After the backflip

SOCOM Para-Commando Cris Fucci and his tandem passenger Sun News reporter Josh Bell establish their freefall position after a backflip exit during the Wings Over Myrtle Beach Air Show April 27, 2018. The SOCOM Para-Commandos are the only joint military demonstration team in the DoD; a reserve C-130 from the 934th Airlift Wing, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Air Reserve Station, provided the jump team's airlift at the show.(Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Cory Christiansen)

Crew watches jumpers

Master Sgt. Eric Schraeder, loadmaster with the 934th Airlift Wing, watches the descent of the SOCOM Para-Commandos after they depart the C-130 for their performance at the Wings Over Myrtle Beach Air Show April 27, 2018. The SOCOM Para-Commandos are the only joint military demonstration team in the DoD; the aircrew from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Air Reserve Station provided the jump team's airlift at the show. (Photo Courtesy Jason Lee, Sun News):

Prejump brief

SOCOM Para-Commandos U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Cory Christiansen and DoD Parachute Officer Keith Walter brief the jump plan to 934th Airlift Wing loadmaster Master Sgt. Eric Schraeder and pilot Major Dan Schei before the first jump at the Wings Over Myrtle Beach Air Show April 29, 2018. The SOCOM Para-Commandos are the only joint military demonstration team in the DoD; a reserve C-130 from the 934th Airlift Wing, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Air Reserve Station, provided the jump team's airlift at the show. (Air Force Photo/Lt. Col Erin Karl)

Vikings over Myrtle Beach

SOCOM Para-Commandos U.S. Marine Master Sgt. Jeff Duncan and U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael Puma make a picture perfect exit from a C-130 from the 934th Airlift Wing, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Air Reserve Station, while being circled by two civilian aerobatic planes at the Wings Over Myrtle Beach Air Show April 28, 2018. The SOCOM Para-Commandos are the only joint military demonstration team in the DoD; the C-130 from the "Global Vikings" provided the jump team's airlift at the show.(Photo Courtesy Rob Holland Ultimate Airshows)

Global Vikings give Para-Commandos a lift at Wings Over Myrtle Beach

Published May 1, 2018
By Lt. Col. Erin Karl
Special Operations Command

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- The Special Operations Command Para-Commandos dazzle air show attendees around the country, but without airlift, their performance can't "get off the ground." The weekend at the Wings Over Myrtle Beach Air Show, a C-130 and crew from the 934th Airlift Wing left their home in chilly Minneapolis, Minn., to enjoy the sand and surf of the Grand Strand, as well as give the special ops parachute team a ride to work each day.

"We jump out of both civilian and military aircraft of all types and sizes. This air crew and their Herc were amazing," said Para-Commandos team leader Keith Walter. "We were on time and on target for all five of our jumps this weekend. Outstanding!"

The SOCOM Para-Commandos are the only joint military demonstration team in the Department of Defense. Based at SOCOM headquarters at MacDill AFB, Tampa, Fla., the team performs precision skydive demonstrations at air shows and sporting events across the U.S.

The 934th Airlift Wing, known at the Global Vikings, is Minnesota's only Air Force Reserve unit. It is a combat-ready Air Force Reserve Command flying unit, and is based at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Air Reserve Station.

One of the jumps featured a tandem skydive with a reporter from the Myrtle Beach Sun News, Josh Bell, who had never left an airplane in mid-flight before. Not only is a tandem with the Para-Commandos a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a journalist, the event was even more unique since it was done out of a military aircraft.

"It was like nothing I've ever experienced," said Bell after landing. "That is the best thing I've ever done."

Merging the SOCOM Para-Commandos and the Global Vikings this weekend created a seamless example of Total Force Integration. The members of these teams created a true joint environment made up of Air Force traditional reservists, an Individual Mobilization Augmentee, and Air Reserve Technicians, active duty Army and Marines, as well as DoD civilians.

"We had a blast flying with the 934th, "said U.S. Army Special Forces Sgt. 1st Class Cory Christiansen, non-commissioned officer in charge for the team. "We look forward to jumping with them again soon."