Wings of Blue to jump into Texas Rangers’ home opener, April 3

By John Van Winkle, U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs, Published April 03, 2017

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. —

Wings of Blue, the Air Force Academy’s parachute team, will help the Texas Rangers kick off their Major League Baseball season with a jump into the team’s home opener, April 3 at Globe Life Park, Arlington, Texas.

The WOB will take part in the pre-game ceremonies before the Rangers compete against compete against the Cleveland Indians.

Five Academy parachutists are scheduled to jump: Maj. Chase Scully, Master Sgt. James Cain, and Cadets 1st Class Gabriel Dawson, Everett Joiner and Jordan Glover.

For Dawson, a native of Lake Jackson, Texas, the jump will be a return to his old stomping grounds.

“My family has been to the home-opening Rangers games every year since I was born,” he said. “In 2008, I watched Dana Bowman — Army double-amputee — jump into the Rangers stadium. That jump inspired me to join the WOB. Now, not only have I had the opportunity to jump alongside Dana, but I’m also getting my own opportunity to jump into the Rangers stadium. This jump is a dream-come-true for my family and me.”

Along with Dawson, Scully and Cain are also from Texas. Scully is from Spring, Texas.

“It is an honor and a privilege to jump into an opening day game for the Texas Rangers,” said Scully, a 2007 Academy graduate. “I’m a Texan getting to jump into a stadium full of Texans. to support a sport I love and grew up playing. Not sure it gets much better than that.”

Cain hails from Odessa. The KC-10 in-flight refueling operator completed more than 2,500 parachute jumps. He said landing on the Texas Rangers’ field will be the “best way to top off a great assignment.”     A lifelong Rangers’ fan, Cain will dedicate the jump to his wife Misty, and his family.

The WOB will bring five flags to the stadium: four Texas state flags and the 2016 American League West Division Champions flag.