AVIATION
The Golden Knights rely on a dedicated ground and air crew to maintain the aircraft used during performances and competitions. Currently, the Golden Knights utilize the C-31A Friendship, and the UV-18 Dehaviland Twin Otter.
C-31A TROOPSHIP
The C-31A F-ship is the primary support aircraft for the Golden Knights’ Black and Gold Demonstration teams. It is modified with two large doors that are used for jump operations. The Golden Knights have accumulated more than 27,000 hours of flight time on the C-31 since 1985, and it is widely considered one of the most reliable cargo and transport aircraft in the world.
UV-18 DEHAVILAND TWIN OTTER
The UV-18 Dehaviland is the primary support aircraft for the Golden Knights’ Competition and Tandem teams. This Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) aircraft is powered by two Pratt and Whitney PT6-27 turbine engines, and is capable of dispersing up to 14 parachutists very quickly from take off. The performance capabilities of the UV-18 Dehaviland allows for multiple training jumps to be conducted during the duty day, which allows the Golden Knights Competition teams to prepare more efficiently for national and worldwide competition.
MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT TEAMS
The Golden Knights support team is comprised of a maintenance officer NCOIC (Noncommission Officer In-Charge) and four enlisted military flight engineers. Soldiers are assigned to the Golden Knights maintenance and support teams only after a thorough review of their service records, performance history and the completion of an interview.
AVIATION TEAM MEMBERS
| Name | Home State | MOS | |
| SSG Matthew Anderson | Montana | 15U: CH-47 Helicopter Repairer | |
| CW3 Joseph Baker | Pennsylvania |
155A: Fixed-Wing Pilot | |
| Mr. Ken Breeden | Virginia | N/A: Fixed-Wing Pilot Maintenance Pilot | |
| Mr. David Clay | North Carolina | N/A: Fixed-Wing Pilot Instructor Pilot | |
| SGT Broderick DeArmas | Arizona | 15T: UH-60 Helicopter Repairer | |
| CW3 Troy Emig | Texas | 155A: Fixed-Wing Pilot | |
| CPT Robert Fryou | Arizona | 15C: Aviation All Source Intelligence Officer | |
| CW4 Felicia Marlow | Texas | 155A: Fixed-Wing Pilot | |
| SGT Kyle Pratt | North Carolina | 15T: UH-60 Helicopter Repairer | |
| SFC Dante Nevels | Ohio | 15P: Aviation Operation Specialist | |
| SFC Justin Runion | 15T: UH-60 Helicopter Repairer |
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| SGT Brian Proenneke | Colorado | 15U: CH-47 Helicopter Repairer | |
| CW3 Brian Rotante | New Jersey | 155A: Fixed-Wing Pilot | |
| Mr. Edward Schemper | Nebraska | 155A: Fixed-Wing Pilot | |
| CW2 Nolan Smith | Missouri | 155A: Fixed-Wing Pilot | |
| CTR Jimmy Carrier | Maintenance | ||
| CTR David Dailey |
Maintenance | ||
| CTR David Dellay |
Maintenance | ||
| CTR Jason Drozd | Maintenance | ||
| CTR James McLean | Maintenance | ||
| CTR Joanne Miatke | Maintenance | ||
| CTR George Navy |
Maintenance | ||
| CTR Frank Reiner |
Maintenance | ||
| CTR Michelle Reiner |
Maintenance | ||
| CTR Brandon Smith |
Maintenance |
