In a culmination of a four-year monumental undertaking, the Red Bull Air Force has successfully executed a world-first wingsuit flight in the near-total darkness of the Alaskan wilderness, illuminated by the ethereal glow of the Northern Lights. This extraordinary feat, realized under extreme -40°F conditions from an altitude of 8,000 feet, simultaneously marked the completion of Jeff Provenzano’s ambitious skydiving journey across all fifty U.S. states and celebrated the remarkable return to flight of Jon DeVore, the Red Bull Air Force captain, who defied grim medical prognoses following a severe spinal cord injury in 2021. The project, captured by Red Bull Air Force photographer Mike Brewer with support from renowned photographer Michael Clark, pushed the boundaries of aerial performance, technical imaging, and human resilience in one of Earth’s most challenging and unpredictable environments.
A Four-Year Vision Takes Flight
The seeds of this audacious project were sown four years ago, born from a shared vision to combine the raw majesty of the Alaskan aurora borealis with the cutting-edge precision of wingsuit flight. This wasn’t merely a skydiving stunt; it was an intricate ballet of logistics, meteorology, human endurance, and photographic innovation. The Red Bull Air Force, renowned globally for its elite team of aerial athletes who continually redefine the limits of human flight, identified Alaska as the ultimate stage for such an endeavor. The state, often dubbed "The Last Frontier," presented unparalleled challenges: extreme cold, unpredictable weather patterns, remote locations, and the elusive nature of the aurora itself. Over the years, multiple attempts were meticulously planned, only to be thwarted by adverse conditions, underscoring the immense difficulty and the sheer dedication required by the team.
The project’s successful conclusion represents not just a triumph of execution but also a testament to unwavering commitment. The core team comprised Jeff Provenzano, a professional skydiver with nearly two decades of association with Red Bull, whose background in art and skateboarding instilled in him a unique perspective on creative expression through movement; Jon DeVore, the seasoned captain of the RBAF team since 1999, an Alaskan native whose life is dedicated to the pursuit of human flight; and Mike Brewer, a world champion skydiver with approximately 6,000 jumps, whose passion for film and photography drives him to capture novel aerial experiences. Their combined expertise and mutual trust were indispensable in navigating the myriad complexities of the mission.
Provenzano’s 50-State Skydiving Odyssey Concludes
For Jeff Provenzano, the Alaskan jump held profound personal significance beyond its inherent danger and technical difficulty. It marked the culmination of his monumental quest to skydive in all fifty U.S. states. This journey, initially a distant dream, gradually transformed into a tangible goal as he progressed through the continental states. As he entered the "40s," the reality of completing the mission galvanized him. The final ten states, particularly those lacking established drop zones or presenting significant logistical hurdles, demanded meticulous planning and unwavering intention. Alaska, with its vast, untamed wilderness and almost prehistoric grandeur, provided an unequivocally fitting finale to this decades-long ambition.
Provenzano describes the experience as reinforcing the belief that "anything is possible." His path, from an art school student discovering skydiving outside New York City to a professional athlete making the life-defining move to Skydive Arizona with "no money, no real plan," exemplifies the spirit of relentless pursuit. Finishing in Alaska, his long-time friend and teammate Jon DeVore’s home state, added a layer of camaraderie and emotional depth to this already historic achievement.
DeVore’s Inspiring Comeback: Defying the Odds
Perhaps the most poignant narrative woven into the fabric of this Alaskan expedition is that of Jon DeVore’s return to the skies. In 2021, DeVore suffered a severe spinal cord injury that doctors initially believed would not only end his illustrious career as an aerial athlete but potentially rob him of his ability to walk. The road to recovery from such an injury is fraught with immense physical pain, psychological challenges, and often, the acceptance of profound limitations. However, DeVore, a figure synonymous with the Red Bull Air Force and human flight, refused to be defined by his injury.
His recovery was a testament to sheer willpower, meticulous rehabilitation, and the unwavering support of his inner circle. DeVore describes his journey as a series of "baby steps," starting with the most fundamental goal of staying alive, then progressing to leaving his hospital bed, transitioning from a wheelchair to walking, and ultimately, making his first jump post-injury. This initial leap back into the air served as a powerful affirmation, solidifying his belief that he could overcome almost anything.
Provenzano’s steadfast declaration that he would not attempt the Alaska project without DeVore provided a crucial source of motivation during the darkest periods of his recovery. This pledge transformed the project from merely a technical challenge into a profound symbol of friendship and solidarity. As Provenzano reflected, "Having something out there to come back to, and knowing your people are with you, that matters. For me, it made the project more than just a jump. It became about showing up for a friend and it gave everything more meaning." DeVore’s presence on the final flight was not just a participation; it was a powerful statement about the triumph of the human spirit over adversity, inspiring countless individuals facing their own battles.
The Unprecedented Alaskan Flight: A Symphony of Precision and Resilience
The wingsuit flight itself was an exercise in extreme precision under the most demanding conditions imaginable. Dropping from 8,000 feet into near-total darkness, where temperatures plummeted to -40°F, presented a multi-faceted challenge. The extreme cold necessitated multiple thermal layers and specialized gear, which in turn restricted mobility and added bulk to the wingsuits, making agile flight more difficult. The absence of visual references in the dark, save for the faint glow of the aurora and the limited lights integrated into their suits, amplified the difficulty. Provenzano noted, "I could barely see Jon in front of me." This stark reality contrasts sharply with the vibrant images captured by the cameras, which significantly enhance the aurora’s presence through technical wizardry.
The team’s ability to maintain a rock-solid formation while flying at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour was paramount, especially for the photographic aspect. Any twitch or deviation could compromise the long-exposure shots. This demanded an unparalleled level of aerial control and spatial awareness from Provenzano and DeVore, pushing their precision to the "absolute limit," as Provenzano described it.
Pioneering Aerial Photography Under the Aurora
The photographic component of the project, led by Mike Brewer with key assistance from Michael Clark, was arguably as groundbreaking as the flight itself. Capturing a fast-moving subject like a wingsuiter against a dim, shifting aurora in near-darkness posed an "exposure nightmare." Brewer, a seasoned aerial photographer, faced his most technically challenging assignment to date.
The core challenge lay in the inherent conflict between capturing the faint aurora and freezing the motion of the high-speed wingsuiters. To render the aurora visible, extremely slow shutter speeds—approximately 800 times slower than typical sports photography—were required. However, such speeds would blur the athletes into streaks of light. The ingenious solution involved using a quick flash at the very end of the long exposure. This allowed the camera to gather enough light from the aurora over time, while the brief, intense flash illuminated Provenzano and DeVore for a sharp, crisp image at the decisive moment. This technique, while brilliant, demanded perfect synchronization and an understanding of light dynamics in an unprecedented aerial context.
Further complicating Brewer’s task was the need to frame the shot without a traditional viewfinder. In the pitch black and buffeted by 100 mph winds, his usual polarized crosshair was useless. He relied entirely on muscle memory and instinct to position his helmet-mounted camera smoothly, adjusting settings up until the final moments before boarding the helicopter. The malfunction of his own suit lights during the jump added another layer of difficulty, reducing his subjects to "scarcely more than silhouettes against the dim aurora." It was only in the brief flicker of his camera flash that he could momentarily see them "frozen, clear as day," providing a vital, albeit fleeting, visual confirmation.
Mindset and Miracles: DeVore’s Philosophy of Recovery
Jon DeVore’s recovery journey offers profound lessons on the power of mindset and the importance of a supportive community. When confronted with the dire predictions from medical professionals—"you’ll never walk again, you’ll never skydive again"—DeVore consciously chose to reject the negativity. His advice to anyone facing a major injury is unequivocal: "Surround yourself with people that believe in you and believe in miracles! … Your mind is a powerful tool!!" He emphasizes that believing the negative narratives can become a self-fulfilling prophecy, highlighting the critical role of positive reinforcement and self-belief in the arduous process of rehabilitation. His ability to not only walk but to return to the demanding world of professional skydiving, performing a world-first wingsuit jump, stands as a living testament to his philosophy.
Planning for the "One-Shot Moment"
Mike Brewer’s approach to planning for such a high-stakes, "one-shot" moment exemplifies meticulous preparation and mental fortitude. He focused on controlling every conceivable variable before the jump, from the flight path and camera operations to layering strategies for the extreme cold. By the time he exited the helicopter, his focus narrowed to the immediate task: flying in formation, framing his teammates against the aurora, and maintaining absolute stillness with his head-mounted camera. His primal "Whoooooo!" captured on video reflected the immense relief and exhilaration of realizing they were successfully executing the impossible.
Unexpected Awesomeness and Future Horizons
Even amidst the intense focus and technical demands, moments of unexpected awe broke through. Brewer found an unexpected bonus in his camera flash, which, despite his own suit lights malfunctioning, offered fleeting, sharp glimpses of his teammates against the dark expanse. Provenzano, on the final jump, achieved a state of relaxed awareness, allowing him to truly "take a second in the air and look around," experiencing the raw beauty of the Northern Lights firsthand, rather than just executing a maneuver. This ability to transcend the technical and connect with the profound beauty of the moment underscored the deeply personal rewards of the project.
Looking ahead, the Red Bull Air Force team has a busy year planned, with air shows, demonstrations at high-profile events like F1 and the Hard Rock, and the rollout of a completely new air show routine. On a personal level, both Provenzano and DeVore hinted at more ambitious projects on the horizon. Provenzano, while keeping details under wraps, affirmed that "there’s definitely more coming." DeVore expressed a desire to "explore more unique locations that showcase the beauty of the planet and our amazing sport," even daring to dream of a "first flight down Denali," signaling a continued pursuit of pioneering aerial endeavors.
In the final assessment, this Alaskan expedition transcends a mere extreme sports stunt. It represents a powerful confluence of human ingenuity, unwavering dedication, and profound personal triumph. It demanded the precise alignment of environmental conditions, technological innovation, and exceptional human skill. From the four-year vision to the singular window of opportunity, the Red Bull Air Force team, through impeccable timing, profound trust, and flawless execution, not only captured a never-before-seen aerial moment but also redefined the boundaries of what is achievable in the coldest, darkest reaches of our planet. It was, as DeVore succinctly put it, a triumph of "TEAM," and as Provenzano playfully yet profoundly declared, "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."
