Story by Tommy Papatango

Starhopp D-Day catered a week long skydiving demo “innhopp” adventure in Normandy, France, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in June 1944, during World War 2.


Team Starhopp after landing at UNESCO World Heritage Site Mount Saint Michel.

The pace was one demo jump a day to allow for enough time for historical sightseeing and gastronomical explorations.
A core group from Skydive City teamed up with Skydive Pepperell and two notorious rogue agents Dr Bob and JumpinJoe, under the leadership of A-team Athlete Tommy Papatango. It began with Omaha Beach landings by the Charles N. Shay Indian Monument, followed by a soccer field demo during a veteran ceremony the next day. Our mid week jump was into UNESCO World Heritage Site Mont Saint Michel, a medieval city island under the patronage of Saint Michel, the patron saint of parachutists and skydivers. On Saturday, we brought 13 flags into the historic site of a RCAF (Royal Canadian Air-force) Command Center, to honor foreign delegations attending the ceremony. Our final and milestone jump was at the heart of Omaha Beach, in St Laurent Sur Mer, by the Braves Monument. Skydivers from all over France joined forces to achieve the milestone of “80 skydivers for the 80th anniversary of D-Day”.


A-Team Tommy Papatango flies the NZ Flag into a WW2 Ceremony, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.


JumpinJoe would gladly give 2 thumbs up if he could after landing at UNESCO World Heritage Site Mount St Michel during Starhopp D-Day 2024.


Starhopp Load 1, after landing on the soccer field of the city of Bretteville s/Odon to attend a Veteran Ceremony, during Starhopp D-Day 2024.


Part of Team Starhopp builds a star formation over Omaha Beach, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, during Starhopp D-Day 2024.


Ken Ates brings in the French color on Omaha Beach under his trusted Aerodyne Triathlon, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, during Starhopp D-Day 2024.


Starhopper Regis Verbiguié sports his Icon Container after landing on Omaha Beach to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, during Starhopp D-Day 2024.


7000 jumps strong Dr. Bob Domeier trusts his Pilot to get him safely to Omaha Beach, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, during Starhopp D-Day 2024.


“When you are jumping a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can trust that your Aerodyne Pilot will put you straight on target.” - A-team Tommy Papatango


Starhopper Regis Verbiguie (Icon Container) and A-Team Tommy Papatango trailing a 60FT Streamer over Omaha Beach, celebrating the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France, during Starhopp D-Day 2024.

You can explore more about event and watch event videos on Starhoop website: