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New World Record for Most Tandems in 24-hours
Photo by Billy Porter Two soldiers with the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) planned and executed a mission that put them in the Guinness book of world records and raised funds for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. Special Operations are those super-secret, highly specialized missions that all branches of the US military forces participate in to defend the United States and its interests. Soldiers have additional training and expertise in many fields. LtCol Chip Bowlin and LtCol Kristine Gould have over 35 years of SOCOM experience between them. They are at based at McDill AFB, Tampa, FL. Both are members of the Special Operations Command Parachute Team. For nearly 29 years, the Special Operations Warrior Foundation has provided full college scholarship grants, not loans, along with financial aid and educational counseling to surviving children of Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps special operations personnel who were killed in an operational mission or training accident. The Special Operations Warrior Foundation is proud of its ability to maintain a low overhead. In 2008, the administrative overhead was 5.8 percent - meaning 94.2 cent of every dollar goes directly to the programs of supporting special operations personnel and their families. Bowlin and Gould decided to meld their passions for skydiving with a fund raising event for SWOF. The idea was to do the most tandem jumps in a 24-hour period. Tandem jumps are when two people jump together under a single parachute system. They are attached at four points. They exit together, freefall together and land together. The goal was to make 150 tandem jumps in 24-hours. That would average out to one tandem jump every 9.6 minutes. This was an astounding goal that would require stamina, fast planes, quick gear changes and a mental temerity to succeed. Bowlin and Gould contacted the Guinness people and learned all the rules that they must follow to claim a world record. They had to have two people present the entire time to record and monitor the event. They next prepared the logistics. They obtained the backing of Ted Strong of Strong Enterprises. Strong Enterprises built 6 custom tandem rigs for their adventure. They contacted a public drop zone at Zepherhills, FL. Skydive City worked with them during practice jumps to work out aircraft, exit points, landing places, packing areas, support personnel, food and drinks, bathroom breaks and hundreds of gopher jobs. During the four months prior to the event they did 100 tandems as practice at Skydive City. 
Photo by Billy Porter The gear was manufactured and the event was scheduled for April 14-15, 2009. All the pre-planning paid off with a staff and volunteers of about 60 people. Jumping was to commence at 8AM, but bad weather delayed the start time until 6PM on April 14, 2009. This turned out to help the jumps done at night because they were less fatigued. Thirty staff people helped at all times. Another 30 people volunteered their time and expertise to make the record a huge success. 
Photo by Billy Porter Three officials kept track of the event. Two were on duty at all times. They authenticated that the Guinness Record was according to all the rules. Six packers, most who were present for the entire 24-hours, were under the guidance of Khan, the chief packer at Skydive City. They kept the rigs packed and packed faster than Bowlin and Gould could jump. Most of the time three rigs were ready to jump at any time. They also packed flawlessly, as there were no malfunctions at this event. Rig haulers carried out the rig for the next jump to the landing area. Six ground staff helped collapse the canopy after landing and helped Bowlin to quickly shed the open rig and don the next rig. Gould wore one of two harnesses she had on each jump. Two DZ chauffeurs were available to pick up the jumpers at the landing area and drive them over to the awaiting aircraft in a golf cart. There was always at least one safety monitor on board the aircraft to check gear, seatbelts, altitude and the exit point. They also had a cache of quick food bites for the in-flight service. Bowlin and Gould did not have to pay $5.00 for their in-flight snack meal. There were three pilots available that flew 2-hour shifts. Each made about 6-8 flights per hour. Marco was the Chief pilot. They took off and climbed to the exit altitude of 4,600 to 5,000 ft AGL and put the plane over the proper exit point with precision. When one plane needed refueling, another plane was there to take the next load. There were many other volunteers that did whatever needed to be done. These people ran to fetch food, go get something, do something to enhance safety or haul rigs. At least one of Ted Strong and Bill Morrissey from Strong Enterprises were present at all times. Most of the time both were present. They concentrated on the well being of Bowlin and Gould. The exit altitude was between 4,600 and 5,000 ft AGL. The drogue was immediately thrown. The drogue release was pulled right away. The main canopy was open by 4000 ft AGL as required by all of the applicable rules. Once opened, the pair spiraled down. Gould did most of the steering for the descent. Bowlin usually did the flare for landing. Both did many of the flares together. About 20% of the landings were stand-ups. The quick spiral descent took its toll as blood seemed to collect in their legs. The slide-in landings were actually easier on their legs. Except for early morning on the 15th, they had a steady wind for landing. The often asked, but never answered question about bathroom breaks has been revealed. Bowlin and Gould each had their private porta-potty for the event. They did not have to wait in line or deal with previous users. The very last jump was done from 12,500 ft. They ended the 24-hour period with 103 jumps. That works out to an average of 13.98 minutes per jump. But they had some impressive 6-7 minutes turn times. These Special DUAL HAWK TANDEM SYSTEMS are for Sale ! 
Photo by Billy Porter Price $12,000, $1,000 to the Warrior Foundation, (Check out Feb. 2009 of the Calendar for lots more info.) $1,000 to the Legal Defense Fund, to help offset some of the $600,000 in expenses Strong Enterprises has to fight this case.
Warrior Foundation Dual Hawks:
These systems are a part of skydiving History!
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