Challenge: Break the World Record
The Alpha 5 Project Team, a fearless crew on a mission to honor the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) and pay tribute to the daring U.S. Air Force Special Warfare Pararescue Specialists, just smashed a world record for the highest HALO (high altitude, low opening) formation skydive!
Picture this: Five team members launched from the New Mexico Military Institute, hitching a ride on a colossal balloon that inflated to nearly 115 feet tall. They soared to a jaw-dropping 38,067 feet before taking the plunge. Midair, they joined forces in a five-person skydiving formation, landing a whopping 14 miles away from the launch site.
Guinness World Records was there to give them the official thumbs up, this incredible challenge has an overarching purpose, to raise $1 million for SOWF.
Purpose: Raise $1 million for Special Operations Warrior Foundation
- 100% of funds go directly to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation
- Help raise awareness and support the military’s Special Operators and their families
- Serves as a tribute to showcase the remarkable skills and technical prowess of America’s PJs—the most elite combat search and rescue operators in the military
The Alpha 5 Project Team
Larry Connor
Team Captain
CMSgt. Brandon Daugherty
Jumper, Alpha 5 Lead
MSgt. Rob Dieguez
Jump Master, Advanced Free Fall Instructor
CMSgt. (Ret) Chris Lais
Jumper, Medic
MSgt. (Ret) Jimmy Petrolia
Jumper, Advanced Free Fall Instructor
Alpha 5 Project — In The News
The Purpose Behind The Mission
Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) provides full educations and additional educational opportunities, “cradle to career” (preschool – college), for the surviving children of Special Operations Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps) lost in the line of duty as well as children of all Medal of Honor Recipients. SOWF also provides immediate financial assistance to severely wounded, ill, and injured Special Operations Personnel — today and in the future.
Expanded eligibility to include active-duty Special Operations Personnel who have lost a spouse – this recognizes the critical role spouses play in the lives of our families. These children will now receive the same benefits as all other children in SOWF’s educational programs.
