Canadian Forces Snowbirds Aerobatics Team to Flyover Canada Starting in Nova Scotia

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431 (AD) Squadron Snowbird practice/Credit: Royal Canadian Air Force

The Canadian Armed Forces is deploying its famed Snowbirds aerobatics team on a cross-country tour aimed at boosting morale as Canadians continue to struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The plan to unleash the team and have its nine-plane formation fly over Canadian cities starting this weekend follows a similar initiative south of the border, where the U.S. military’s own flight demonstration teams have been flying in honour of front-line workers and first responders.

Some have criticized the Pentagon’s decision to launch such a tour, given the mounting death toll from COVID-19 in the U.S. and what some have said are more pressing needs, such as getting protective equipment for health-care workers.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the Snowbirds’ cross-Canada tour during his daily news conference Wednesday, describing the plan to deploy the red, white and blue Tutor jets as an effort to “salute Canadians doing their part to stop the spread of COVID-19.”

“As we watch the Snowbirds fly over our homes, let’s remember that we are all in this together.”

The team, which is based in Moose Jaw, Sask., will conduct its first flyover in Nova Scotia before heading west.

Exact details on when and where the Snowbirds will perform are expected in the coming days, though officials have said the team will focus on hospitals and residential neighbourhoods.

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Credit: Canadian Forces Snowbirds

Some Canadians took to social media on Wednesday to ask whether the flyovers are necessary, given many people are continuing to struggle and die from COVID-19. That echoed criticisms of the U.S. military’s decision to deploy its Blue Angels and Thunderbirds teams.

“We would be flying regardless,” the Snowbirds wrote on their official Twitter account in response to criticisms about the planned tour. “Now we’re just spreading the love (from a distance of course) instead of saying hello to the same farmers around Moose Jaw.”

The Snowbirds initially paused their training in March because of COVID-19 and delayed the start of their flying season, which was to begin in June. Now the team will spend two days at CFB Moose Jaw flying refresher and training missions before starting the tour.

The Snowbirds season ended early last year after one of the team’s Tutor aircraft crashed prior to an air show in the U.S. state of Georgia. Capt. Kevin Domon-Grenier sustained minor injuries when he ejected from the plane, which crashed into a farmer’s field. No one else was hurt.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 29, 2020.

Lee Berthiaume, The Canadian Press

Canadian Forces Snowbirds Aerobatics Team Schedule: Canadian Forces Snowbirds team will release anticipated locations, routes, and times on their social media platforms each day. Flyovers will occur at an elevation no lower than 500 feet above all obstacles.

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  • 6 Comments

    Page 1 of 1
    1. B.Smith

      My daughters and I have respected and enjoyed the precise and patriotic fly by’s
      God bless each and every one whom have every graced the cockpits …right now and in the future

      June 10, 2020 at 6:32 PM
    2. Carol Jones

      Sorry Mike, a lot of people do care. I for one enjoyed it.

      May 11, 2020 at 1:36 PM
    3. Mike Hawk

      YO GEORGINA NO ONE CARES

      May 9, 2020 at 8:47 AM
    4. Pelletier

      I love this!!! Very patriotic, and a great idea to boost our hard work and to those staying home, everyone deserves to be recognize and what best way to do this for all of Canadians to see and feel 🙂 WOW Merci!!

      May 7, 2020 at 2:55 PM
    5. Nicole

      awwwwww that is the sweetest thing ever 🙂 Thank you!!!! I absolutely love the Snowbirds, very patriotic, i love it 🙂 Merci!!!

      May 7, 2020 at 2:53 PM
    6. georgina kirkman kirkman

      a big waste of money. morale building? how about decent pay for work done? health benefits? more doctors? better health care for all irrespective of income or position in society. how about housing and supports for the mentally ill, the homeless, the people on the fringe of our society? Morale building by expending jet fuel ? I don’t think so.

      April 29, 2020 at 12:23 PM

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