New Record Set for Flag Free Fall
On Pearl Harbor Day, a skilled team of skydivers made a noteworthy achievement by deploying a huge 3,200-square-foot American flag during a free fall in Arizona. This feat nearly surpasses Libya’s recent record and sets a new standard for certified skydiving records, now recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Back on October 5, 2025, Libya had set a previous record by seamlessly executing a jump with the largest flag at that time over Benghazi. After seeing this impressive jump on social media, retired U.S. Army Ranger Jarrico Denman reached out to entrepreneur Jared Isaacman with a pretty ambitious idea: bring the record back to the U.S.
Denman mentioned to Fox News Digital that he first caught the Libyan jump on social media, sharing it with a caption asking, “Who’s trying to break this record?” That question sparked the initiative to take action.
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The duo of Denman and Isaacman brought together a specialized team that included experienced professionals from Skydive Arizona and Skydive Chicago, among them Hall of Fame skydiver Luke Nelson. Several veterans, including Senators Tim Sheehy, Steve Curtis, and Nick Kush, also took part in the endeavor.
The ambitious jump occurred on December 7, 2025, in Eloy, Arizona, a prime location for skydiving activities across the country. The choice of date, Denman explained, was based on the team’s availability.
Jumping from a Vietnam War-era Huey helicopter at nearly 10,000 feet, the team successfully unfurled the massive American flag, which was almost double the size of the Libyan flag.
Denman shared that no one had previously attempted to maneuver a flag of this size, which posed some “unknowns” and contributed to the jump’s thrilling—perhaps even scary—nature.
The team confirmed that this jump will hold certification and will be recognized by Guinness World Records.
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Due to the complexities and potential hazards involved in managing such a large flag in free fall, only the most seasoned skydivers were responsible for handling it mid-air. Denman explained the risks, noting that the flag’s significant weight of 170 pounds posed various challenges, requiring precautions that hadn’t been needed in previous jumps.
He also acknowledged the exceptional technical team that helped bring this project to life, stating, “It was my idea, but Steve Curtis was the main focus, and Stirling Böcklin designed the entire system from the ground up. I’m really proud of what our team achieved.”
While Denman, Isaacman, and Sheehy all partook in the jump, they did not control the flag itself during the descent. Ground personnel were on standby, ensuring that everyone and everything landed without a hitch. Sheehy reflected on the experience, emphasizing the teamwork and symbolic nature of the mission.
“I felt honored to be part of such an incredible team of veterans, SEALs, Army Rangers, and some of the best skydivers around,” he noted. “This record rightly belongs on American soil, and achieving it alongside this fantastic group of Patriots is a fitting way to kick off next year’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.”
