A series of rare, military-style, high-altitude skydives took place over Portland, TN on August 21, both during and after the day’s total eclipse. Accompanied by a team of elite jump professionals, an international group of adventurers made both tandem “HAHO” and “HALO” jumps, enjoying an unrivaled view of the sky and setting several records.
Accompanied by a team of elite jump professionals, three Canadians, including international businessman and philanthropist Frank Giustra, completed tandem HAHO jumps that kept them in the air nearly 30 minutes during the day’s total and partial eclipse. They became the first to ever make high-altitude tandem jumps during a total eclipse. They were fitted with special eclipse-viewing goggles and supplemental oxygen for their jumps.
“It was surreal to watch a dark shadow cast over the ground below us as a halo of light remained on the horizon,” said team member Frank Giustra, who skydived with friends, to celebrate his 60th birthday.