JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
In 1962, seven U.S. Air Force Academy cadets took up
parachute jumping and laid the groundwork for the formation of the academy’s
first aerial demonstration and competition teams.
On their own time and at their own expense, the cadets
performed in several demonstrations and competition jumps, including a
first-place finish at a collegiate contest in Wisconsin. Two years later, the
parachutists were allowed to form their own club at the Air Force Academy,
which allowed them to make jumps on the academy site in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Today, the U.S. Air Force Parachute Team Wings of Blue
continues the lineage and spirit of those cadets 53 years ago who took it upon
themselves to test the skies and go beyond their limits.
The Wings of Blue will put their aerial demonstration skills
on display to the public at the Joint Base San Antonio Air Show and Open House
Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph.
Consisting of 100 members from around the Air Force,
including jumpers and support staff, Wings of Blue does about 50 performances a
year in the U.S. and, in some instances, overseas, said Steve Hoehn, Wings of
Blue demonstration coordinator.
The parachute unit makes jumps at major sporting events such
as the Orange Bowl and the national collegiate football championship game and
performs demonstrations at events in Colorado Springs, Colo., from schools to
Boy Scouting functions to Air Force Academy football games.
Jumpers in the Wings of Blue consist of Air Force Academy
cadets, active duty Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air Force civil service.
Each year in August, 25 new parachutists, who are Air Force
Academy cadets, are selected for the Wings of Green, a one-year training
program that allows them to become eligible to join the Wings of Blue, Hoehn
said. The cadets that are selected to the Wings of Green are experienced
parachute jumpers who have completed the basic freefall parachute course at the
academy and earned their basic jump wings.
Hoehn said the 25 who are selected to the Wings of Green are
among hundreds of cadets who apply for a spot on the team. After acceptence
into the Wings of Green, the cadets are trained to become instructors and jump
masters for the team.
The parachute team members come from all specialized jobs
within the Air Force, some of whom have served in deployments in Iraq and
Afghanistan, Hoehn said.
“They represent professionalism and team spirit,” Hoehn
said.
Wings of Blue will perform various free falling parachute
demonstrations and formations at the JBSA Air Show and Open House. Starting
from 11,000 feet in the air, the demonstration will include a patriotic theme
to begin the performance, an 800 square-foot American flag held by the jumpers,
the playing of the national anthem and colorful smoke coming from canisters
attached to the jumpers.
After their performance is completed, members of the Wings
of Blue will be available for autographs and will answer questions about the
parachute team, the Air Force and the Air Force Academy.