News>Wings of Blue plans bowl game jumps, competition
Photos
Air Force Academy cadets with the Air Force Wings of Blue Parachute Competition Team perform at the U.S. Parachuting Association’s national championships in Eloy, Ariz., Nov. 3. The “Air Force Intrepid” team took first place in the four-person intermediate free-flying event. (U.S. Air Force Photo)
Cadet 1st Class Josh LeMair, a member of the Air Force Wings of Blue Parachute Competition Team, nails a classic accuracy jump in the U.S. Parachute Association's National Collegiate Parachuting Championships, which were held in Eloy, Ariz., from Dec. 30, 2010, to Jan. 1, 2011. Wings of Blue teams won gold in four-way open formation skydiving, two-way vertical formation skydiving, intermediate and masters sport accuracy, intermediate and masters classic accuracy and team classic accuracy. (Courtesy photo/Niklas Daniel)
U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 3rd Class Thomas Baker departs a Twin-Otter jump plane from 4500 feet above the academy on June 27 during Airmanship 490, Basic Parachuting, an airmanship program where cadets earn their basic jump wings after successfully completing five free-fall jumps. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt Uriah Orland)
Third-class cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy receive parachute training June 27 during Airmanship 490, Basic Parachuting, an airmanship program where cadets earn their basic jump wings after successfully completing five free-fall jumps. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt Uriah Orland)
12/7/2011 - U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- One Air Force Academy team has invitations to three college football bowl games and competes for a national collegiate championship later this month.
The Air Force Academy's Wings of Blue parachuting team will jump into the Military Bowl on Dec. 28, the Insight Bowl on Dec. 30, and the Orange Bowl on Jan. 4.
Other members of the Wings of Blue will compete Dec. 28 - Jan. 2 in the National Collegiate Parachuting Championships in Eloy, Arizona. For the parachuting competition, cadets will test their freefall acrobatics and landing accuracy. In freefall, teams of four and six-person cadets perform the maximum number of aerial acrobatics together during 45 seconds of freefall. For the accuracy competition, parachutists try to land on the center of a target the size of a garbage can lid, with results measured in millimeters.
Members of the Wings of Blue will be available Dec. 8 at 9 a.m. to discuss both the bowl game jumps and the parachuting competition.
The Air Force Academy makes more than 20,000 parachute jumps per year, and trains about 700 cadets in basic freefall parachuting annually.
Cadet parachuting at the Academy began in 1963 when interested cadets formed a recreational club. The basic Academy course evolved from that original club into today's program. The objectives of the parachute program are threefold: train cadets in basic free-fall parachuting, represent the Academy at competitions and demonstrations, and provide a leadership laboratory and motivational experience for cadets.
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NOTE: Media wishing to attend should call the Public Affairs office at 719-333-7593 to arrange access and escort.
