Lt. Col. Denny Frey (SOD-P) with Malaysian counterparts following their first successful jump during LEAPFEST 2024 in Rhode Island, August 2, 2024. (DVIDS)
Leapfest 2024, the world’s largest military parachuting competition, witnessed a dominant performance by a team from the United States – the Pacific Special Operations Detachment (SOD-P).
Against roughly 50 teams from 17 countries, the highly skilled paratroopers from SOD-P emerged victorious, solidifying their position among the global elite.
The winning team comprised Lt. Col. Denny Frey, Command Sgt. Maj. Brendan Headrick, Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Phipps, and Sgt. Jennifer Hernandezdiaz.
Their triumph is a testament to their rigorous training, unwavering dedication, and exceptional teamwork.
“To be the top paratroopers in a competition like this, going against some of the absolute best in the world is an incredible honor,” said Lt. Col. Frey. “This win showcases the incredible talent and professionalism we have in SOD-P and the proficiency that exists within the National Guard.”
Lt. Col. Denny Frey performs jump master personnel inspection of Malaysian counterparts prior to jumping. (DVIDS)
Leapfest 2024
Leapfest, hosted by the Rhode Island National Guard from July 29 to August 5, is a prestigious event that fosters camaraderie and esprit de corps among airborne soldiers from around the globe.
The competition attracts participation from allied nations and various branches of the US military, making it a true test of skill and international cooperation.
Interestingly, the 2024 event saw the first-time participation of two teams from the Malaysian Army’s 10th Rapid Deployment Force (10th RDF).
Leapfest 2024, the world’s largest military parachuting competition, witnessed a dominant performance by a team from the United States – the Pacific Special Operations Detachment (SOD-P).
Against roughly 50 teams from 17 countries, the highly skilled paratroopers from SOD-P emerged victorious, solidifying their position among the global elite.
The winning team comprised Lt. Col. Denny Frey, Command Sgt. Maj. Brendan Headrick, Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Phipps, and Sgt. Jennifer Hernandezdiaz.
Their triumph is a testament to their rigorous training, unwavering dedication, and exceptional teamwork.
“To be the top paratroopers in a competition like this, going against some of the absolute best in the world is an incredible honor,” said Lt. Col. Frey. “This win showcases the incredible talent and professionalism we have in SOD-P and the proficiency that exists within the National Guard.”
Lt. Col. Denny Frey performs jump master personnel inspection of Malaysian counterparts prior to jumping. (DVIDS)
Leapfest 2024
Leapfest, hosted by the Rhode Island National Guard from July 29 to August 5, is a prestigious event that fosters camaraderie and esprit de corps among airborne soldiers from around the globe.
The competition attracts participation from allied nations and various branches of the US military, making it a true test of skill and international cooperation.
Interestingly, the 2024 event saw the first-time participation of two teams from the Malaysian Army’s 10th Rapid Deployment Force (10th RDF).
This collaboration stemmed from a subject matter expert exchange program organized in May, where members of SOD-P shared their expertise in air assault planning and execution with their Malaysian counterparts. This partnership not only benefitted the Malaysian team but also served as a valuable training opportunity for SOD-P.
“Leveraging the State Partnership Program relationship and Airborne Operations SMEE to conduct a follow-on engagement at Leapfest was lauded by the Leapfest staff,” said Lt. Col. Frey.
He added that the Malaysian team, despite their first-time participation, displayed great potential and a strong desire for further collaboration with the Washington National Guard.
SOD-P, Washington National Guard, and Malaysian Army members stand united after LEAPFEST 2024, August 5, 2024. (DVIDS)
The SOD-P’s victory at Leapfest 2024 is a remarkable achievement that underscores the exceptional skills and unwavering commitment of the National Guard’s elite paratroopers. Their triumph not only brings honor to the United States but also strengthens international partnerships and promotes global cooperation within the airborne community.
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