OSHKOSH, Wis. — The World War Two Airborne Demonstration Team is making its debut at EAA AirVenture.
To see Armando Zepeda decked out in the gear and uniform of a World War II paratrooper, you probably wouldn’t guess he’s a home inspector.
Most weeks that’s what the San Diego, California, resident does. This week you’ll find him talking with thousands of people about the role America’s airborne forces played in key operations like the invasion of France in June 1944, commonly called D-Day.
“Guys back then, they saved the world. How would you not want to know about their history and how they did what they did?” Zepeda said. “A bunch of young guys jumping in the middle of the night not knowing if they were going to survive, losing a lot of their friends. They did what they had to do back then and they did it.”
He is part of the Oklahoma-based World War II Airborne Demonstration Team. Members not only look the part, they're also trained to jump from vintage transport aircraft.
Zepeda, who served in the Marines in the 1980s, said there are some common bonds with paratroopers of the past.
“There’s a fear factor there. For us, jumping out of a plane, there’s a natural fear factor there," he said. "But we’re not getting shot at, so, there’s a big difference.”
Kevin Conner is a pilot and air wing commander with the team, which is making it’s first trip to EAA AirVenture this week.
“We focus on educating the public about World War II history and what World War II paratroopers and pilots experienced,” he said.
A corporate pilot in his day job, Conner said he has a better understanding of the past with his involvement with the team.
“We all have developed a huge and deep appreciation of the obstacles and challenges. A lot of times they were fighting for their life,” he said. “A lot of them didn’t come home. We want to honor those veterans.”
The team offers a jump school and has members from around the world.
Zepeda jumped in Normandy, France, five years ago for the 75 anniversary of the D-Day invasion. Other team members recently made the drop to celebrate the 80th anniversary.
“To remember those guys, it’s an honor,” Zepeda said about being part of the team. “It’s an honor and they should not be forgotten.”