Black Team Jumps into Yankee Stadium

Black Team jumped into Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY Saturday to 30,000 screaming fans. The jump, which opened the second game of a three-game series against the Houston Astros, was part of the Yankees’ military appreciation weekend. Also present for the opening ceremonies were several Special Forces Soldiers who were wounded overseas while in support of the War on Terrorism in the Middle East.

The New York Yankees and the Special Operations Warrior Foundation work together every June to host the military appreciation weekend to honor the hundreds of thousands of Soldiers who put their lives on the line daily to preserve the freedoms all Americans enjoy. The Yankees open up a special press box with food and drinks for the Soldiers and families who participate in the ceremony, where they can enjoy the game and relax.

The day dawned cloudy and hazy, casting uncertainty on whether the jump would go as planned. As the morning wore on, the cloud layer lifted slightly and the aircraft was able to get to the jump altitude of 2500 feet with no issues. The haze did persist, however, and the iconic New York City skyline was barely visible in the background.

SSG Trevor Oppenborn jumped out first to narrate, then the rest of the jumpers exited on the next pass. SSG Brandon Valle and SGT Brandie Phillips put together some canopy relative work at the top of the stack, proudly flying the New York Yankees’ flag under the Black and Gold canopies. The crowd was ecstatic, and the roaring cheers could be heard well above 1000 feet!

Immediately after landing, the jumpers formed the signature Golden Knights team lineup directly in front of home plate, as SSG Oppenborn introduced them to the crowd one by one. Country music star Kenny Thomas, former Army Ranger, sang the National Anthem and Lieutenant General Francis H. Kearny, III, the Special Operations Command Deputy Commander, threw the first pitch and the game started.

The jumpers made their way up to the press box and enjoyed the rest of the game with friends and family. Much to the chagrin of SSG Oppenborn, a Houston native, the Yanks beat the Astros with plenty of room to spare!

Story by SGT Rachel Medley; photos by SGT Rachel Medley and Ms. Donna Dixon

1. Black Team stands in front of home plate as they are introduced to the fans (photo by Donna Dixon)

2. Coming into the stadium with a two-stack on top (photo by Donna Dixon)

3. SSG Brandon Valle (top jumper) and SGT Brandie Phillips fly a two-stack over Yankee Stadium (photo by SGT Medley)

4. Valle and Phillips fly the two-stack with the East River, Harlem, and the Manhattan skyline in the background (photo by SGT Medley)

5. Black Team pauses for a photo with Yankees manager Joe Girardi (photo by Donna Dixon)