CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - A team from Special Operations Detachment – Pacific took top honors during Leapfest 2024, the largest military parachuting competition of its kind, at North Kingstown, Rhode Island, July 29-Aug. 5.
Lt. Col. Denny Frey and Command Sgt. Maj. Brendan Headrick from Special Operations Detachment – Pacific, supported by Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Phipps and Sgt. Jennifer Hernandezdiaz, 1161 Rigger Detachment, bested approximately 50 teams from 17 countries.
“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 Frey. “We continue to find ways to showcase the incredible talent and professionalism we have in SOD-P and the proficiency that exists within the National Guard.”
Hosted by the Rhode Island National Guard, Leapfest is the largest, longest-running international military static line parachute competition in the world. Its purpose is to promote the camaraderie and esprit de corps of the airborne Soldier through international competition. Representatives from allied foreign militaries and the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps routinely attend the competition.
In addition to taking home top honors, the Washington Army National Guard team welcomed two teams from the Malaysian Army’s 10th Rapid Deployment Force, which participated in the competition for the first time.
In May, Frey, Phipps and other Washington National Guard members took part in the first hands-on airborne and air assault subject matter exchange with more than 75 Malaysian Army soldiers from the 10th RDF. Guard members brought their expertise to Malaysia and focused the exchange on air assault planning and execution, including loading and unloading procedures from UH-60 Black Hawks and CH-47 Chinook aircraft, ground tactical planning, landing zone selection and other air assault planning considerations.
The State Partnership Program subject matter expert exchange helped the Malaysian team gain proficiency, which they demonstrated during the event.
“Leveraging the SPP relationship and Airborne Operations SMEE to conduct a follow-on engagement at Leapfest was lauded by the Leapfest staff,” said Frey. “While this was the Malaysian Army’s 10th Rapid Deployment Force first time participating in Leapfest, they competed well and are hungry for more state partnership engagements and opportunities to grow the relationship between Malaysia and the Washington National Guard.”
Malaysia and the Washington Guard have been partners in the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau program since 2017.