US Army Golden Knights Perform Precision Smoke And Canopy Maneuvers In North Carolina

Members of the U.S. Army Parachute Team carried out advanced aerial training maneuvers near Laurinburg in May 2026 as preparations continued for Freedom 250 events in Washington, D.C.

Sgt. 1st Class Michael Heath performed a smoke chain maneuver while flying a high-performance parachute with red, white, and blue smoke trailing beneath him. The layered aerial effect required precise canopy control, stable body positioning, and exact timing to maintain smoke separation and visual symmetry throughout the descent.

During separate training operations, Sgt. 1st Class Erik Dolores, Sgt. 1st Class Ben Hall, and Staff Sgt. Brandon Hexum executed a tri-by-side canopy formation while flying in close proximity to one another.

The maneuver required the parachutists to match speed, heading, and altitude with minimal separation between canopies, demonstrating the advanced timing, precision, and canopy control used during aerial demonstrations and canopy relative work performances.

The exercises were conducted as the Golden Knights prepared for upcoming Freedom 250 events in Washington, D.C.