Even though you're only held in by a strap of nylon and metal, you never feel unsafe. The Knights are a reassuring presence that makes you feel at-ease, even though you have no sane reason to feel that way. They are calm, and anxious only about if they will get to jump, not about safety. They tell tall-tales about other jumps, and hold light-hearted conversations, and somehow that almost makes you forget what you're doing. Almost.
SFC JD Berentis talks about the plane, their "home away from home". He also explains that the Knights' planes still have to wait in line with the other planes. Click for video
The plane flies in wide box over the school with one of the "sides" of the box directly over the drop site. This pattern means we fly for a bit and suddenly the plane tips to the left. From our seats, the view from one door goes from that of the horizon to just the sky. Out the other door, the ground fills the view and looms below us, suddenly seeming much closer and menacing.
The Knights hold out hope as long as they can. The ground crew reports 20 mile per hour wind gusts, far too fast to jump. The streamers hit somewhere on the highway, far from the point they were aiming for. The jump is called off. The doors close and thankfully the wind stops rushing in. Everyone sits down, and you can tell the guys are disappointed.
Sergeant Steven Robertson shows off the helmet he uses during the jump to record the Knights' performance. Photo by: Joshua Nypaver
They understand the decision but there is something beneath the surface. You get the feeling that if you gave them the choice, and told them they could vote to go or stay, that they could take the risk personally and not have to worry about damaging the reputation of the Golden Knights, they might be headed out the door. In the end though, they are soldiers following orders, so if the Army says they can't jump when the ground winds are too high, they do not exit the plane.
| SCF Pete White reflects on having to land instead of getting to jump. Click for video |
Still, something in their eyes says they really wanted to go. Especially, SFC Pete White. He held the pre-flight media briefing. During the briefing he was enthusiastic and reassuring, firm, yet entertaining about helping us understand the safety procedures we had to follow. Like the rest of the Knights, he is the kind of easygoing guy who is easy to instantly like.
Once the doors close, you can see his disappointment. This was supposed to be his last jump with the Gold Team. His term is up and now he is off to serve the country in some other capacity.
Once we are safely on the ground I ask White if he was disappointed about missing his last chance to jump.
"I think I'll tag on with one of the other teams to see if I can get 'one more' last jump," White jokes. "My last jump was actually right next to the Intrepid in the New York harbor and you can't beat that, and the president was there so I really can't complain."
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It would've been really cool to see the Jump...I wasnt able to be there, but from this article i understand the wind conditions weren't correct for them to do so...but I am glad these army men came out to give a spectacular show!!