Tandem Team Sets Night on Fire over Cincinnati Reds Game #ArmyStrong

Last night members of the Tandem Team showed off the night pyrotechnics to the City of Cincinnati and Reds fans as they jumped into the Great American Ball Park. This jump was a little different than we are used to because the jump was scheduled for the end of the game as opposed to the opening ceremony. As you can imagine, know one really knows when a baseball game will end. However, the Team was fired up and by the 7th inning stretch, the Golden Knight UV-18 Twin Otter was over head throwing wind drift indicators into the night sky. One comment from spectators was “that must be your plane, not too many fly over a stadium these days”.  While the fans watched the game, Tandem Team circled above the stadium at 4000 feet.

 

The Cincinnati Reds were down by 2 but started a comeback in the 8th inning. Now that would be great for them to win, however the Tandem Team had been circling over head for almost an hour because of pitcher changes and timeouts. Pilots CW4 Steven Lowell and CW4 Helaine Moesner made sure there was plenty fuel in the event the game went into extra innings. At the top of the 9th the Reds held the St Louis Cardinals and then began their last chance for a win. With a few chances to tie up the game and a possible win with runners on base, the St. Louis Cardinals held off the Reds to win the game.

 

As the umpires and players exited the field the ground crew jumped into action with only a few minutes to setup and call in the Twin Otter for a hot target. While the crowd was moved from the outfield seats, due to the fireworks show afterwards, narrator SSG Jared Zell exited the plane and lit up the nite sky with pyro. The crowd went crazy when they say streaks of bright light coming from SSG Zells boot. But the noise from the crowd was deafing when SSG Zell came into the stadium with the Cincinnati Reds flag.

 

The stadium lights were dimmed and the remaining jumpers led by Team Leader SFC Mike Elliott exited the plane and put on our own fireworks show for the crowd. Tandem Team members SSG Jon Ewald and SSG Joe Abeln came in for a soft landing and within minutes the Team was safely on the ground. As the Team was walking off the field the fireworks show put on by the Cincinnati Reds began.

 

Tandem Team gets to do it all again this evening for the opening ceromonies. It should be another great jump and a good game. So if your in the Cincinatti area come out to watch your US Army Parachute Team and your Cincinatti Reds.

 

Photos:

SSG Jared Zell brings in the Cincinatti Reds flag

 

SSG Zell narrates as the remaining jumpers enter the stadium

 

SSG Jon Ewald on the big screen and above the screen

 

SSG Ewald enters the stadium

 

SSG Abeln takes this shot of SSG Ewald as he flies over the stadium