FAIRBORN — The public is invited to witness the final inflation of the Alpha 5 balloon at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force beginning at 7 a.m. on June 22.
In September 2023, Entrepreneur Larry Connor led a team of four U.S. Air Force Pararescue Specialists to setting a new Guinness World Record for the highest HALO (high altitude, low opening) skydiving formation. The record was set at 38,139 feet.
The Alpha 5 Project created a purpose for the world record, and has helped raise more than $1 million for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, a nonprofit organization that assists the families of American Special Operations personnel that were killed in the line of duty.
The balloon stands at 115 feet tall, and from 7-8 a.m. Saturday morning, museum visitors will get the chance to see the fully inflated balloon and meet the team who set the skydiving world record. Following the final inflation the Alpha 5 balloon will be donated to the museum’s collection.
Like most museum events, it will be free and open to the public. The inflation of the balloon is weather dependant, however, and any updates will be posted to the museum’s social media and website. The balloon’s inflation will take place at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, located at 1100 Spaatz Street. The museum regularly opens at 9 a.m. daily, but because of this event, will open an hour early at 8 a.m. for guests to stop in after the balloon is donated.
Contact Ethan Charles at 937-502-4532.
