St. Joseph News-Press August 15, 2003
Air Guard plane helps Leap Frogs jump around
By Marshall White
KANSAS CITY - As the Lockheed C-130 Hercules flew at 10,000 feet Thursday above Kauffman and Arrowhead stadiums, 10 men fell from the plane at speeds in excess of 120 miles per hour.
The jumping daredevils were members of the U.S. Navy's elite and highly trained parachute team - the Leap Frogs.
Jumping at the chance to provide a launch plane for this parachute team was the Missouri Air National Guard's 139th Airlift Wing, stationed at St. Joseph's Rosecrans Memorial Airport.
The Leap Frogs will perform during sporting events this weekend at the two stadiums, home to the Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs.
In times of war, one of the special missions an airlift wing's planes and crews must be able to perform is delivering troops or supplies via high-altitude drops, said Col. Gene Davenport, former commander of the Guard unit.
The navigator for Thursday's flight was Lt. Col. Roger Olson, an instructor at the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center, also at Rosecrans. He coordinated the flight with Lt. Andrew Kaminski, the parachute team leader.
This is one kind of tactical mission for which the center trains pilots and crews, Mr. Olson said.
The instructor said he chose to fly this mission because recent practical experience helps when talking to trainees.
Piloting the plane was Capt. Ryan Stepp from Kansas City. The practice mission marked his first high-altitude drop.
The training Thursday started as the transport climbed in a series of spirals to reach its cruising altitude.
Back in the cargo space, the loadmasters, Tech. Sgt. Kent Bohart from Mound City, Mo., and Tech. Sgt. Nick Kahler, who also is a substitute teacher for the St. Joseph and Mid-Buchanan school districts, worked through the checklist for high-altitude jumps.
Tech. Sgt. Curtis Enkey, from Blue Springs, Mo., observed the operation because he will be the loadmaster on another flight. The three also kept an eye on their passengers, ensuring no one showed signs of oxygen deprivation because the rear cargo ramp was open.
"Up to 10,000 feet, oxygen isn't necessary," Mr. Stepp said. "But anything over that we have to be on oxygen."
Oxygen was no problem for the parachute team. Each member will execute 500 practice, training and show jumps this year. The team went through their checklists Thursday, putting on jumpsuits, chutes, helmets, altitude gauges and other gear.
The jumpers then relaxed waiting for the signal from their lieutenant.
Commencing the final turn, jumpers moved into position and were gone in the blink of an eye.
"You feel good when you see all 10 canopies open up," Mr. Olson said.
To learn more about the Leap Frogs, visit the Internet at www.seal.navy.mil/leapfrogs. The 139th Airlift Wing's Web site is www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usaf/139aw.htm.
© Copyright 2003, NPG Newspapers Inc. - St. Joseph News-Press
