FReeper Canteen ~ Remembering Our Troops: The Leap Frogs! ~ 26 January 2023

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | The Canteen Crew and FRiend

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ The FReeper Canteen Presents ~

~ Remembering Our Troops!!
Leap Frogs Edition~

Fun Fact #1

The Navy’s parachute team dates back to 1969, when Underwater Demolition Team members volunteered to perform at air shows. In 1974, the team was officially given its name by the Chief of Naval Operations, who tasked them with demonstrating the Navy’s excellence throughout the United States. Today, the West Coast-based team of 15 keeps the mission alive by touring nationwide and dazzling audiences with aerial demonstrations.
Credit: https://bit.ly/3c9e1Y9

Canteen Mission Statement

Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies' military
and family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.

Fun Fact #2

The Leap Frogs consists of 15 Navy SEALs. Since only males can join the SEALs, all of the Leap Frogs are men. The team, however, changes constantly. Each member dedicates himself to a three-year tour with the Leap Frogs. After that time, he returns to military duty and is replaced by another SEAL. This rotation allows Leap Frog participants to participate in the military operations that they were trained for while also giving them the opportunity to enjoy time away from combat zones. Not all Navy SEALs participate in Leap Frogs. Some do not wish to join the group because they prefer to focus on military operations. Given that there are only 15 members of Leap Frogs at any given time, there is also limited room for those who might like to participate.
Credit: https://bit.ly/3fFXay6

Fun Fact #3

Leap Frog performers usually jump from an aircraft traveling at 12,500 feet above the ground. This gives the SEALs enough time to perform a variety of maneuvers. During freefall, Leap Frog members reach 120 mpg, but they can alter their speed by shifting their bodies into certain positions. They often reach speeds as high as 180 mph.
Credit: https://bit.ly/3fFXay6

Fun Fact #4

Leap Frogs often add to the beauty of their performances by using colorful smoke grenades. This leaves a trail of brightly colored smoke behind them as they fall toward the ground.
Credit: https://bit.ly/3fFXay6

Fun Fact #5

At the outset, personally owned parachutes and equipment were utilized, which provided little uniformity, no matter how well the jumps were executed. To overcome this dilemma and still remain within the “no cost to the government” provision, unique procurement techniques were employed. Innovation being the mother if invention, known only too well by the Teams of that era, produced Pioneer Jumpsuits, Bell Helmets, French Jump Boots, Altimeters and Para¬Commander Parachutes, the most radical change in parachute design in thirty five years. The Team initially consisted of five jumpers: LCDR Olson, PHC Gagliardi, SK2 “Herky” Hertenstein, PR1 Al Schmiz and PH2 “Chip” Maury. Schmiz and Maury were members of the original “Chuting Stars.” Credit: https://bit.ly/34CQvi1 Over the next decade, the West Coast “Para Team” grew in size and adopted the name “Leap Frogs.” With this growth came more professionalism and national recognition as a group of jumpers to be reckoned with. The photo is: The original U.S. Navy Parachute Demonstration Team, the Leap Frogs, circa 1963.

Fun Fact #6

A UDT jumper wearing a football helmet, reserve and main parachute, and inflatable boat secured to his this chest, briefed in 1966 to Admiral D.L. MacDonnell, Chief of Naval Operations, by LCDR Norm Olson, Commanding Officer, UDT-11.
Credit: https://bit.ly/3fZM324

Fun Fact #7

Picture: Captain Norman Olson. When now CDR Olson was reassigned to the Atlantic Fleet in 1968, he again convinced his boss, Commander Naval Special Warfare Group, ATLANTIC, to establish a demonstration team similar to the one in the Pacific. For the next several years, the UDT SEAL Para Team ATLANTIC put on demonstrations throughout the East Coast, but the big break came in 1973 during the Annual Azalea Day Festival Air Show at NAS, Norfolk. Historically, this had been a Blue Angels/Golden Knights show; however, that year the Army had a scheduling conflict and had to renege. Being opportunists, the Para Team invited itself to the dance and put on a superb demonstration.
Credit: https://bit.ly/2SNS7To

Please remember that The Canteen is here to support
and entertain our troops and veterans and their families,
and is family friendly.

[luvie]

Hey there, radu!

Isn’t it great? I’ll bet they nearly bowled each other when they came together. Such love! Thank God for our troops and the ones they love.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Janey...((HUGS))...has the sun reappeared yet?

[Kathy in Alaska]

WOOHOO! Two of you were members of the Leap Frogs!!

We thank you for your service to our country.

[radu]

Yes it is and I’ll bet you’re right.

How are things down there? Did it warm up at all or is it still cold?

[Magnum44]

To be clear, I was not a member. I was a guest. I was an aviator, not a SEAL, but I had a privilege before going through flight school to go to airborne and HALO training. It gave me opportunities throughout my military career to jump with various military units and make lots of great friends.

[luvie]

It’s still pretty cold tonight. 34 right now and will get down to about 28. It’ll warm up to the low 60s on Saturday and Sunday. How about you? Any more rain in your future? How is that beautiful winter wheat looking now?

[radu]

t sounds like we’ll be close to the same overnight. Tomorrow will be our cold day and they’re still calling for snow showers in the morning. It won’t stick much and the wind will keep the roads dry. Still going to be cold going to the Republican women’s meeting. brrrrrrrr

Friday and Saturday will be dry but more rain comes in after that. At least it’ll be warm with temps in the 50s.

The wheat still looks beautiful, happy with the rain we’ve been getting.

I reckon I’d better shut this thing down and start getting things done so I can hit the sack. The alarm will go off too early for comfort in the morning.

Catch ya tomorrow.

[luvie]

Enjoy the meeting tomorrow. Glad they didn’t cancel it but I hope it’s going to be in a nice warm venue. I hope y’all rustle up some really great candidates for the next election cycle.

See ya tomorrow, for sure.

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good Thursday morning and ((HUGS)) to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

Yesterday at Wichita Ridge:

As you can see we had much nicer weather yesterday than we did on Tuesday.

Plans are to do Applebee's for supper today and then Chisolm Trail Park later today.

How's everyone doing this morning?

[Kathy in Alaska]

No worries...I shouldn’t assume. 😊

We still thank you for your service as an aviator.

[Kathy in Alaska]

WOW!! Good morning, E...((HUGS))...look at all those things Gizmo got to do on yesterday’s adventure. Happy dog!!

You boys have a wonderful time at Chisolm Trail Park, and enjoy Applebee’s.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Finally got internet back! I am called the Geek Squad directly tomorrow and hope to get someone HERE to figure out why all the modem thingys won’t work at the same time. GRRRR!!!

Enjoy your Republican women’s meeting in the morning, and stay warm!

[luvie]

Howdy, Howdy, Early Birds!
How 'bout those brave paratroopers!
But....jumping out of a perfectly good plane?
Noooo, thank you very much!
Hope all y'all have a Thank-The-Troops Thursday!
They are why we are safe and free!
(((hugs)))