U.S. Air Force Parachute Team “Wings of Blue” Joins the Truckee Tahoe AirShow & Family Festival Lineup

Truckee/North Lake Tahoe, Calif. – March 5, 2014 – The United States Air Force Parachute Team
“Wings of Blue” will mesmerize Truckee Tahoe AirShow attendees with the team’s intricate aerial skills using flags and color filled smoke grenades on July 12 at the Truckee Tahoe Airport.

The selection process to confirm “Wings of Blue” at an event is highly competitive. The team’s awe-inspiring and precise performance features jumpers who fly streamers, smoke canisters and carry game balls. A true crowd pleaser is their flying of a massive 800 square foot American Flag to open high profile events like air shows throughout the world and professional sporting events such as the Rose Bowl and NFL and MLB games. They also open for all Air Force Academy sporting events. In addition, “Wings of Blue” have appeared on the international scene performing in Chile, Japan, Spain and the United Kingdom.

“Due to the  limited number of military performances at air shows scheduled this year, we are thrilled to present the United States Air Force Parachute Team ‘Wings of Blue’ who represent  over 200,000 active duty airmen serving around the world,” said Tim LoDolce, chairman, Truckee Tahoe AirShow. “To be chosen by ‘Wings of Blue’ to perform at our air show is a great honor, as we know the selection process is extremely competitive.”

Each "Wings of Blue" demonstration team is composed of highly qualified United States Air Force Academy Cadet jumpers and the 98th Flying Training Squadron. Team members are hand-selected based on their abilities to represent the Air Force Academy and the Armed Forces. They receive abundant training on free-fall and canopy flying, smoke systems, flag systems and formation flying maneuvers. Additionally, “Wings of Blue” members train rigorously to accurately land on target at the show venue, as well as obtaining many practice jumps into football stadiums to prepare for major sporting events.

“Keeping with this year’s AirShow theme, ‘Women in Aviation’, ‘Wings of Blue’ has confirmed the participation of numerous females coming as part of its parachute team. They will pilot, co-pilot, narrate and jump,” noted LoDolce. “Their show will certainly be something that this year’s attendees will remember for a long time.”

In addition to “Wings of Blue”, the AirShow will feature National Hall of Famer, Patty Wagstaff; Showmanship Award winner and Jelly Belly sponsored Kent Pietsch along with world-renowned performers Dan Buchannan, Jon Melby, the RedStar Formation Team and The OV-10 Bronco flying performance.

Festival activities will include a Vendor Village, static aircraft displays with pilot docents, a Kids’ Zone and a food and beer garden. More details and newly committed attractions can be found at www.truckeetahoeairshow.com.

The pre-event Friday, July 11 Honorary Dinner under the stars at the Airport will feature, just for ticket holders, a “teaser” air show from the U.S. Air Force Parachute Team “Wings of Blue”, and highlighted aerobatic performers Kent Pietsch, Dan Buchanan and the famous Patty Wagstaff. Keynote Speaker, Wagstaff, a six-time recipient of the “First Lady of Aerobatics” Betty Skelton Award and world-renowned performer will address guests with a presentation on women in aviation. The evening will also include a catered dinner by Mountain Magic Catering, a silent auction by the Nevada County Sheriff's Search and Rescue, a no-host bar, live music and much more. Dinner cost is $50 per person. Tickets go on sale May 12 at the Truckee Tahoe Airport or online at www.truckeetahoeairshow.com.

Major sponsors to date include Truckee Tahoe Airport District, Tahoe Mountain Resorts Foundation, Suddenlink, Sierra Sun and The Weekly.

The Truckee Tahoe Airport District is the “Golden Wings” sponsor of the 2014 TTAS&FF fundraising event, funding all operational costs associated with the event as a gift to its community. Three non-profit organizations and their volunteers make the event come to life while raising money for children’s scholarships and various programs. All proceeds from sponsorships, vendor fees, pre-event dinner ticket sales and food and beverage sales go directly to local youth. The three non-profit organizations include The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) local Chapter 1073, KidZone Museum and the Truckee Optimist Club.

For more information and updates about the 2014 Truckee Tahoe AirShow & Family Festival, please visit www.truckeetahoeairshow.com  and follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/truckeetahoeairshow.