Incredible footage from the skies above our nation’s capital as the U.S. Army Parachute Team, widely known as the Golden Knights, performed a test jump over the weekend for the Freedom 250 events. Staff Sgt. Daniel Gerlach and Staff Sgt. Clay Stevens were wearing a GoPros on their helmets as the team swooped past the Washington Monument at twilight in Washington, D.C. on 13th June 2026.
The U.S. Army Parachute Team is the official aerial demonstration and competition team of the United States Army. Formed in 1959 and nicknamed for their distinctive gold and black jump suits, they consist of 100+ active-duty Soldiers, Officers, Warrant Officers and Department of the Army Civilians, each bringing a variety of talents and skills from their experiences across the Army.
“The Golden Knights serve to connect America’s people to their Army by showcasing modern sport parachute exhibitions that pay homage to the Army’s daring and historic airborne operations.” -Golden Knights Commander, Lt. Col. Alan Wilson
The Golden Knights operate out of modified DHC-8/C-147A and UV-18C Viking Twin Otters providing the perfect paradrop platforms to deliver their jumpers on target anywhere in the country. Their enhanced aerial demonstrations are meant to highlight the pinpoint precision of their ram air accuracy canopies, synchronized freefall and canopy formations, gravity-defying wing suiting and high-performance landings.
The Golden Knights can be seen nationwide at major air shows, military base open houses, high-profile sporting events, and civic celebrations. They will be doing demonstrations all summer with their next event coming up on July 5–6 at the FourLeaf Air Show at Jones Beach, New York.
The teams of Golden Knights
The U.S. Army Parachute Team, known as the Golden Knights, is a combination of expert teams and Soldiers brought together by their love of skydiving. This includes parachute teams, aircraft pilots, and those who handle jump logistics behind the scenes. Whether you’re free falling at 120 miles per hour or learning to land with expert precision, you’ll experience the pride and thrill of adventure while performing around the world as an elite unit.
Demonstration
The Demonstration Team excels under pressure performing for excited audiences at some of the largest festivals, airshows, and sporting events around the country. Consisting of 26 Soldiers, the Team showcases the benefits of Army service with people everywhere through the sport of skydiving.
Tandem
Tandem Team is selected from experienced Demonstration Team members and specialize in passing along the gift of flight to first-time jumpers. From school teachers to community leaders, and celebrities, no one is better at helping you relax at 12,500 feet than Tandem Team. The team’s skilled aerial videographers capture every moment and provide guests with stunning photos and videos to share with their friends.
Competition
The Competition Team takes it to the next level by matching their skills in several disciplines against some of the top civilian and military skydiving teams in the world. They compete at the national and world levels, earning some of the highest accolades in parachuting and skydiving history. These men and women train year round to represent the Army as the “Champions of the Skies.”
Aviation Detachment
The Aviation Detachment, known as Team 6, represents some of the top fixed-wing pilots in the Army. They’re responsible for operating the Golden Knight’s fleet of aircraft used at performances around the world.
Headquarters Section
The Headquarters Section works behind the scenes and is responsible for leadership, organization, scheduling, training, logistics, and media relations for the Golden Knights. Together, they maintain the winning culture and attitude that allows the Team to perform at the highest level.
Exhibition
Golden Knights Extreme, also known as GK-X, performs exhibitions for audiences across disciplines like BASE jumping, wing suiting, and vertical formation skydiving. GK-X is the group of creative experts responsible for keeping the Golden Knights on the cutting edge of skydiving.
