Source Credit: Khaleej TImes
Lieutenant Al Shehhi Ahmed is a base jumper, skydiver, and officer in the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). He made history by jumping off the Burj Khalifa in Dubai while wearing his Emirati kandura. The 36-year-old was one of 31 athletes picked for the Exit139 base-jumping event. This event happened over two days, and for Al Shehhi, it was a proud time not only for him but also for other Emiratis as he represented the UAE from the tallest building in the world.
This jump from Burj Khalifa was special for Lt Al Shehhi, who had done skydives in his kandura before but never from such a high place. He shared his pride by saying, “Jumping from the world’s tallest building in our national dress was a moment of pride, not just for me, but for every Emirati.” The jump also helped him represent his workplace, the GDRFA, making it an even better experience. Lt Al Shehhi did 14 jumps in total over the two days, receiving strong support from his superiors and fellow participants.
The jump was carefully planned, with a ramp designed for a safe landing from Burj Khalifa. At first, the winds were strong, but the second day had good weather for the jump. The drop took less than a minute, featuring ten seconds of freefall, followed by a safe landing. Lt Al Shehhi said the freefall feeling above Dubai was unique, saying, “It’s different from a plane or helicopter ride. You feel the wind, and a strong sense of pride.”
