Navy Week Feature: Leap Frogs Parachute Team

Navy Night at Airline High School kicked off with an amazing aerial demonstration by the U.S. Navy Leap Frogs. These guys are Navy SEALs who do parachute jumps from planes.

Special Operator First Class Brandon Peterson and SO1 T.J. Amdahl joined Robert and Erin on the KEEL Morning Show today. Peterson said the two didn't initially intend on parachute-jumping for a living.

"We ended up joining the military and in a sense, we kinda got forced into doing it. I don't think any of us really wanted to start jumping, but we did. We both grew to love it and at this point in our careers, we're part of the U.S. Navy Parachute Team," Peterson said. "We do demonstrations. We'll do everything from parabatics to flying flags, hanging smoke. When we're talking about parabatics, that's us linking up in the air and then performing stunts. You've really gotta come out to see it. It's really hard to explain, but it's some cool stuff."

Erin McCarty with the KEEL Morning Show asked whether the guys had ever had any close calls on any of their jumps.
Amdahl said he's had to use his secondary chute a couple of times. So...are they praying -- or cursing -- when that happens?

"I'm praying definitely," Amdahl said. "I might be cursing, but I try to pray," said Peterson. "I usually pray for him," Amdahl added.

Amdahl said what they're doing now is much different than the usual Navy SEAL work.

"It's definitely a switch. You know, we go from no one ever seeing us, and that is our goal, to doing public parachute jumps where we are demonstrating," he said. "It's a unique opportunity where people can see Navy SEALS jump in. It's a great privilege for me to be jumping in a 1,500 square foot American flag."

Check out video of the group's jump last night into the Airline High School stadium. My daughter (pictured above) absolutely loved these guys! She was thrilled she got to meet them.