The United States Army Parachute Team (U.S.A.P.T.), the Golden Knights, celebrates 50-years as the Army's official demonstration team. TEAM HISTORY Story by: Cheryle Rivas The Strategic Army Command Parachute Team, STRAC, was formed in 1959 by "Aireborne" Soldiers from various military units.  Brigadier General Joseph Stilwell Jr. was responsible for gathering these Soldiers with the original intent to compete during the Cold War effort.  This new U.S. All-Army team swept the international competition circuit, in what was then the Soviet dominated sport of skydiving.  Later that year on November 1st, this newly formed team performed their first demonstration in Danville, Virginia. In 1961, the Department of Defense announced on June 15th, that the STRAC team would become the United States Army Parachute Team.  The team is one of three authorized DoD demonstration teams, along wiht the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels.  On October 15, 1962 the team earned the nickname the "Golden Knights."  Golden, signifying the Team's stellar reputation of bringing home gold medals; Knights, alluding to the fact that the Team had "conquered the skies," and portraying that members of the Team are champions of a set of ideals and principals. TEAM MISSION Missions of today's Army are still the same as 234 years ago when the Army was established to serve our nation.  The Team's mission is to conduct parachute demonstrations, tandem jumps and to compete in national and international competitions in support of the United States Army Accessions Command's tactical, operational and strategic missions; creating a greater propensity to serve in the U.S. Army, while connecting America with America's Army.  On order. the team will test and evaluate new parachuting equipment and techniques that assist in improving operations and safety for the military freefall teams.  The Team also provides direct support to Special Mission and Special Operations Units with personalized assistance in maintaining and improving military freefall infiltration skills and techniques during their pre-mission training.