By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (PJ) Michelle Turner, Navy Parachute Team Public Affairs ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy parachute demonstration team, the Leap Frogs, performed during the 40th annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta at Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque, N.M. Oct. 7-9.
The fiesta was the cornerstone event of Albuquerque Navy Week - one of 21 Navy Weeks planned across the United States in 2011.
"Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, nicknamed 'The Greatest Show Off Earth,' drew an estimated 750,000 spectators over nine days," said Don Edwards, event director. "It started in 1972 with just 13 balloons. This year 555 balloons took to the air, including 98 special shapes, from more than 20 countries."
Rain and high wind prevented the balloons from launching Friday, however conditions became favorable by jump time and allowed the Leap Frogs - composed of Navy SEALs and support personnel - to perform.
"We actually felt like [the Leap Frogs] salvaged our day," said Edwards, a U.S. Air Force veteran. "It created a lot of excitement. It was a nice treat."
A Minnesota Air National Guard C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft carrying the Leap Frogs circled high above the park as the jumpers prepared to make their jump. The crowd below waited with excitement and cheered as colored smoke trailed the ramp of the aircraft, which indicated the performance was about to begin. Five black spots appeared in the sky behind the aircraft and moments later those spots turned into blue and gold parachutes.
Each of the Leap Frogs' six performances was different. The first show included single jumpers who flew various Navy flags and trailed smoke. The rest of the jumps from the C-130 included multi-canopy formations that had the crowd clapping and cheering. The Leap Frogs stacked three canopies together and transitioned to a drag-plane, then a down-plane maneuver.
Each jumper was met with thunderous applause from the crowd gathered around the drop zone on the balloon-launch area.
Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Justin Gauny and Special Warfare Operator 1st Class (SEAL) Justin Gonzales made history when they became the first skydivers to jump out of a hot-air balloon during the Fiesta. The balloon, named Cardiac Air-Rest and piloted by Colin Graham, launched from a school upwind of the drop zone. It floated to 3,500 feet above ground level before the jumpers left the pilot alone in his basket.
It took a lot of coordination between the Federal Aviation Administration, air traffic control, balloon pilot Colin Graham, the jumpers and a little luck with the weather, said Edwards.
"Everything came together, the planets lined up, and it worked out to be a perfect morning," said Edwards. "[The jump] was pretty awesome, and it looked like the crowd was pretty excited about it too."
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez attended the fiesta and thanked the Leap Frogs for their service.
"To understand the sacrifice that families make for their loved ones to serve - to allow us to be safe - is very personal to my husband and I," said Martinez whose step son has served with special operations forces as a special warfare combatant-craft crewman in the U.S. Navy for four years. "The patriotism is so enormous in the State of New Mexico. Our National Guard is constantly being called on, whether in Kosovo or out helping to fight fires here in New Mexico. To all of our services, we are so grateful."
Spectators gathered around the jumpers after each performance to ask questions and meet a Navy SEAL face to face. Children helped each jumper pack his parachute.
"I thought it was cool!" said Devon Casados, a seven-year-old boy from Albuquerque. "I want to go parachuting!"
Navy Weeks are designed to show Americans the investment they have made in their Navy and raise awareness in areas that may not have a significant Navy presence. Sailors took part in events across Albuquerque including performances by the Navy Band Southwest "The Destroyers", presentations by Sailors assigned to Virginia-class attack submarine USS New Mexico (SSN 779) and other community relations activities.
The Leap Frogs are based in San Diego and perform aerial parachute demonstrations across America in support of Naval Special Warfare and Navy Recruiting as a "Global Force For Good." The team is composed of parachuting experts from Naval Special Warfare including Navy SEALs, special warfare combatant-craft crewmen, and an NSW parachute rigger, in addition to support personnel.
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