SHOW: Parking

perform at the Beale Air & Space Expo. Shortell said crowds can expect to see a lot of smoke and the huge American flag flying in the sky during the national anthem.

“Many of our jumpers get really excited when they get close enough to the ground to hear the crowd cheering,” Shortell said. “We also really enjoy interacting with the crowd after a jump and teaching everyone about skydiving and parachuting.”

Wings of Blue averages about 50 performances per year, he said. Cadets on the team have each been jumping for two to three years, with some staff members having more than 20 years of experience. Wings of Blue will bring a team of seven to perform at Beale with at least five jumping from a Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter.

“We also bring a narrator to give the crowd a play-by-play as the demonstration happens,” Shortell said.

The team spends hours training on proper parachute packing and how to identify potential problems and the safe deployment of the reserve parachute.

“As skydivers, we assume a certain amount of inherent risk,” Shortell said. “Obviously an operational mission is more dangerous as there are additional factors that are not present at an air show. That is why our training is so important.”

Base personnel said parking is still being coordinated, but there will be three gates open and attendees are encouraged to use entries most convenient for where they are traveling from.

People traveling from the Sacramento area should use the Wheatland Gate off Highway 65 and South Beale Road; if traveling from Yuba City, Marysville and Chico, use the Schneider Gate on North Beale Road; if traveling from Grass Valley or Penn Valley use the Doolittle Gate off Mamonton-smartsville Road.

Capt. Henry Lancaster, the chief of public affairs, said using the appropriate gate will reduce traffic congestion and ensure adequate parking is available.

“The parking won’t nearly be that big of an issue if people go to the right gate,” Lancaster said.