Black Team in Indiana and Illinois

SSG Brandon Valle (top) and SFC Will Fleming fly the Black Team colors in a two-stack over the Elkhart County Fair (photo by SGT Rachel Medley)

Black Demonstration Team earned their money this last weekend, traveling to two mid-west cities and putting on a great show at each. The weekend destination was Rockford, IL for the Rockford Airfest, but the Team made a one day/one night stopover in Goshen, IN on the way to jump into the Elkhart County Fair.

SGT Tylor Wheeler gives a crisp salute as he exits the C-31 Troopship over Rockford Airfest (photo by SGT Rachel Medley)

Weather cooperated on all but one of the six total jumps for the trip, but being grounded because of low clouds didn’t slow Black Team down in the least. As soon as the weather decision was made not to jump (cloud cover was at only 700 feet, well below the required minimum of 2000 feet), the Team donned their black flight suits and descended on the air show crowd in buddy teams, handing out and signing  brochures, taking pictures with fans, and making sure everyone knew that the second jump of the day looked promising and encouraging air show fans to stick around. Sure enough, the weather improved and Black Team was able to live up to their promise, putting on a full show for the crowd.

Black Team flies a four-way formation over the Elkhart County Fair (photo by SGT Rachel Medley)

The Elkhart County Fairgrounds in Goshen, IN, was packed to capacity Thursday for the biggest event of the fair: the tractor pull! The Team performed two jumps and landed right in the middle of the track amongst countless souped-up tractors and huge trucks. The crowd was ecstatic and their cheers could be heard clearly, even over the roar of Hemis and John Deeres revving up for the pull.

SSG Derrick Coleman, SFC Arlyn Slade, and SSG Todd Beckel exit the aircraft in a three-way base over Rockford Airfest(photo by SGT Rachel Medley)

SFC Arlyn Slade shows a younster at Rockford Airfest how to pack the parachute(photo by SGT Rachel Medley)

Black Team signs autographs after the first jump Sunday for a crowd of enthusiastic fans (photo by SGT Rachel Medley)

The Team is generally well-received wherever they go, but always particularly in the mid-west and this weekend was no exception. The Team hopes to return for both events next year, if scheduling permits.