History

Performing precision aerial maneuvers while falling to earth at speeds reaching 120 miles per hour, then landing dead center on target is the trademark of the United States Army Parachute Team, the "Golden Knights."

Now in their 43rd year of entertaining both young and old with their amazing aerial skills, the men and women that make up the "Golden Knights" continue to show audiences around the world why they are considered the world's best parachute team.

Stationed at the "Home of the Airborne," Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the 90 soldiers that make up the "Golden Knights"come from many diverse backgrounds and have been trained in one of the 200 military occupational specialties the Army offers.

These fine soldiers can trace their current positions back to 1959, when Brig. Gen. Joseph Stillwell, then Chief of Staff of XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, formed the Strategic Army Corps Parachute Team. On June 1, 1961, the Army officially recognized, redesigned and activated the team as the United States Army Parachute Team.

One year later, the Team officially adopted the nickname "Golden Knights" because of their winning record of gold medals and conquest of the skies.

During the 43 years since its inception, the Team's mission has remained the same: (1) To perform live aerial demonstrations for the public and in promotion of the Army's public relations and recruitment efforts; (2) to compete in national and international parachuting competitions; and (3) to test and evaluate new parachuting equipment and techniques for improved operation and safety.

The exceptional soldiers carrying out this mission are divided into six groups: The Black and Gold Demonstration Teams, the Formation Skydiving Team, the Style and Accuracy Team, an aviation section and a headquarters section.

The Black and Gold Demonstration Teams spend more than 230 days a year entertaining more than 12 million people at air shows and special events around the country and the world. The teams have performed more than 8,500 live aerial demonstrations in all 50 states and 47 countries, earning them the title of the "Army's Goodwill Ambassadors to the World."

Just as incredible as the demonstration teams are the two parachute competition teams: The Formation Skydiving Team and the Style and Accuracy Team. The teams tour the world competing in parachuting competitions and amazing the parachuting world with their record of 408 national champions, 65 world champions, and 14 national and six world team titles in formation skydiving.

In addition to those accomplishments, they also claim the only six-time world champion parachutist in formation skydiving and the only three consecutive time national champion parachutist in style and accuracy parachuting. These impressive feats have made them not only the most-winning U.S. Department of Defense sports team, but also the most-winning parachute team in the world

Helping support these incredible demonstrators and competitors are the Team's aviation and headquarters sections. The aviation section consists of six fixed-wing aircraft and a team of highly experienced pilots and crewmembers that make sure the parachutist make it into the air safety and quickly. The headquarters section also has a highly skilled team of soldiers and civilians working on the administration, budget, media relations, operations, parachute maintenance and supply concerns of the Team.

Before earning the chance to jump with the Team, each member had to make a different kind of jump by deciding to join the Army. Each Team member is a soldier first and is trained in one of the 200 occupations the Army offers. Some wanted to serve their country or maybe see the world, while others wanted to take advantage of the financial bonuses the Army offered to them, such as up to $50,000 for college, up to $65,000 to repay college loans or up to $12,000 for enlisting in selected military occupations.

For 43 years, the Team's superior performances, winning record and exemplary conduct have helped rekindle and sustain a feeling of pride in the hearts of many Americans. The Team's faces may have changed, but every "Golden Knight's" dedication to the Army and the American public has and will continue to remain steadfast well into the 21st century.