U.S. Army Sgt. Castro Bustillos-Hawk, assigned to the 56th Troop Command, Rigger Section, instructs a group of paratroopers from nine countries on how to put on the MC-6 parachute during Leapfest Airborne Compe More
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. James Cartier and Sgt. Mike Lessing, assigned to the 56th Troop Command, Rigger Section, writes down pre-jump operations on a dry erase board during Leapfest Airborne Competition on July 30 More
A group of British paratroopers watches a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook Helicopter, assigned to Bravo Company, 2/104th Aviation, Connecticut National Guard, land on a landing zone during Leapfest Airborne Competition More
South African paratroopers document the arrival of a CH-47 that will be used for the international familiarization jump, July 30, 2014. Leapfest is an Airborne parachute competition sponsored by the Rhode Islan More
Paratroopers from New Zealand display a unit flag from the back of a CH-47 helicopter Aug. 2, 2014. Leapfest is an airborne parachute competition sponsored by the Rhode Island National Guard to promote high lev More
A group of U.S. Army paratroopers jumps from a CH-47 Chinook Helicopter during Leapfest Airborne Competition Aug. 2, 2014, West Kingston, R.I. Leapfest is an Airborne parachute competition sponsored by the Rhod More
U.S. Army paratroopers practice exiting from the ramp of a CH-47 helicopter during Leapfest Aug. 3, 2014. Leapfest is an Airborne parachute competition sponsored by the Rhode Island National Guard to promote hi More
U.S. Army Soldiers conduct parachute landing falls in preparation for jumping from a CH-47 helicopter as they arrive behind them Aug. 4, 2017. Leapfest is an Airborne parachute competition sponsored by the Rho More
a group of German Paratroopers walks to board a CH-47 Chinook Helicopter on the pick up zone during Leapfest Airborne Competition Aug. 4, 2014, West Kingston, R.I. Leapfest is an Airborne parachute competition More
U.S. Army Master Sgt. Scott McCoid, assigned to Special Operations Detachment Global, Coventry, R.I., checks for towed jumpers during a familiarization jump for Leapfest, July 28, 2015, in West Kingston, R.I. L More
Paratroopers from the Netherlands aid each other in the donning of their MC-6 parachutes during in the familiarization jump at Leapfest, July 29, 2015. Leapfest is an international parachute competition hosted More
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Horace Murray documents a jumpmaster showing how to perform static line control when jumping out of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during Operation Leapfest in West Kingston, R.I., July 29, More
Soldiers from the Netherlands Army rig each other’s parachute at Leapfest in West Kingston, R.I., July 29, 2015. Leapfest is an international parachute competition hosted by the 56th Troop Command, Rhode Island More
Members from the South African parachute team secure their parachutes before a familiarization jump at Leapfest 2015 at the University of Rhode Island West Kingston campus July 29. Leapfest is an international More
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brian Fox, a rigger with the 165th Quartermaster Company from Seymour, Ind., checks the parachute of an Italian paratrooper in preparation for a familiarization jump at Kingstown, R.I., Jul More
A South African paratrooper hooks up to a static line in preparation for the familiarization jump at Leapfest, July 29, 2015. Leapfest is an international parachute competition hosted by the 56th Troop Command, More
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class James Cartier, NCOIC of the Riggers, assigned to the 56th Troop Command, checks a parachute during repacking following a jump at Leapfest, July 30, 2015. Leapfest is an international pa More
A static dispaly shows the name and parts of a MC-6 parachute system that is used in the rigger facility on Camp Fogarty, East Greenwich, R.I., July 30, 2015. Leapfest is an International parachute competition More
U.S. Army Sgt. Deric Singer from the 165th Quartermaster Company out of Seymour, Ind., uses a stow hook to stow suspension lines in a parachute for Leapfest, July 30, 2015. Leapfest is an International parachu More
U.S. Army Sgt. Matt Purdy and Pfc. Erick Burgeson of the Indiana National Guard 165th Quartermaster Company Detachment 1 pack an MC-6 parachute in support of Operation Leapfest in West Kingston, R.I., July 30, More
U.S. Army and partner nation paratroopers exit the tailgate of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during Leapfest 2015 in West Kingston, R.I., Aug. 1, 2015. Leapfest is an International parachute competition hosted by More
CH-47 Chinook helicopters stand ready for paratroopers participating in Leapfest in West Kingston, R.I., Aug. 1, 2015. Leapfest is an International parachute competition hosted by the 56th Troop Command, Rhode More
Paratroops rendered their salute when the colors of the flags were presented at the opening ceremony of Leapfest 2015 in West Kingstown, R.I., Aug. 1, 2015. Leapfest is an International parachute competition ho More
U.S. Army Capt. Loren Teillon, from the 982nd COMCAM, stands at attention along with other Soldiers attending the opening ceremony of Leapfest, Aug. 1, 2015. Leapfest is an international parachute competition More
Canadian Capt. Noel Mark from the 3rd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment and his team receives the Lt. Col. Robert F. Ward Award during the awards ceremony, Aug. 1, 2015. Leapfest is an International parachute comp More
U.S. and partner nations stand in formation for the opening ceremony of Leapfest, West Kingston, R.I., Aug. 1, 2015. Leapfest is an International parachute competition hosted by the 56th Troop Command, Rhode Is More
A U.S. Army paratrooper races toward the finishing point at Leapfest 2015 in West Kingstown, R.I., Aug. 1, 2015. Leapfest is an International parachute competition hosted by the 56th Troop Command, Rhode Island More
British paratrooper Dominic Gardner-Wright takes part in Sustained Airborne Training prior to a wing exchange jump at Leapfest, West Kingston, R.I., Aug. 3, 2015. Leapfest is an International parachute competit More
A U.S. Army Paratrooper wins a raffle drawing of a World War II B-17 Bomber(Fighter Plane) from the 56th troop Command at the Leapfest Awards Banquet at the Hyatt Hotel in Newport, R.I., Aug. 7, 2016. The paint More
British Paratroopers pose for photos during Leapfest 2016 in West Kingston, R.I., August 4, 2016. Leapfest is an International parachute training event and competition hosted by the 56th Troop Command, Rhode Is More
Mexican Army Paratrooper jump wings wait to be awarded at a wings exchange ceremony during Leapfest on a drop zone in West Kingston, R.I., Aug. 8, 2016. Leapfest is an International parachute training event and More
Canadian paratroopers buddy rig MC-6 parachutes in West Kingston, R.I., August 8, 2016. Leapfest is the largest, longest standing, international static line parachute training event and competition hosted by th More
U.S. Army Paratrooper Master Sgt. Gorden Shute gathers his parachute after landing on Drop Zone Castle during a foreign wing exchange jump as part of Leapfest 2016 in West Kingston, R.I., August 8, 2016. Leapfe More
A group of German Paratroopers practices to keeping a good tight body position during Leapfest 2016 at the University of Rhode Island in West Kingston, R.I., Aug. 6, 2016. Leapfest is the largest, longest stan More
A U.S. Army crop irrigation truck waters crop soil during Leapfest on the Pick Up Zone, in West Kingston, R.I., Aug. 8, 2016. Leapfest is an International parachute training event and competition hosted by the More
An Italian paratrooper don his MC-6 parachute to jump out of a CH-47 F Chinook Helicopter during Leapfest 2017 at the University of Rhode Island, West Kingston, R.I., Aug. 1, 2017. Leapfest is the largest, long More
A Botswana Jump Master presents Botswana Parachutist Badges to paratroopers during Leapfest 2017 at the University of Rhode Island, West Kingston, R.I., August 6, 2017. Leapfest is the largest, longest standing More
Canadian paratroopers wait to board a CH-47 Chinook during Leapfest 2018 at West Kingston, RI., August 1, 2018. Leapfest is the largest, longest standing, international static line parachute training event and More
A Soldier from the 56th Troop Command listens to a preflight jumpmaster brief with aircrew from the 143d Airlift Wing, June 25, 2020, adjacent to a C130J Super Hercules at Quonset Air National Guard Base, North More
The Rhode Island National Guard’s 56th Troop Command holds a memorial in honor of Sgt. Maj. Christopher L. Callan, the Senior Operations NCO for the HHD, 56TC, July, 28, 2020, at Camp Fogarty, East Greenwich, R More
Members of the Rhode Island National Guard attend the funeral of Sgt. Maj. Christopher L. Callan, the Senior Operations NCO for the HHD, 56TC, July, 28, 2020, at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter, R.I. Cal More
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Rocco Caputo and Sgt. Castro Bustillos-Hawk, assigned to the 56th Troop Command, Rigger Section, instructs a group of paratroopers from nine countries on how to put on the MC-6 parachute du More
The flag of a Candian paratrooper is displayed on his left shoulder as he listens to a pre jump briefing during Leapfest Airborne Competition on July 30, 2014, West Kingston, R.I. Leapfest is an Airborne parach More
U.S. Army Capt. Evan Lock from the Connecticut National Guard gives a briefing to international paratroopers before boarding his CH-47 for a familiarization jump, July 30, 2014. Leapfest is an Airborne parachu More
A group of international paratroopers from nine countries listens to a safety brief for a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook Helicopter, assigned to Bravo Company, 2/104th Aviation, Connecticut National Guard during Leapf More
Two U.S. Army paratroopers, assigned to 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry (Airborne), descend to the ground during Leapfest Airborne Competition Aug. 2, 2014, West Kingston, R.I. Leapfest is an Airborne parachute c More
U.S. Army paratroopers stand at parade rest during the opening ceremony of Leapfest Aug. 2, 2014. Leapfest is an sirborne parachute competition sponsored by the Rhode Island National Guard to promote high level More
U.S. and International paratroopers conduct parachute landing falls in preparation for Leapfest Aug. 4, 2014. Leapfest is an Airborne parachute competition sponsored by the Rhode Island National Guard to promot More
a group of British paratroopers walks to board a CH-47 Chinook Helicopter on the pick up zone during Leapfest Airborne Competition Aug. 4, 2014, West Kingston, R.I. Leapfest is an Airborne parachute competitio More
A Canadian paratrooper prepares for a familiarization jump prior to competing in Leapfest July 28, 2015, in West Kingston, R.I. Leapfest is an airborne parachute competition sponsored by the R.I. National Guard More
Rhode Island National Guard uses CH-47 Chinooks for airborne operations during Leapfest 2015 at the University of Rhode Island West Kingston campus July 29. Leapfest is an international parachute competition ho More
Dutch paratroopers aid each other in the donning of their MC-6 parachutes during in the familiarization jump at Leapfest, July 29, 2015. Leapfest is an international parachute competition hosted by the 56th Tro More
Paratroopers exit a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter over West Kingston, R.I., July 29, 2015. Leapfest is an international parachute competition hosted by the 56th Troop Command, Rhode Island National Guard t More
U.S. Army Cpl. Jeffrey Tichenor assists United Kingdom paratrooper Capt. Drew Houston donning his parachute in preparation for a familiarization jump, July 29, 2015. Leapfest is an international parachute compe More
Sgt. Owen Jones assists his commander, Capt. Sam Cooper, both from the United Kingdom and members of the 7th Para Royal Horse Artillery, in the rigging of his parachute at the familiarization jump, July 29, 201 More
Soldiers from the Netherlands army rig each other's parachute at Leapfest in West Kingston, R.I., July 29 2015. Leapfest is an international parachute competition hosted by the 56th Troop Command, Rhode Island More
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brian Fox, with the 165th Quatermaster Company, Indiana Army National Guard, checks the elastic bands on the static line of a MC-6 parachute that willl be used in Leapfest, East Greenwich, More
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Derek Golec, a rigger assigned to Det. 1, 165th Quartermaster Company, Ind. National Guard, checks a parachute during repacking following a jump at Leapfest, July 30, 2015. Leapfest is More
Parachute riggers from the Indiana National Guard, 165th Quartermaster Company, Det. 1, pack MC-6 parachutes for Operation Leapfest in West Kingston, R.I., July 30, 2015. Leapfest is an International parachute More
The judges of Leapfest render their salute toward the colors of the flag at the opening ceremony of Leapfest 2015 in West Kingstown, R.I., Aug. 1, 2015. Leapfest is an International parachute competition hoste More
U.S. Army paratroopers line up to jump out of the CH-47 Chinook helicopter at Leapfest 2015 in West Kingstown, R.I., Aug. 1, 2015. Leapfest is an International parachute competition hosted by the 56th Troop Com More
A U.S. Army Spc. Sea Griffin from the 56th Troop Command, checks his log as a parachute is issued to Italian Soldier Antonio Serra, Aug. 1, 2015. Leapfest is an International parachute competition hosted by the More
U.S. Army soldiers walk toward a drop zone to act as judges for paratroopers participating in Leapfest in West Kingston, R.I., Aug. 1, 2015. Leapfest is an International parachute competition hosted by the 56th More
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Justin Morelli and Sgt. Austin Berner, members of the 982nd Combat Camera Company (Airborne), work as a team rigging each other in their MC-6 parachutes for an international Wing exchange j More
Paratroopers watch a CH-47 Chinook land prior to a wing exchange jump at Leapfest in West Kingston, R.I., Aug. 3, 2015. Leapfest is an International parachute competition hosted by the 56th Troop Command, Rhode More
British Paratroopers on Team 15 from 216 (Parachute) Signal Squadron, 16 (Air Assault) Bragade, pose for photos during Leapfest 2016 in West Kingston, R.I., August 4, 2016. Leapfest is an International parach More
U.S. Army 56th Troop Command Rhode Island National Guard awards a South African Army Paratrooper The Colonel Adrian Schoeman Award(Distinguished Paratrooper Award) for being the oldest Paratrooper to jump at Le More
Partner nation Paratrooper's jump from a CH-47 Chanook onto Drop Zone Castle during a foreign wing exchange jump as part of Leapfest 2016 in West Kingston, R.I., August 8, 2016. Leapfest is an International par More
A group of U.S. Army Paratroopers and parter nations conduct a Parachute Landing Fall at the University of Rhode Island in West Kingston, R.I., Aug. 6, 2016. Leapfest is the largest, longest standing, internati More
German Army Bronze Paratrooper jump wings wait to be awarded at a wings exchange ceremony during Leapfest on a drop zone in West Kingston, R.I., Aug. 8, 2016. Leapfest is an International parachute training eve More
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Edgar Delgado, a Jumpmaster assigned to Echo Company 1/507th parachute Infantry Regiment demonstrates pulling the reserve parachute during Leapfest on a pick-up zone in West Kingston, R.I., More
A Mexican paratrooper dons his MC-6 parachute to jump out of a CH-47 F Chinook Helicopter during Leapfest 2017 at the University of Rhode Island, West Kingston, R.I., Aug. 1, 2017. Leapfest is the largest, long More
U.S. Army paratroopers, from 2/160 Special Operations Aviation Regiment, takes 1st place in the team jump competition during Leapfest 2017 at the University of Rhode Island, West Kingston, R.I., August 6, 2017. More
Italian paratrooper Sgt. Bonacini waits to board a CH-47 Chinook during Leapfest 2018 at West Kingston, RI., August 1, 2018. Leapfest is the largest, longest standing, international static line parachute traini More
A pilot assigned to the 143d Airlift Wing, taxis a C130J Super Hercules on the flightline, June 25, 2020, at Quonset Air National Guard Base, North Kingstown, R.I. The pilot participated in the Joint Airborne a More
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Rocco Caputo, assigned to the 56th Troop Command, Rigger Section, instructs a group of paratroopers from nine countries on how to put on the MC-6 parachute during Leapfest Airborne Competit More
Paratroopers from the United Kingdom pose with their unit flag in from of a U.S. Army CH-47 during Leapfest July 30, 2014. Leapfest is an Airborne parachute competition sponsored by the Rhode Island National Gu More
The flag of a Australian paratrooper is displayed on his left shoulder as he listens to a pre jump briefing during Leapfest Airborne Competition on July 30, 2014, West Kingston, R.I. Leapfest is an Airborne par More
Air crew members from the Connecticut National Guard conduct a safety briefing to international paratroopers before conducting a familiarization jump aboard their CH-47 helicopter, July 30, 2014. Leapfest is a More
A group of U.S. Army paratroopers, assigned to 56th Troop Command, prepares to put on their MC-6 parachutes during Leapfest Airborne Competition July 30, 2014, West Kingston, R.I. Leapfest is an Airborne parach More
A U.S. Army paratrooper, assigned to 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry (Airborne), descends to the ground during Leapfest Airborne Competition August 2, 2014, West Kingston, R.I. Leapfest is an Airborne parachute c More
Paratroopers from the U.K. conduct pre-jump training before donning their parachutes as part of Leapfest Aug. 2, 2014. Leapfest is an airborne parachute competition sponsored by the Rhode Island National Guard More
a group of Australian and British paratroopers walks to board a CH-47 Chinook Helicopter on the pick up zone during Leapfest Airborne Competition Aug. 4, 2014, West Kingston, R.I. Leapfest is an Airborne parac More
Italian paratroopers practice exiting a U.S. Army CH-47 helicopter as part of actions in the aircraft before jumps commence during Leapfest Aug. 4, 2014. Leapfest is an Airborne parachute competition sponsore More
International paratroopers prepare for a familiarization jump prior to competing in Leapfest July 28, 2015, in West Kingston, R.I. Leapfest is an airborne parachute competition sponsored by the R.I. National Gu More
A Dutch paratrooper waits as a U.S. Army rigger checks his MC-6 parachute during in the familiarization jump at Leapfest, July 29, 2015. Leapfest is an international parachute competition hosted by the 56th Tro More
South African Lt. George De Beer (left) and Rifleman Nick Van Vuran (right), both with the 3 Parachute Battalion South Africa Reserve Force, rig up U.S. Army 1st Lt. Jose Moreno's, with the 56th Command Rhode I More
German paratroopers practice aircraft procedures on a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during Operation Leapfest in West Kingston, R.I., July 29, 2015. Leapfest is an international parachute competition hosted by the 5 More
Troops jump out of a CH-47 Chinook over the drop zone in West Kingston during Leapfest 2015, July 29. Leapfest is an international parachute competition hosted by the 56th Troop Command, Rhode Island National G More
U.S. Army Lt. Col. David Neary, 56th Troop Command Acting Brigade Commander, R.I. National Guard, removes his reserve parachute and harness after completing a successful jump at West Kingston, R.I., July 29, 20 More
U.S. Army Lt. Col. David Neary, 56th Troop Command Acting Brigade Commander, R.I. National Guard, assumes a prepared to land attitude before hitting the drop zone at West Kingston, R.I., July 29, 2015. Leapfest More