‘Wings of Blue’ soars into National Scout Jamboree

Photo By Master Sgt. Andrew Lee | U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Scott Drinkard (left) and U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kenny Kendrick, both members of the U.S. Air Force Academy Wings of Blue Jump Team, look out of a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter as Sergeant Kendrick tosses a streamer to check wind conditions before a jump July 27. The Wings of Blue Parachute Team operates as the 98th Flying Training Squadron at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., and performed in support of the Boy Scouts of America’s 2010 National Scout Jamboree.  

FORT A.P. HILL, VA, UNITED STATES

07.27.2010

Story by Airman 1st Class Jason Brown 

Joint Task Force - National Scout Jamboree

FORT A.P. HILL, Va. – Under beautiful blue skies, eight parachutists from the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Wings of Blue Parachute Team descended into the Southern Region arena at the Boy Scouts of America’s 2010 National Scout Jamboree July 27.

A U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter transported the team members to altitudes in excess of 8,000 feet before they jumped, using colored smoke to aid spectators in seeing the performance. A master of ceremonies narrated the performance, announcing the names of each parachutist as he landed in front of the arena stage.

Following the show, large crowds of excited fans, predominantly Boy Scouts, gathered around to ask questions and take photos with team members, including team commander U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Scott Drinkard.

“The team was approached six months ago to support the Jamboree, and are proud to be able to perform,” said Drinkard, a veteran of nearly 1,500 jumps. “The military and the Boy Scouts share a lot of the same values. This is a great place for us to meet a great group of patriotic young men and women and show them what the military is all about.”

Academy Cadet 2nd Class Jesse Galt, who has made 618 jumps in the past two years, called the show a “great public affairs venue for the Academy and the Air Force as a whole,” giving the audience the opportunity to experience a unique element of the military.

Both Drinkard and Galt are BSA alumni, each achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, the organizations’ highest rank. The ability to be able to perform before thousands of Scouts and leaders at their signature event is “a dream come true,” said Colonel Drinkard.

“I never attended a Jamboree as a Scout. We made some awesome trips, but this event is absolutely amazing,” he added. “It’s an honor to be able to leave a lasting impression on these young people at this Jamboree.”

The Wings of Blue Parachute Team operates as the 98th Flying Training Squadron at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. Since 1967, the cadets have dominated national intercollegiate parachuting, winning 21 national championships. The team performs approximately 50 demonstrations annually, travelling around the world to perform in air shows and competitions.

Along with the Wings of Blue, the Joint Task Force-National Scout Jamboree arranged for bands from all five branches of the Armed Forces to entertain the Boy Scouts at the 10-day long Jamboree.

• Date Taken: 07.27.2010
• Date Posted: 07.29.2010 02:36
• Story ID: 53595
• Location: FORT A.P. HILL, VA, US