This video is dedicated to all those who have, and are, serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds team and in honor of Captain Jennifer Casey of the 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, Snowbird 11 who was tragically lost Sunday May 17th 2020.
I would also like to wish Capt. Richard MacDougall a safe and speedy recovery and our thoughts and prayers go to all those involved with the loss and impact of this tragic accident.
The Hatiten Ronteriios (Warriors of the air)
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds' cross-country tour to raise people's spirits during the COVID-19 pandemic turned to tragedy Sunday when one of its planes plunged into the ground in Kamloops, B.C., killing one member and injuring another.
The Snowbirds jet crashed shortly after takeoff.
Captain. Jennifer Casey, a public affairs officer with the Snowbirds, died in the crash, the Canadian Armed Forces said in a statement.
The pilot of the CT-114 Tutor aircraft, Capt. Richard MacDougall, sustained serious injuries in the crash, but they are not considered life-threatening.
Capt. Casey is from Halifax and joined the Canada's Armed Forces in 2014 after several years working as a journalist, according to her biography on the Royal Canadian Air Force website.
The Snowbirds, officially known as 431 Air Demonstration Squadron (French: 431e escadron de démonstration aérienne), are the military aerobatics or air show flight demonstration team of the Royal Canadian Air Force. The team is based at 15 Wing Moose Jaw near Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. The Snowbirds' official purpose is to "demonstrate the skill, professionalism, and teamwork of Canadian Forces personnel". The Snowbirds are the first Canadian air demonstration team to be designated as a squadron.[3]
The show team flies 11 CT-114 Tutors—nine for aerobatic performances, including two solo aircraft, and two as spares, flown by the team coordinators. Approximately 80 Canadian Forces personnel work with the squadron full-time; 24 personnel are in the show team that travels during the show season. The Snowbirds are the only major military aerobatics team that operates without a support aircraft.
The Snowbirds continue the flying demonstration tradition of previous Canadian air force aerobatic teams, which include the Siskins, the Blue Devils, the Golden Hawks, and the Golden Centennaires.
Thank you for watching.
