CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – A team from Special Operations Detachment – Pacific took first place at Leapfest 2024, the largest military skydiving competition of its kind, held July 29-August 5 in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.
Lt. Col. Denny Frey and Command Sgt. Maj. Brendan Headrick of the Special Operations Detachment – Pacific, assisted by Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Phipps and Sgt. Jennifer Hernandezdiaz, 1161 Rigger Detachment, defeated approximately 50 teams from 17 countries.
“To compete in a competition like this as the best paratrooper against some of the absolute best in the world is an incredible honor,” said Frey. “We continue to find ways to showcase the incredible talent and professionalism we have at SOD-P and the competency that exists in the National Guard.”
Hosted by the Rhode Island National Guard, Leapfest is the largest and longest running international military auto-launch parachute competition in the world. Its goal is to promote camaraderie and esprit de corps among airborne soldiers through international competition. Representatives of allied foreign forces as well as the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps regularly participate in the competition.
In addition to taking home first prize, the Washington Army National Guard team also welcomed two teams from the 10th Rapid Reaction Force of the Malaysian Army, who were participating in the competition for the first time.
In May, Frey, Phipps and other members of the Washington National Guard participated in the first hands-on exchange of airborne landing and air assault topics with more than 75 Malaysian soldiers from the 10th RDF. The National Guard members brought their expertise to Malaysia and focused the exchange on air assault planning and execution, including loading and unloading procedures for UH-60 Black Hawks and CH-47 Chinook aircraft, tactical ground planning, landing zone selection and other air assault planning considerations.
Through the exchange of experts within the framework of the State Partnership Program, the Malaysian team was able to expand its competencies, which it demonstrated during the event.
“Leveraging the SPP relationship and Airborne Operations SMEE to conduct a follow-on deployment at Leapfest was praised by Leapfest personnel,” said Frey. “Although this was the first time the Malaysian Army’s 10th Rapid Deployment Force participated in Leapfest, they performed well and are hungry for more state partnerships and opportunities to grow the relationship between Malaysia and the Washington National Guard.”
Malaysia and the Washington Guard have been partners in the Department of Defense’s National Guard Bureau program since 2017.
