial demonstrations at air shows and special events in support of Army recruiting efforts, and two competition teams which travel and compete nationally and internationally at various parachuting competitions. Year after year, the Golden Knights continuously bring home honors and are the most successful US Department of Defense sports team.

"Like every US Army Soldier, the Golden Knights exhibit a strength like no other -- developed through half a century of challenging training, a spirit of teamwork and a set of shared values," added Col. David Lee, Director of Marketing for the US Army Accessions Command. "Although the Golden Knights have a unique mission, throughout their history they have represented something even more special -- the strength that can only be gained through being a US Army Soldier."

Participants in the anniversary celebration included the Honorable Secretary of the Army Pete Geren, Golden Knights alumni, including several original members of the 1959 team and Sonny Hill, president of the team's alumni association.

As part on their ongoing 50th anniversary celebration, the Golden Knights have a variety of special activities planned for the coming months, including jumps into the new Yankees Stadium and the Statue of Liberty grounds in New York City. The team will also continue to perform at air shows, compete on an international level and perform high-profile tandem jumps.

FMI: www.usarec.army.mil/hq/GoldenKnights