The US Military Academy, West Point Black Knights opened the show with a display of parachute jumping. The Air Show Website describes them as follows:

The West Point Parachute Team, The Black Knights, is the United States Military Academy’s Freefall demonstration and competition team. The Black Knights showcase the unique skills and opportunities available to the cadets by providing precision freefall demonstrations in support of Army Athletics, Cadet Reviews, and much more.

The all-cadet team also provides the chance for cadets to train their more junior Teammates as they progress from students to fully-licensed jumpers while operating in an in extremis context – the closest cadets will come to simulating the stress of combat at West Point. The Black Knights also compete in annual National Collegiate Parachuting Championships, representing West Point as they take on teams from the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Naval Academy, and many others.

The mission of the West Point Parachute Team is to educate, train, and inspire cadets to develop leadership skills and build self-confidence in an in extremis context. We will accomplish this by providing cadets the opportunity to work towards three specific and challenging goals: train freefall students, conduct precision freefall demonstrations, and compete and win at the national level.

The West Point Parachute Team will kick off the New York Air Show each day jumping in the American Flag for the National Anthem. For more the latest updates on the team’s participation in the New York Air Show follow our Facebook page.