COLCHESTER paratroopers have competed for glory in an international military parachuting competition in America.

The international event, run by the Rhode Island Army National Guard, has allowed the paratroopers to hone their skills, whilst building relationships with airborne forces from across the globe.

Alongside paratroopers from seven other countries, more than 40 troops from the 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team’s in Colchester took part in Leapfest.

Competing both individually and as teams of four, paras jumped from Chinook helicopters at 1,500 feet, under US Army MC-6 parachutes.

The aim of the challenge was to land as close as possible to a defined point within the drop zone. Troops were judged on the time between touching the ground and reaching the target.

Specially trained and equipped to deploy by air, airborne forces play a vital role in national security. The event allowed airborne forces across the world's military to meet and bond.

Leapfest allowed troops from Colchesters 16 Air Assault BCT to build upon their existing relationships with NATO paratroopers from the US Army and Air Force.

The event also allowed them to build rapport with the Dutch 11 Luchtmobiele Brigade, the German Luftlandebrigade 1 ‘Saarland’, and the Italian Brigata Parachutisti ‘Folgore’.

The troops were also able to build new bonds with paratroopers from Ecuador, New Zealand, and South Africa.

Major Aidy Mortimore, of 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team, said: “Leapfest is a great opportunity to develop our parachuting skills and build links with airborne forces from across the world, particularly our NATO allies.

“We’ve trained on a different parachute system and jumped from helicopters, which is not a UK capability, and that has broadened our skills and ability to operate with our allies.

“The real benefit of Leapfest is about talking to paratroopers from other armies to build on the existing relationships between us.

“We've been able to develop our understanding of each other and can learn from how we all approach the same job in a slightly different way.”