Army’s first all-female parachute display

Six ladies from across the Army have taken part in the British Army’s first ever all-female parachute display at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst’s STEM Female Focus Day.

As the only qualified female display jumpmaster in the Army, Capt Amii Calway, RLC Silver Stars Army Parachute Display Team (APDT) jumpmaster, had the honour of leading the team.

The team also included Capt Lauren Barr, REME Lightning Bolts APDT; Capt Laura Wealsby ACG; Sgt Sue Nuttall, REME Lightning Bolts APDT; Sgt Liz Warner, ACG, DZ control (ground to air comms with pilot); and Cpl Stacey Briggs, Red Devils APDT, commentary.

“This momentous event was well over a year in the making,” Capt Calway said. ” At the request of Regional Command, the first attempt to field an all-female display team was made in Sep 18 but it sadly culminated in disappointment, with the aircraft being unable to take off thanks to the ever-unreliable British weather.”

“It’s an accolade to be hugely proud of but one that I could not boast without the professional display parachutists in my team or without the support of the four APDTs; The RLC Silver Stars, The REME Lightning Bolts, The PWRR Tigers and The Red Devils.”

As team leader (des), on behalf of The RLC Silver Stars Team Leader, Capt Calway was responsible for trawling the skydiving population for a team and then finding the time to get the team together for training.

The team are now working on a new name and will be looking at more opportunities to conduct more displays next season.

If you would like to find out more about the team, display parachuting or become a skydiver, contact the team on social media search Skydive RLC.