Airmen skydive from the wild blue yonder

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joe McFadden
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Nearly 20 Airmen skydived from 10,000 feet in the air during the Landing Zone Community Center's trip to Skydive Panama City in Altha, Fla., July 27.

The ongoing venture is part of the base's Single Airman Initiative Program which is dedicated to bolstering morale, esprit de corps and a sense of community belonging among junior enlisted Air Commandos.

"Many Airmen who live in the dorms do not leave the dorms or go out and do fun activities where they can meet new people who share the same military career," said Airman 1st Class Drew Folks, a cyber-transport systems technician with 1st Special Operations Communications Squadron. "This program opens up the opportunity for them to do that, and I've met many wonderful people from other squadrons that I would not have the opportunity otherwise. I've also had some once-in-a lifetime experiences that I may not have the chance or guts to do alone. This program brings all of Hurlburt Field Airmen, regardless of their squadron or job, together for fun and amazing activities."

Many of the Airmen on the trip, like Folks, said they were drawn to the prospect of doing something they've never considered doing before.

"I'd been bungee jumping before, but never sky diving," she said. "I've heard the adrenaline rush you get during skydiving can't be beat, so I had to test that theory."
After arriving to the local station, Airmen suited up in tandem skydiving gear and goggles before taking to the skies with the center's instructors.

When the small propeller plane reached its target height of 10,000 feet, the instructor and an Airman jumped out of the plane's hatch and plummeted to the ground at speeds topping 120 mph.

Senior Airman Kevin Crocchi, a munitions inspector with 1st Special Operations Equipment Maintenance Squadron, cited the fall as the pivotal moment between how he thought about the prospect before and after the jump.

"Before the jump, I was excited to be able to have this experience and to try something new and exciting," he said. "During the jump, I couldn't believe I actually jumped out of a plane and was going 120 mph toward Earth. Then excitement took over, and it was a huge adrenaline rush."

According to Folks, the mental preparation before the actual jump was the hardest element of the entire ordeal but it was worth the courage.

"The scariest part is waiting to jump out of the plane, but not the actual jump itself," she said. "The jump out of the plane was absolutely the best part."

After falling 5,000 feet, the instructor opened the parachute allowing both them and the Airman to float back down to the port's runway.

When Crocchi and Folks landed, they both said their perspectives on skydiving and appreciation for the SAI had definitely increased.

"I believe it is a very important program for Airmen to get out and experience fun and exciting things," Crocchi said. "The SAI is a great program that gives Airmen the chance to do things they wouldn't normally do, and it definitely improves morale. I would definitely do it again, without a doubt. And I would tell someone to just go for it - they won't regret it."

In addition to this trip, Folks, who arrived to Hurlburt Field in April, said she was looking forward to future opportunities as a first-term Airman at the Landing Zone.

"Without the Landing Zone and its awesome programs and activities, I feel there wouldn't be anything for Airmen to look forward to on base," she said. "In such a short period of time, the Landing Zone has become a big part of my life, and I look forward to all the activities it offers every month."

For more information on upcoming SAI events, visit the Landing Zone's Facebook Page or call 884-5080.