Gulfport mayor jumps with Leap Frogs

Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes took a 10,000 foot leap of faith this morning with the Navy Leap Frogs. News 25’s Laurene Callander gives us a behind the scenes look at the jump.
Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes was all smiles before boarding one of the Flying Jennies at the Air Force Reserves 403rd Wing at Keesler, but he was not going for a tour of the plane. He was getting ready to jump out of it from 10,000 feet in the air. “He’s going to have to pry my hands from the door when we go out,” said Mayor Hewes.
After walking through the jump, it was time for lift off. Mayor Hewes was joined by six members of the Leap Frogs team as they soared over South Mississippi skies, landing in Jones Park. “When you go over that edge, it’s like a blast of air. You’re really just kind of taking everything in. First you’re in the airplane then you’re not and you’re just in the great wide open, but it was beautiful,” said Mayor Hewes.
Retired Navy Seal Jim Woods said, “He was actually giving me pointers of where the islands were and where he’s done some good fishing and he pointed out city hall and we had a really good time.”
A once in a lifetime opportunity thanks to Mississippi Gulf Coast Navy Week, South Mississippi was one of 15 communities in the nation to be selected in the outreach program.
You couldn’t ask to be in better hands when jumping out of a plane than with the Navy Leap Frogs. “I didn’t worry one time. These guys are great to be around. They instill a lot of confidence in you and it makes you proud to know them,” said Mayor Hewes.
“It’s so beautiful down here in Mississippi. The weather couldn’t be any better. It was absolutely gorgeous. We had a good view once we got rid of the airplane. The view was spectacular. I think the mayor really enjoyed his jump,” said Woods.