Change Of Plans: Army Airborne’s Delivery Of Northview Game Ball

September 17, 2009

silverwings101.jpgThe game ball for one of this year’s Northview High School football games will still be delivered from above, but there’s been a slight change of plans.

The United States Army’s parachute demonstration team the Silver Wings from Ft. Benning, Georgia, will deliver the game ball to Northview’s Senior Night on October 30. But instead of Blackhawk helicopters as first announced, plans now call for the parachutists to jump from a fixed wing aircraft.

SFC Bobby Ewing, an Army recruiter in Pensacola, said that two to four members of the Silver Wings are scheduled to jump from a fixed wing aircraft  at least 5,000 feet over the Northview stadium. They will bring down a United States flag, a POW/MIA flag, an Army flag and the official game ball. One jumper will land on the 50-yard line to deliver the game ball for the game against Sneads.

silverwings11.jpg“It will be exciting, and a great way to begin Senior Night,” Northview Principal Gayle Weaver said.

A ground crew will drive the Silver Wings jumpers back to Ft. Benning. But before they leave, they will be available to meet with fans, and they will be happy to talk about joining the Army, Ewing said.

“Their mission will to be to deliver the game ball, get their gear and move out of the way for the game and Senior Night,” he said.

The Silver Wings’ mission is to perform live aerial demonstrations in support of the United States Army, and Ft. Benning public relations and recruiting.

The Silver Wings is comprised of Soldiers from throughout the Fort Benning airborne community. They have diverse backgrounds and various military specialties. The average age is 33 years old and the average number of free fall jumps range between 200-2500 per team member. The team represents the professionalism and dedication of the specially trained Soldiers that are products of the United States Army Infantry Center and Schools, to include Airborne, Pathfinders, and the Army elite Rangers.

Photos courtesy U.S. Army for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

15 Responses to “Change Of Plans: Army Airborne’s Delivery Of Northview Game Ball”

  1. SFC Bobby Ewing on September 24th, 2009 8:12 pm

    To SPC Wilcoxon,

    Glad to hear from another Northview Alum serving our country in the Army. I wish you could make it to the Sr Night as well. I have been searching for several of my classmates and pass Alum to come back out and support the players, seniors, and school while watching a great show. It would have been nice for the team to jump from Blackhawks, but it would be a night jump and I don’t think they would be able to see the birds anyway. Look me up on AKO and send me an email with your contact information downrange. I will hook you up. Thanks again and GOD Bless.

    SFC Ewing

  2. SPC Wilcoxon on September 22nd, 2009 6:30 am

    I would just like to take a second and say that i think this is awesome. I graduated northview in 2005 and since have joined the army and i am now a 15T1F ( UH-60 Blackhawk Repairer/Crewchief), Currently stationed in Iraq. I would just like to say that i thank you and i think that this is an awesome opportunity for the community. Keep up the good work SFC Ewing. I do have to say though. Wish it were a helicopter, but im partial, i work and fly on them. HA HA HA

  3. Bobby Ewing on September 18th, 2009 10:37 am

    Thank you to all of northescambia.com who posted such nice comments. It is truly an honor and pleasure to be able to bring this event to our wonderful community. Once again thank you, and GO CHIEFS!!!

  4. Scobie Wilcoxon on September 18th, 2009 9:32 am

    Thank you, SFC Ewing for clarifying. Thank you for your service and thank you for supporting our small community.

  5. I dunno on September 17th, 2009 11:13 pm

    Can we pray as they jump out ………. ??????

  6. Kelly on September 17th, 2009 10:37 pm

    Thank you for being such a positive incluence at Northview, Bobby. You always have that happy smile on your face and the kids notice that. YOU ARE VERY SPECIAL! :)

  7. bp on September 17th, 2009 10:16 pm

    We are so very fortunate to have young men of this caliber representing this community in such a positive way! My hope is that Bobby’s example of how to lead a happy, successful life will impress and encourage other young men in our community. I hope that everyone will come out to support Bobby and our armed forces.

  8. Tom Meehan on September 17th, 2009 7:55 pm

    Way to go U.S. Army!! And SFC Ewing! As a former Army Helicopter pilot and a teacher at Northview I could not be more proud of our military and the Northview alumni who serve our Country. I know of no finer example of today’s soldier than Northview’s very own,SFC Ewing. The Silver Wings are a great recruiting tool, as are the Blue Angels and we should be thankful that men and women like these are there for us. Airborne!! All The Way!!

  9. Mickey Powell on September 17th, 2009 6:37 pm

    Thank goodness for Airborn!! A chopter is dangerous. I watched one get out of control in VN. Not a pretty site. Lucky only crew of four was destroyed.

    Mickey Powell
    Flomaton

  10. Bobby Ewing on September 17th, 2009 3:02 pm

    To Mr. Wilcoxon, There were no political reasons behind the change to the aircraft team will be jumping out of. Do to mission priorities, the helicopters are needed eslewhere. It will also be a night jump and from the altitude they will be jumping from, I’m not to sure the crowd would be able to see the birds. Maybe one day we can get a few to do a fly by or something. I will let the Recruiters behind me know to keep checking into it.

    SFC Ewing

  11. Scobie Wilcoxon on September 17th, 2009 2:39 pm

    I still think it is a wonderful opportunity for Northview. I just hope the change from the helicopter to a fixed wing was due to some technical reason and not some politically correct issue from some official.

  12. NHS Senior on September 17th, 2009 1:43 pm

    This is so awesome! Thank’s alot Mr. Ewing. I am looking forward to Senior Night!

  13. Juanita Sanders on September 17th, 2009 9:50 am

    OH WOW!! That will be so cool to watch!! I can’t wait!!!! Go United States Army and Northview Chiefs!!

  14. S.L.B on September 17th, 2009 8:22 am

    No problem, it will still be very exciting no matter what is flown. Can’t wait to watch!

  15. NHS Mom on September 17th, 2009 7:29 am

    Neat! Looking forward to seeing this. Thanks to the crew for volunteering to add this attraction before the game.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports, TOP sports