Eye-catching 6-direction parachute jump by US and British soldiers

The US and British armies have created the world's first six-man team to compete in a military parachute jump in Wiltshire, England. The move is typically performed by two people, deliberately steering their parachutes horizontally rather than the usual vertical glide.

The concept of a six-man squadron, known as “The Hex”, was first introduced in 2023 after experts from both services achieved a five-man squadron known as “Pentragram”, further enhancing their skills and coordination amid operational demands and limited training time.

According to the Ministry of Defence , the Hex in Wiltshire was completed after three parachute rehearsals to ensure all requirements were met. Despite unpredictable weather conditions, the US-UK military team deployed at an altitude of 14,000 feet (4,267 metres) along with two aerial photographers.

The Golden Knights and Red Devils, two elite parachute teams from the US and British armies, conducted the exercise together.

At approximately 9,700 feet (2,957 meters), the crew lined up vertically in coordination with precise flight parameters, and at 6,500 feet (1,981 meters), the Hex formation was fully executed.

"The successful execution of The Hex not only demonstrates advanced airmanship and engineering skills, but also shows what can be achieved through international military cooperation," said a US Army spokesman.

“For both teams, this moment marked more than just a performance – it marked a place in skydiving history.” The downplane—a maneuver that requires skydivers to connect in midair and fly their parachutes downward at high speed—has been considered one of the most difficult canopy formations in skydiving.

Increasing the number of participants from five to six required major improvements in coordination, timing, equipment strength, and canopy control.

They created some jaw-dropping moments. Dubbed The Hex, the unprecedented formation featured six skydivers connected by probes in a hexagonal configuration, descending in unison while performing an impressive high-speed display for spectators below at Netheravon Airfield in Wiltshire.

According to Red Devils Sgt. Cameron Clark, the idea for The Hex began after the team achieved a five-way landing plane, called the Pentagram, in 2023.

Inspired to push the boundaries, the Red Devils began experimenting with expanding their squad. But due to time constraints, high turnover due to combat missions and a tight training schedule, this vision remained out of reach.

That changed in 2025, when a joint training deployment with the U.S. Army Airborne Division provided an opportunity to share ideas. The two teams immediately began training together, starting with three-way formations and gradually moving up to five-way trials. Although the equipment failed during one exercise, the collaboration laid the groundwork for a successful trial.

At 14,000 feet, with six skydivers and two aerial photographers stepping out of the plane, the sky cleared in their favor. At 9,700 feet, the six parachute tubes were erected: the skydivers were lined up vertically, each connected by reinforced straps and controlling the canopy in coordination with those above and below. At 6,500 feet, the transition to a full six-point wing was complete.

The formation was flown by Corporal Stephen Handley, Corporal Cameron Clark and Corporal Ryan Moult of the Red Devils, along with Sergeant First Class Morgan George, Sergeant First Class Ryan O'Rourke and Sergeant First Class Nahu Ramirez of the Golden Knights. Ground photography was taken by Sergeant First Class Sara Garavuso; aerial photography was taken by Sergeant First Class Ollie Goss.