FORT BRAGG, N.C. - One of the Department of Defense recognized aerial demonstration teams celebrates 50-years.

The U.S. Army Parachute Team, the Golden Knights, has set March 16, as the kick-off date for the team's 50-year anniversary. The Golden Knights, the Army's official parachute demonstration team, was formed in 1959 as a strategic army corps team. Their sole purpose was to compete and win against the Soviet Block countries in international competition. In 1961 the Team was selected as one of three Department of Defense authorized aerial demonstration teams, along with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.

Former team members, including original members from 1959, will be attending the kick-off event. Other invited guests include dignitaries, general officers, and friends of the team. Former NBA star Karl Malone is one of the many invited guests planning on attending. Malone befriended the team several years ago and even did a tandem jump with them in 2008.

Over the 50 years, the team's mission has evolved to (1) Demonstrate Army capabilities, (2) Demonstrate the Warrior Ethos through national and international parachuting competition, and (3) to conduct research and development on the military aspect of free-fall parachuting.

The celebration kick-off will begin at 10 a.m. at the team's headquarters on Fort Bragg. Media interested in covering the event should call 910.907.3208/910.396.7423.

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