Memorial Day in Wisconsin

Black Team wrapped up a very productive and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend yesterday in Janesville, Wisconsin at the Southern Wisconsin Airfest. The weather was spectacular all weekend and all jumps went as planned.

The weekend kicked off Friday evening with a twilight jump (see previous post for details). It was a bit chilly at 12,500 feet but the view was great!

Saturday brought clear blue skies and humidity with temperatures near 90 degrees, but that didn’t dampen spirits in the least. The afternoon jump went well and the evening jump into the Hendricks Estate in Janesville came off without a hitch.

Sunday there was only one jump on the schedule and once again, great weather. A little more breeze than Saturday, and there were puffy clouds which provided a beautiful backdrop for photos.

The Team is enjoying a day of relaxation today in recognition of Memorial Day, then it’s back to work tomorrow.The Team will be performing jumps Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at local local high schools here in the Janesville area, then off to Eau Claire, Wisconsin Friday for another weekend airshow.

Story by SGT Rachel Medley; photos by SSG Ben Borger and SGT Rachel Medley

1. SSG Brandon Valle (top jumper) and SGT Brandie Phillips fly a two-stack canopy formation with the Wisconsin state flag over the Hendricks Estate (photo by SSG Borger)
2. After the jump, the team stopped to help a motorist whose RV got stuck in the parking lot. SSG Howie Sanborn supervised as the team pushed (photo by SGT Medley)
3. Sunday’s jump (photo by SSG Borger)
4. The Team flies a 7-man formation as SSG Borger flies camera (photo by SGT Medley)
5. SSG Howie Sanborn flies the Ranger flag and the smoke chain (photo by SGT Medley)
6. Sunday’s fly-by (photo by SGT Medley)
7. SGT Brandie Phillips shows a fan how to stow the pilot chute (photo by SGT Medley)
8. The team lines up to sign autographs for a very enthusiastic crowd (photo by SSG Borger)
9. SSG Brandon Valle (left), SSG Trevor Oppenborn, SGT Brandie Phillips, and SFC Arlyn Slade talking with fans (photo by SGT Medley)

Tagged as: Black Team