Leap Frogs Conduct Sunrise Training Session at Homestead

Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Trevor Thompson, member of the U.S. Navy parachute team "The Leap Frogs," flies the American flag during a sunrise training demonstration at Homestead Air Reserve Base. (U.S. Navy photo by Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Trevor Thompson/Released)

Navy Leap Frogs Training in San Diego

Members of the U.S. Navy Parachute Team, the Leap Frogs, perform a tethered flag during a training demonstration. The Navy Parachute Team is based in San Diego and performs aerial parachute demonstrations around the nation in support of Naval Special Warfare and Navy recruiting. U.S. Navy photo by James Woods (Released)

Leap Frogs Preparing for Air Show Season

 

 

Members of the U.S. Navy Parachute Team, the Leap Frogs, perform a drag plane during a training demonstration at Skydive Arizona. The Leap Frogs are in Arizona preparing for the 2016 show season. U.S. Navy photo by Bruce Griffith (Released)

 

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Leap Frogs Jump Start 2012 Season at El Centro Air Show

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Luke Eastman, U.S. Navy Parachute Team Public Affairs

EL CENTRO, Calif. (NNS) -- Almost 50,000 spectators watched the U.S. Navy parachute demonstration team, the Leap Frogs, perform during Naval Air Facility El Centro Air Show, March 9 and 10.

The Leap Frogs, composed of parachuting experts from Naval Special Warfare, performed three demonstrations; a night jump at the pre-show event and two daytime jumps during the air show.

The team used colored smoke and pyrotechnics to help spectators spot the jumpers from a jump altitude of 6,500 feet above show center. The jump aircraft was a C-2A Greyhound aircraft from "the Providers" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30. Members of the Leap Frogs flew an American flag, a POW/MIA flag and a huge Navy SEAL Trident flag during their performance, Mrch 10. The Trident is the insignia worn by Navy SEALs after graduating from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training.

"I think it's wonderful [to have the Leap Frogs perform]," said Rear Adm. Dixon Smith, commander, Navy Region Southwest. “The performance last night was stunning. It just remphasizes that the United States Navy is out there executing the mission and we've got some really talented Sailors."

The Leap Frogs presented a signed, framed photograph of the team to Capt. Devon Jones, commanding officer of Naval Air Facility El Centro.

"We're very patriotic in the defense of our country," said Jones. "When [the Leap Frogs] come down with the American flag it sets the tone and the atmosphere. The public is just always tremendously impressed and amazed by folks jumping out of airplanes and making precision landings."

Spectators clapped and cheered as the Leap Frogs performed a series of maneuvers known as canopy relative work, including a drag plane. During the drag plane, three jumpers linked together in the air with one jumper turned completely upside down.

El Centro Air Show was the Leap Frogs' first performance in a busy 2012 schedule, said Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Brad Woodard.

"It's a great way to kick off the show season," said Woodard, the team chief. "We're just coming out of a rigorous winter-training cycle, so being here in El Centro makes all that hard work pay off. I'm looking forward to traveling around the country with the team and showing Americans just part of what Naval Special Warfare operators do."

El Centro Air Show is the first of 35 major events on the Leap Frogs' schedule this year. The team is based in San Diego and performs aerial parachute demonstrations across America in support of Naval Special Warfare and Navy recruiting.

US Navy Leap Frogs 2011 Performance Schedule

US Navy Leap Frogs 2011 Performance Schedule

The US Navy Leap Frog Parachute Team has announced their performance schedule for the 2011 season. This schedule on the blog is subject to change without notice and is weather permitting, for everyones safety.

Stay tuned to the MMP blog and check the "Milcom Blog Guide to Airshows" section on the right hand side of this blog for links to other schedules and field reports from readers during the airshow season.

Don't forget to checkout our 12th annual Air Show Guide that will appear in the March 2011 issue of Monitoring Times magazine. It will be loaded with the latest frequencies (for US and foreign teams), combined schedules, and radio equipment recommendations to make your air show experience an enjoyable and pleasurable one.

The web version of our March guide won't be posted to the MT website until mid to late April. This is done as a courtesy to our subscribers and readers who pay the freight. So get your copy of the March issue before it sells out when it is released in the last week of February. Better yet, get a subscription and don't miss a single exciting issue of Monitoring Times magazine.

MT Air Show Reference Resources

Official Website: http://leapfrogs.navy.mil
Navy SEALS Official Website: http://sealswcc.com
Leap Frogs Facebook: http://facebook.com/leapfrogs

Ed Blog Note: If you attend any of these events with your scanner in hand, I could use your field reports on the frequencies that the team is using. I haven't had any recent reports on the teams communications. See my latest MT Airshow Guide (link in air show reference sidebar) for what we have reported in the past. If you have anything to share, please contact me at the email address in the masthead of this blog. Your field reports are important to us to keep the annual MT Air Show Guide current.

2011 Performance Schedule

January 2011
January 1 Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, California - Rose Bowl

February 2011
February 12 San Diego Bay, California - Centennial of Flight

March 2011
March 19-23 Austin, Texas - Austin Navy Week

April 2011
April 28-30 Des Moines, Iowa - Drake Relays

May 2011
May 2-6 Denver, Colorado - Denver Navy Week
May 21 Jacksonville Beach, Florida - Never Quit Beach Fest & Navy SEAL Fitness Challenge
May 27-31 Baltimore, Maryland - Baltimore Lacrosse Champs

June 2011
June 4-5 Rockford, Illinois - Rockford Air Fest 2011
June 12-15 Chattanooga, Tennessee - Chattanooga Navy Week
June 17-19 Sarasota, Florida - Florida Lacrosse Champs
June 28-30 Chicago, Illinois - Chicago Navy Week

July 2011
July 1 Chicago, Illinois - Chicago Navy Week
July 16 Little Creek, Virginia - East Coast Navy SEAL Reunion
July 26-30 Los Angeles, California - Los Angeles Navy Week

August 2011
August 5 Qualcomm Stadium San Diego, California - California State Games
August 13-17 Indianapolis, Indiana - Indianapolis Navy Week
August 20-21 Chicago, Illinois - Chicago Air & Water Show
August 20 San Diego, California - West Coast SEAL Reunion
August 30-31 Cincinnati, Ohio - Cincinnati Navy Week

September 2011
September 1-4 Cincinnati, Ohio - Cincinnati Navy Week
September 24-27 Springfield, Massachusetts - Springfield Navy Week
September 24 Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California - Coronado Speed Festival

October 2011
October 1-2 MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California - Miramar Air Show
October 5-8 Albuquerque, New Mexico - Albuquerque Navy Week

November 2011
November 5 National UDT-SEAL Museum, Fort Pierce, Florida - UDT/SEAL Muster

December 2011
December 10 Baltimore, Maryland - Army Navy Game (Go Navy, Beat Army)
December 30 Qualcomm Stadium San Diego, California - Holiday Bowl

Leap Frogs Kick Off Quad City Air Show

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michelle Kapica, Naval Special Warfare Public Affairs

DAVENPORT, Iowa (NNS) -- Approximately 100,000 air-show enthusiasts watched as the U.S. Navy parachute demonstration team, the Leap Frogs, kicked off the 24th annual Quad City Air Show in Davenport, Iowa, June 26-27.

The Leap Frogs, composed of Navy SEALs, special warfare combatant-craft crewmen and parachute riggers, parachuted down from an Alaska Air National Guard C-130 Hercules aircraft during the opening ceremony of the two-day event.

Spectators packed the flight line and cheered as the team jumped from 8,000 feet above show center. The jumpers deployed their blue and gold main canopies and linked up in what is called canopy-relative work. The jumpers formed bi-plane and T-formations. Two jumpers had the crowd on their feet as they performed a down plane and swooped in for an impressive, precision landing. The team rocketed toward the ground at more than 120 miles per hour in a bomb burst formation for the final jump June 27.

A few young cadets from the Davenport Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol (DCSCAP) got the chance to meet the team up close, when they were invited to help pack the Leap Frogs' parachutes after the performance.

"They were amazing!" said Nick Reed, a DCSCAP cadet. "I hope to get my skydiving license and maybe join the Navy and become one of these people one day. That would be a dream job!"

Various aerobatic display teams followed the Leap Frogs' performance, including the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force Legacy Flights, U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornet and U.S. Air Force F-15 Strike Eagle, in addition to many civilian teams. The event concluded with a re-enactment of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

"I love the Leap Frogs, they're fantastic!" said Ken Hopper, president, founder and air boss of Quad City Air Show. "Their performance today just goes to show that the Leap Frogs will jump if humanly possible, and they just have that Navy can-do attitude."

"We are thrilled to be part of the air show," said Chief Special Warfare Operator Justin Gauny, leading chief petty officer of the Leap Frogs. "We really enjoy coming out and performing at events like this. It's a great opportunity to show the public a little bit about what we do."

The Leap Frogs are based in San Diego and perform parachute demonstrations across the United States in support of Naval Special Warfare and Navy Recruiting Command.

US Navy Leap Frogs 2010 Schedule

US Navy Leap Frogs 2010 Performance Schedule
This schedule is subject to change without notice.

15-22 March Tampa (FL) Navy Week
25-30 March Phoenix (AZ) Navy Week
02 April Lake Elsinore Storm Baseball
10-14 April Philadelphia (PA) Phillies Home Opener and High Schools
19-26 April Des Moines (IA) Navy Week and Drake Relays
29 April – 03 May St. Joseph ANG Open House, St. Joseph, MO
28-31 May NCAA Lacrosse Championship – Baltimore, MD
03-07 June Ocean City Air Show, MD
04-06 June High School Track & Field Championships, Clovis, CA
09 June Race Across America Marathon, Oceanside, CA
24-28 June Quad City Air Show, IA
03 July Minnesota Twins Armed Forces Day
09 July California State Games, Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, CA
17 July Navy SEAL East Coast Reunion
09-16 August Chicago (IL) Navy Week and Sea/Air Show
19-22 August High School Lacrosse Championships – Florida
23-30 August Boise Navy Week, Boise, ID
03 September Del Norte High School football game
26 September Coronado Speed Festival, Coronado, CA
09 October Ironman World Championships, Kona, HI
06 November UDT/SEAL Muster, Fort Pierce, FL
11 December Navy/Army, Philadelphia, PA

Leap Frogs Perform at BMX Supercross World Cup

By Lt. Lori A. Campbell, Naval Special Warfare Public Affairs

CHULA VISTA, Calif. (NNS) -- More than 3,000 BMX riders and fans watched the Navy Parachute Team, the Leap Frogs, perform during the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) BMX Supercross World Cup held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center (OTC) in Chula Vista, Calif., Sept. 19.

The event brought together BMX riders from 29 states and three countries to compete in the American Bicycle Association U.S Nationals, held in conjunction with the UCI World Cup.

The atmosphere was electric. Riders from age 6 to 60 whizzed around the new, purpose-built track catching air over every bump.

The biking action paused for a few minutes as the Leap Frogs parachuted down giving an incredible display of precision team work. Two jumpers performed a high-speed diamond track formation and reached approximately 180 miles per hour, while other jumpers gracefully circled down trailing bright colored smoke.

"We're excited to have the military present and be a part of this event," said Dave Stow, associate director of the U.S. OTC. "This event was a great event to reach out to the international community, the city of Chula Vista, the military, Olympic Training Center and the sport of BMX."

The last jumper touched down in unison with the ending of the national anthem, sung by Musician 3rd Class Ashely Monroig from Navy Band Southwest.

Shortly after the Leap Frogs' arrival, the parachute team met with spectators to talk about their experiences at Naval Special Warfare. Navy recruiters from Navy Recruiting District San Diego also answered questions about officer and enlisted career paths in the Navy.

"These athletes could be a great fit at Naval Special Warfare one day," said Chief Special Warfare Boat Operator (SWCC) J.C. Ledbetter, the senior enlisted member of the Leap Frogs. "It has obviously taken hard work and dedication for these riders to get to this competitive level. That's the kind of commitment it takes for guys to make it to the [special warfare] teams."

For more information about the Navy Parachute Team, visit www.leapfrogs.navy.mil, or for information about Naval Special Warfare programs, visit www.sealswcc.com.

US Navy Leap Frogs 2009 Schedule

Don't forget to checkout our tenth annual Air Show Guide that will appear in the March 2009 issue of Monitoring Times magazine. It will be loaded with the latest frequencies (for US and foreign teams), combined schedules, and radio equipment recommendations to make your air show experience an enjoyable and pleasurable one.

The web version of our March guide won't be posted to the MT website until mid to late April. This is done as a courtesy to our subscribers and readers who pay the freight. So get your copy of the March issue before it sells out when it is released in the last week of February. Better yet, get a subscription and don't miss a single exciting issue of Monitoring Times magazine.

US Navy Leap Frogs 2009 Performance Schedule
This schedule is subject to change without notice.

March 7-14 Phoenix, AZ - SEAL Fitness Challenge
March 31-April 2 Virginia Beach, VA - Virginia Beach Wrestling Camp
April 6-10 Philadelphia, PA - Philadelphia Phillies and high schools
April 20-27 St. Louis, MO - Navy Week
April 30-May 3 NAS/JRB New Orleans, LA - Nawlins Air Show 2009
May 4-9 Dallas, TX - SEAL Fitness Challenge
May 15-16 Baltimore, MD - Preakness Horse Race
May 25-June 1 Janesville, WI - Navy Week
June 15-21 Pittsburgh, PA - SEAL Fitness Challenge
June 26 -28 Grand Forks AFB, ND - Grand Forks Air Show
July 17-18 Virginia Beach, VA - East Coast SEAL Reunion
July 31-August 2 Seattle, WA - Sea Fair
August 3-9 Seattle, WA - SEAL Fitness Challenge
August 13-16 Chicago, IL - Chicago Air and Water Show
August 15 San Diego, CA - West Coast SEAL Reunion
September 1-6 Columbus, OH - Ohio Navy Week
September 13-20 Detroit, MI - Metro SEAL Fitness Challenge
October 7-12 Hawaii - Ironman World Championships
October 13-15 Oahu, HI - Oahu high schools
October 16-18 Kaneohe Bay, HI - Kaneohe Bay Air Show
November 6-7 Ft. Pierce, FL - UDT/SEAL Muster
December 12 Philadelphia, PA - Army/Navy Game

US Navy Leap Frogs 2008 Performance Schedule

The free web version of our March Airshow Guide won't be posted to the MT website until mid to late April. This is done as a courtesy to our subscribers and readers who pay the freight.

US Navy Leap Frogs 2008 Performance Schedule

Dates / Location / Event

April
03-06 San Antonio TX / Wings Over South Texas Air Show
07-08 Houston TX / Houston Astros Home Opener
20-27 Dearborn MI / SFC Promotions

May
08-11 Pittsburgh PA / Wings Over Pittsburgh Air Show
12-18 Baltimore MD / Preakness
22 Orange County CA / Mission Viejo High School
27 Imperial Beach CA / Mar Vista High School
29-Jun 2 Dover DE / Dover 400

June
13-16 Lawrence KS / Kansas Ironman

July
09 San Diego CA / Educators
11 San Diego CA / California State Games
17-20 Virginia Beach VA / East Coast SEAL Reunion
21-23 Minneapolis MN / J Robinson Wrestling Camp

August
12-21 Chicago IL / SFC Promotions

September
10 San Diego CA / Local Recruiting
11 Los Angeles CA / Local Recruiting
17-22 Virginia Beach VA / Oceana Air Show
27 San Diego CA / Water Polo Tournament
28 San Diego CA / Coronado Speed Fest

October
02-05 Prescott AZ / Prescott Air Fair
14-19 Tunica MS / Scout Base 2008

November
13-16 Ft. Pierce FL / UDT/SEAL Muster

December
04-07 Philadelphia PA / Annual Army/Navy Game "Go Navy, Beat Army"

This schedule is subject to change.

Leap Frogs Do Texas Football Their Way!

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Josh Treadwell, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs
A member of the U.S. Navy Parachute Demonstration Team, the Leap Frogs, jumps into the Cotton Bowl as part of Dallas Navy Week. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Josh Treadwell)

The U.S. Navy Parachute Team, the Leap Frogs, jumped into Plano High School’s Clark Stadium, Sept. 28, to deliver the game football and game coin, marking the beginning of Dallas Navy Week.

The sold-out crowd for the annual rivalry between Plano High School and Allen High School greeted the Leap Frogs as they floated into the stadium with raucous cheers.

That evening, the Leap Frogs jumped into to the Cotton Bowl for the annual State Fair Classic between, Prairie View A&M and Grambling State, performing their precision freefall and parachute jumps in support of Navy-wide retention, recruiting and community relations programs.

"We travel around the [United States] to help keep the public aware of the Navy," said Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Robert Fienberg. "Our main focus is to show public awareness and aid in the recruitment of Navy Special Warfare."

The performance was sponsored by Navy Recruiting District Dallas and the Navy Office of Community Outreach to generate awareness of Special Warfare Operations and identify those who may want to be a SEAL or other special warfare operator.

The U.S. Navy Parachute Team is a 15-man team comprised entirely of U.S. Navy SEAL and Special Warfare Combatant Craft Crewman (SWCC) personnel. Each member comes to the team for a three-year tour from one of the two Naval Special Warfare groups located on the East and West coasts. Upon completion of the tour, members return to operational units.

This performance was held in conjunction with Dallas Navy Week, Sept. 28-Oct. 7. Dallas Navy Week is planned and coordinated by Navy Recruiting District Dallas and Navy Office of Community Outreach to increase Navy awareness and strengthen the rich and diverse relationship between the Dallas community and the Navy. During Navy Week, Sailors will reach out to the local community visiting veterans, children’s hospitals, local schools and conducting various community service projects.

Dallas Navy Week is one of 26 Navy Weeks planned across America in 2007. Navy weeks are designed to show Americans the investment they have made in their Navy and provide heartland communities opportunities to meet Sailors first hand, and learn about the latest capabilities and opportunities in the U.S. Navy.

Leap Frogs Take a Leap Into 2007

Photo: Members of the U.S. Navy Parachute Demonstration Team Leap Frogs descend into San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium during a training session. The Leap Frogs are a 15-man team comprised of Navy SEALs (Sea, Air, Land) and Special Warfare Combatant Craft (SWCC) personnel. The Leap Frogs support Navy Recruiting efforts and promote the Naval Special Warfare community to the American public. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Stephanie Tigner

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice David L. Smart, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Sailors known as the Leap Frogs, members of the U.S. Navy’s Parachute Team, conducted training for their upcoming 2007 schedule at Qualcomm Stadium on March 8.

The Leap Frogs perform precision freefall and parachute jumps in support of Navy-wide retention, recruiting and community relations programs.

“We travel around the [United States] to help keep the public aware of the Navy,” said Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Nix White, leading petty officer of the Leap Frogs. “Our main focus is to show public awareness and aid in the recruitment of Navy Special Warfare.”

The Leap Frogs generally hold performances 35 to 50 times annually. They practice for three months out of the year to ensure that safety measures are met.

“Safety is our number one concern,” said Special Warfare Operator 1st Class John Murray, a team member of the Leap Frogs. “Skydiving is an inherently dangerous sport already, and when you add in a stadium full of people, safety is paramount.”

The Leap Frogs are renowned for their exciting and complex skydiving formations. They bring a different type of halftime show to an event.

“It’s very exciting to see them do their stunts,” said Janell Lucken, a deputy sheriff for San Diego County. “Seeing the show has really instilled pride in me and has given me a very patriotic feeling.”

To find out more, visit www.leapfrogs.navy.mil. You can see the complete schedule for the Leap Frogs right here on the MT Milcom Blogspot at http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/2007/02/us-navy-leap-frogs-2007-performance.html. And you can get all the frequencies for the Leap Frogs in the March 2007 issue of Monitoring Times magazine on sale right now at a newstand near you.