WEST POINT, N.Y » As Hawaii’s football team entered the final phase of their walk-through practice at Michie Stadium yesterday, the players and coaches began to look skyward.

There, up in the sky … birds? Planes?

The superlative display was three cadet lieutenants parachuting from a helicopter.

As they floated, UH punter Alex Dunnachie mused: "Now that’s hang time."

Each of the parachutists landed safely onto Michie’s artificial surface. It was the longest touchdown of the day.

"I like to keep the hang time as long as possible," said Aaron Greer, the first parachutist. "It softens the landing."

The goal? "Just stay away from everything you don’t want to land on," Greer said.

The Warriors were in Michie as part of a final dress rehearsal for today’s road game against Army. They reserved an hour to go through plays, mostly involving special teams.

With about 10 minutes remaining, a helicopter circled high above the stadium. Then the giant scoreboard showed live videos that were being transmitted from the helicopter.

It then became apparent the parachutists were aiming for the field.

"I saw something like this two other times," UH assistant coach Mouse Davis said. "But those were for the start of games, not the end of practice."

The Warriors had to clear to the side while awaiting for the parachutists to land. Several UH staff members used their cell phones to video the descent.

"They do that kind of stuff as a distraction," said UH assistant coach Chris Tormey, whose special teams drill was suspended. "At Air Force, they have flyovers (during practices). Here, they fly in. They’re actually right on top of you. … I’ve never see anyone do it right before the end of a practice. I think it’s part of their routine. I don’t think it’s a coincidence they happen to parachute in during our practice time. It’s all how you take it."

And Tormey’s interpretation? "Each individual has to take it his own way, let’s put it that way," he said.

UH head coach Greg McMackin said the intent of yesterday’s walk-through was to get the players acclimated to the stadium.

To throw off "observers," several UH players swapped jerseys. Running back Alex Green, wearing quarterback Bryant Moniz’s orange No. 17 jersey, took snaps during one drill.

"It was a good workout," McMackin said. "We had a lot of energy."

He said the game’s noon kickoff coincides with UH’s schedule. The Warriors usually practice from 7 to 9 a.m. in Manoa. With the 6-hour time difference, McMackin said, "the game is around the same time we practice."