The Golden Knights Arrive

Saturday, October 27th 2007, 4:35 pm

By: News On 6

The blue skies in northeast Oklahoma glinted gold Saturday afternoon. The Army's Golden Knights led off the Oklahoma Air Show in Muskogee. The News On 6â€™s Ashli Sims reports those turning their eyes skyward were treated to a pin prick in the blue sky that soon stretches into a stream of smoke before exploding into a flash of gold as the U.S. Army Golden Knights arrived.

"We are the United States parachute team. We are the ambassadors for the United States Army. We like to say we get out there and talk to the American public and really tell the Army story,â€ said parachutist Sergeant Drew Starr.

The Knights are an elite group of skydivers. Each has more than 1,000 jumps under their belts. Sergeant Drew Starr is in his first year with the team, but he's always wanted to jump out of a plane.

"I watched too much James Bond as a kid, maybe. No, it's something I always wanted to do. In fact, when I turned 16 years old, my mom asked me what I wanted to do and I said I want to go skydiving,â€ said Sergeant Drew Starr.

From two miles above Muskogee, they hurtle through the air zooming toward the ground at about 120 mph. They're in free fall for about 67 seconds.

"It's such a rush, ya know. It's like sticking your hand outside of a car window, but times four. It's a very intense feeling,â€ said Sergeant Drew Starr.

Thousands of feet from the ground, the team breaks formation, the parachutes bloom, and the acrobatics begin: diving, spinning and streaking toward their landing.

The team has a gilded 50-year history of successful skydiving, which is how they got their name.

"Golden because the team has a reputation of bringing home gold medals. And knights alluding to we've conquered the skies,â€ said Sergeant Drew Starr.

Once theyâ€™re back on the ground, the Knights repack their parachutes and give a quick lesson for the next generation looking to go golden. The Golden Knights will be flying high again on Sunday at the Oklahoma Air Show.

Watch the video: The Army Golden Knights Arrive

WEB EXTRA: Watch the Army Golden Knights Free Fall Video
(courtesy of Staff Sgt. Marc Owens)