Photo By Alun Thomas | Master Sgt. Travis Alfred, parachute demonstrator, discusses his mission with the...... read more read more
PEORIA, Ariz. – Service members from the Black Daggers, the official U.S. Army Special Operations Command Parachute Demonstration Team, visited students from Liberty High School, in the school gymnasium, Nov. 7, Peoria, Arizona.
The Black Daggers, who are scheduled to perform a demonstration at the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks National Football League game on Nov. 9, Glendale, Ariz., used their visit to the Phoenix area to brief the students on both their job and opportunities within the U.S. Army.
The Black Daggers mission according to USASOC, is to perform live aerial demonstrations in support of Army special operations community relations and recruiting.
During their demonstrations, the Black Daggers travel at speeds of 120 miles per hour, from up to 12,500 feet high, before employing their parachutes several thousand feet from the ground, landing with precise accuracy at their desired location.
Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Figel, parachute demonstrator, said the team often performs at high schools in an attempt to help out local recruiters.
“For us it’s aiding and recruiting – that’s our primary job. We’re a recruiting tool, just like the Blue Angels are for the Navy,” Figel said. “I’m not sure what the numbers are, but we definitely get the students interest when it comes to enlisting.”
Figel said he tries to plant the seeds of military service in their minds, so they can eventually see how it will benefit them later in life.
“Some of the kids join right away, while some others keep it in the back of their minds,” he explained. “That’s why it’s so important to have local recruiters here, to follow up on what they see us do.”
Figel, who has been with the Black Daggers since 2009 and has performed over 5000 jumps, said he finds his role fulfilling.
“We perform at a lot of air shows and always wow small children with our demonstrations, because it’s something they’ve only seen on TV,” Figel said. “High schools are tougher due to the shortened attention spans, but bringing out our gear and letting them look at it always helps.”
“If we were to jump into the school at a football game on a Friday night we would definitely have their attention and win them over,” he continued. “That’s really the whole focus and idea, to win students over and enable them to serve.”
| Date Taken: | 11.07.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 11.07.2017 15:42 |
| Story ID: | 254496 |
| Location: | PEORIA, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 204 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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