ELOY, Ariz. –
The Air Force Parachute Team, the Wings of Blue, finished their illustrious competition year at the National Collegiate Parachute Competition, winning 46 medals and setting five national collegiate records.
The National Collegiate Parachute Competition, held in Eloy, Ariz. from December 2, 2012 to January 2, 2013, set the stage for the stellar performance by the Wings of Blue. The team took home 13 gold, 18 silver and 15 bronze medals.
The Air Force Legacy team set a record for most points ever scored in a single round of four-way competition skydiving and, the Bill Wengers, part of the Air Force Wild team, set two records with his build in speed in the 6-way. Cadet 1st Class Dustin Weeks, who won the Outstanding Competitor Award, set the record for best average score in Sport Accuracy and most consecutive dead-centers in the same category, with four dead-centers.
The Wings of Green, the Wings of Blue's training team, augmented the team during the competition, allowing this level of success to continue for many years to come.
"The Wings of Green made a commitment to take things to a whole different level," said Master Sgt. Bryan Stokes, 98th FTS superintendent. "Their work ethic and dedication was the best I've ever seen."
The Wings of Blue are operated by the 98th Flying Training Squadron at the U.S. Air Force Academy and is comprised of 75 Air Force Academy cadets and more than 36 staff members. Each year the team performs more than 40 nationwide demonstrations to an estimated combined audience of 12 million.
In addition to overseeing the Wings of Blue, the 98th FTS operates the Air Force's most prolific parachute program executing 20,000 jumps and 3,500 UV-18B flight hours each year. The program allows more than 800 students per year the opportunity to earn their basic parachutist badge.
"Between the success at nationals and the team's recent performances at the Buffalo Wild Wings, Armed Forces and Orange Bowls, I couldn't be prouder of the cadets and staff that comprise the Air Force Parachute Team," said Lt. Col. Sean McLay, who commands the 98th FTS, which is responsible for the Wings of Blue.