CanForce Snowbirds 2014 Airshow Schedules

Editor Note: Since Monitoring Times ceased publication this month, Teak Publishing will take over publication of Larry Van Horn's Annual Air Show frequency guide and it will be available soon as a Kindle publication at Amazon.com. Watch this blog for a release announcement.



This is a tentative schedule that we have been able to put together from air show websites and various media reports. This schedule on the blog is subject to change without notice and is weather permitting.

Stay tuned to the MMP blog and check the "Milcom Blog Guide to Airshows" section on the right hand side of this blog for links to other schedules and field reports from readers during the airshow season.

Ed Blog Note: If you attend any of these events with your scanner in hand, I could use your field reports on the frequencies that the team is using. f you have anything to share, please contact me at the email address in the masthead of this blog. Your field reports are important to us to keep the annual Internationl Air Show Guide current.

2014 Show Schedule

May 2014

May 13 Moose Jaw, Moose Jaw, SK
May 17-18 Cape Girardeau Regional Air Festival, Cape Girardeau, MO
May 24-25 Salute to Veterans 26th Annual Celebration, Columbia, MO
May 28 TBD
May 31 Fort McMurray Air Show, Fort McMurray, AB

June 2014

June 1 Fort McMurray Air Show, Fort McMurray, AB
June 4 North Bay Armed Forces Day 2014, North Bay, ON
June 7-8 CFB Borden Canadian Forces Day & Airshow, Borden, ON
June 14-15 London Hot Air Balloon Festival, London, ON
June 18 Spectacle Aerien LA Baie, LA Baie, QC
June 21-22 Val D’Or, QB
June 24 St Georges De Beauce Airshow, St. Georges de Beauce, QC
June 28-29 Waterloo Air Show, Waterloo, ON

July 2014

July 1 Air Show Ottawa, Ottawa, ON
July 4 Moose Jaw, Moosejaw, SK
July 5-6 TBD
July 12 Yellowknife International Airshow, Yellowknife, NWT
July 13 Peace River Regional Airshow, Peace River, AB
July 16 TBD
July 19-20 Cold Lake Airshow – Centennial of Flight, Cold Lake, AB
July 23 Canada Remembers Our Heroes, Saskatoon, SK
July 26-27 Hometown Heroes Air Show 2014, Whitecourt, AB
July 30 TBD

August 2014

August 2-3 Big Valley Jamboree/Snowbirds Over Camrose, Camrose, AB
August 5-6 White Rock, BC
August 8-10 Abbotsford International Airshow, Abbotsford, BC
August 16-17 Bromont Air Show, Montreal, QC
August 20 Greenwood, NS
August 23-24 Moncton Air Show, Moncton, NB
August 27 Rotary Brantford Charity Air Show, Brantford, ON
August 30-31 Canadian International Air Show, Toronto, ON

September 2014

September 1 Canadian International Air Show, Toronto, ON
September 2 Whitby, ON
September 6 Royal Canadian Air Force Ball, Quebec City, QC
September 10 Port Stanley, ON
September 13-14 Wings Over Gatineau, Gatineau, QC
September 20-21 Oregon International Air Show, Hillsboro, OR
Sept 24 TBD
September 27-28 Redding Air Show, Redding Municipal Airport - Redding, CA

October 2014

October 4-5 TBD
October 11-12 TBD
October 17 Moose Jaw, Moosejaw, SK

CanForce Snowbirds 2011-2012 Airshow Schedules

The Canadian Forces Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Snowbirds, has announced their show schedule for the 2011 and 2012 seasons at the annual International Council of Airshows convention.

The schedule on the blog is subject to change without notice and is weather permitting, for everyones safety.

Stay tuned to the MMP blog and check the "Milcom Blog Guide to Airshows" section on the right hand side of this blog for links to other schedules and field reports from readers during the airshow season.

Don't forget to checkout our 12th annual Air Show Guide that will appear in the March 2011 issue of Monitoring Times magazine. It will be loaded with the latest frequencies (for US and foreign teams), combined schedules, and radio equipment recommendations to make your air show experience an enjoyable and pleasurable one.

The web version of our March guide won't be posted to the MT website until mid to late April. This is done as a courtesy to our subscribers and readers who pay the freight. So get your copy of the March issue before it sells out when it is released in the last week of February. Better yet, get a subscription and don't miss a single exciting issue of Monitoring Times magazine.

I hope to have a more detailed schedule very soon when the team makes its official release later this month, so stay tuned to this blog for the latest updates.

2011 Show Schedule

May 2011
May 4 Acceptance Show - Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
May 7-8 Winnipeg, Manitoba
May 14-15 MCAS New River, North Carolina
May 20-22 Kingston, Ontario
May 28-29 St Hubert, Quebec

June 2011
June 1 North Bay, Ontario
June 4-5 Sydney, Nova Scotia
June 8 Quebec City , Quebec
June 11-12 Bagotville, Quebec
June 18-19 Cold Lake, Alberta
June 22 Moosomin, Saskatchewan
June 25-26 St Thomas, Ontario
June 29 Sarnia, Ontario

July 2011
July 1 Ottawa, Ontario
July 16-17 Airdrie, Alberta
July 20 Cranbrook, British Columbia
July 23-24 Lethbridge, Alberta
July 27 White Rock, British Columbia
July 29-30 Big Valley Jamboree Camrose, Alberta

August 2011
August 1 Fort St John, British Columbia
August 3 Prince Rupert, British Columbia
August 6 Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
August 12-14 Abbotsford, British Columbia
August 20-21 Waterloo, Ontario
August 24 Stephenville, Newfoundland
August 27-28 Summerside, Prince Edward Island

September 2011
September 3-5 Toronto, Ontario
September 6 Whitby, Ontario
September 10-11 Windsor, Ontario
September 14 Gore Bay, Ontario
September 17 Gatineau, Quebec
September 24-25 Salinas, California

October 2011
October 1-2 Sheppard AFB, Texas
October 8-9 San Francisco, California
October 15-16 Houston, Texas
October 21 Year End Show - Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

2012 Show Schedule

May 2012
May 3 Acceptance Show - Moose Jaw Saskatchewan
May 26-27 Jones Beach, New York

June 2012
June 2-3 Waterloo, Ontario
June 9-10 Borden, Ontario
June 16-17 Quebec City, Quebec
June 23-24 Mount Laurier, Quebec
June 30 Orillia, Ontario

July 2012
July 1 Ottawa, Ontario
July 14 Yellowknife, North West Territories
July 17 Inuvik, North West Territories
July 19 Norman Wells,North West Territories
July 22 White Horse, North West Territories
July 25 Watson Lake, North West Territories
July 28-29 Fort McMurray, Alberta

August 2012
August 1 Kelowna, British Columbia
August 4-5 Comox, British Columbia
August 11-12 Abbotsford British Columbia
August 18-19 Val D'or, Quebec
August 25-28 Summerside, Prince Edward Island

September 2012
September 1-3 Toronto Ontario
September 4 Whitby Ontario
September 8-9 Windsor Ontario
September 15 Gatineau Quebec
September 22-23 Duluth, Minnesota

October 2012
October 13-14 Daytona Beach, Florida
October 19 Year End Show - Moose Jaw Saskatchewan

CanForce Snow Birds 2010 Airshow Schedule Update 2

15 WING MOOSE JAW, SASKATCHEWAN - The Canadian Forces Snowbirds have officially released their 2010 show schedule.

During the 2010 season, the Snowbirds are scheduled to participate in over 33 air shows in 30 locations, proudly telling the Canadian Forces story through their inspirational flying. As ambassadors of the Canadian Forces and Canada, the team will travel as far North as Anchorage, Alaska, as far South as Daytona Beach, Fla., as far West as Victoria, B.C. and as far East as Halifax, N.S. June 12 and 29 the Snowbirds will be in Victoria, B.C. and Halifax, N.S., respectively to celebrate the Centennial of the Navy.

During the team's 39-year history, the Snowbirds have performed in about 2,195 air shows, before almost 135 million spectators.

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds' mission is to represent the skill professionalism and teamwork of the Canadian Forces and to inspire Canadians to consider an exciting career in Canada's military. This schedule is subject to change without notice and is weather permitting, for everyone's safety.

Stay tuned to the MMP blog and check the Milcom Blog Guide to Airshows section on the right hand side of this blog for links to other schedules and field reports from readers during the airshow season.

April
April 24 Final Practice
April 28 Acceptance Show

May
May 01-02 Canadian Aviation Expo - John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport, ON http://www.canadianaviationexpo.com/
May 08-09 Thunder Over Niagara - Niagara Falls International Airport, NY http://www.thunderoverniagara.com/
May 13 SB: MasterCard Memorial Cup - Brandon, MB http://mastercardmemorialcup.com/
May 15-16 Neepawa Air Show 2010 - Neepawa Airport, MB

June
June 05-06 Borden Canadian Forces Day - CFB Borden, ON http://www.airshows.aero/OrgProfile/1945
June 12 Victoria Navy, BC
June 19-20 Waterloo Aviation Expo & Airshow - Kitchener, ON http://www.waterlooairshow.ca/
June 24 St George, NB
June 26 Charlo Airport, NB
june 29 Halifax Navy, NS

July
July 01 Canada Day
July 04 Vintage Wings of Canada - Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport, QC http://www.vintagewings.ca/
July 09 Calgary Stampede - Calgary, AB
July 21 Dawson Creek Airshow - Dawson Creek Airport, BC http://www.tourismdawsoncreek.com/event_airshow.php
July 24 Yellowknife International Airshow - Yellowknife Airport, NT
July 31-August 1 Arctic Thunder Air Show 2010 - Elmendorf AFB, AK http://www.alaskaairshow.org/

August
August 04 Wings Over Whitecourt Airshow - Whitecourt, AB
August 07-08 Wetaskiwin Air Show - Wetaskiwin, AB http://www.westaskiwinairshow.com/
August 13-15 Abbotsford International Airshow - Abbotsford, BC http://www.abbotsfordairshow.com/
August 21-22 Windsor International Air Show - Windsor, ON
August 25 Bagotville Airshow 2010 - Bagotville, QC
August 28-29 Val d'Or International Airshow - Val d'Or, QC

September
September 01 Brantford Airshow 1010 - Brantford, ON http://www.brantfordairshow.com/
September 04-06 Canadian International Airshow - Toronto, ON http://www.cias.org/
September 07 VandenBos Airshow - Ontario
September 11 Nova Scotia International Air Show - Shearwater, NS http://www.nsairshow.ca/
September 18-19 US National Championship Air Races - Stead Field Reno, NV http://www.airrace.org/
September 25-26 Chico Air Show 2010 - Chico, CA http://www.chicoairshow.org/

October
October 01-03 MCAS Miramar Airshow - MCAS Miramar, CA http://www.miramarairshow.com/
October 09-10 Daytona, FL
October 16-17 Wings Over Marietta - Dobbins AFB, GA http://www.dobbins.afrc.af.mil/
October 22-23 Year End/40th Gala

Don't forget to checkout our eleventh annual MT Air Show Guide that will appear in the March 2010 issue of Monitoring Times magazine. It will be loaded with the latest frequencies (for U.S. and foreign teams), combined schedules, and radio equipment recommendations to make your air show experience an enjoyable and pleasurable one.

We are also running special issues throughout the season with aero and LMR frequency profiles at each military base the team will perform at. The first of those base profiles will be in the February issue of MT in our monthly Milcom columm.

The electronic web version of our March Air Show Guide won't be posted to the Monitoring Times website until late April to early May. This is done as a courtesy to our subscribers and readers who pay the freight. So get your copy of the March issue before it sells out when it is released in the last week of February. Better yet, get a year's subscription (available in print and electronic versions) and don't miss a single issue of Monitoring Times magazine.

Trenton Ontario Airshow Online Feed Up Tomorrow

There will be an audio feed dedicated to the Trenton, Ontario, Canada air show tomorrow (Sunday). CFB Trenton frequencies will be scanned and the provider will have both the VHF air band and UHF MilAir band both on search the whole time.

Feed link:
http://www.radioreference.com/apps/audio/?ctid=4297
http://incidentbroadcast.com:8000/QuinteRegion.m3u

CFB Trenton Air show website:
http://www.cfbtrenton.com/anniversary/index.php

Schedule for Sunday July 5th

1:00pm - 4:00pm Air Display featuring:

* Skyhawks
* Snowbirds / Hawk One
* Griffon Search and Rescue Demonstration
* Hercules Para Drop
* CF-18 Demo Team
* Centennial Flight
* CC-150 Polaris / CF-18 air-to-air refuelling demonstration
* CC-177 Globemaster

St. Thomas 2009 Airshow Report

I would like to thank Cat Balue for the report below from the St. Thomas airport.

116.0000 used extensively by the Canadian Snow Birds. when regrouping with the main body of planes, they used this frequency.

122.2500 used by all aircraft at the show, very busy.

122.7000 St Thomas main airport frequency.

242.6000 used by Snow Birds when performing.

272.1000 used by the Snow Birds on the way to the airshow and used during their practice session.

Other frequency used by can identify who used them other than the planes must have been at the air show.

236.6000 266.3000

323.3000 used by Toronto Maple ( not familiar with the name but it involved about three F18's.

333.3000 also used by T.M. this is also a frequency, that I have listened to over the last year, it seems to be quite active. I find that this frequency is used a lot year round.

After the airshow some planes went back to thier respctive bases and this is what I heard.

225.7000 was used to hand off the Snow Birds from 135.6250 (Toronto Center)

294.5000 Hawk 11 was handed off to this frequency on another Toronto Center frequency.

135.3000 (294.5000 is also used year round)

Early Rochester NY Air Show Report

Here is an early report from the Rochester NY Air Show.

Air Boss 122.4750
Civi Performers 123.1500
Golden Knights 123.4750
Snowbirds 116.0000 272.1000
F-18/F-15E/A-10 Demos 376.0250

Remember if you have a report from one of the airshows, we can use your help. Remember, even if we have a freq you heard, pass it along as that verifies and keeps our list up-to-date. Please pass your report along to the email address above and you can remain anonymous if you want or need to.

If you need frequencies remember the 2009 MT Airshow Guide has been posted to the net at http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT_Air_Show_Guide_2009.pdf.

Also remember to check out the links on the Milcom Blog Guide to Airshows in the strip to the right of this post for late breaking info and frequency updates.

And this weekend the flight demo teams will be performing at the following shows:

AF Thunderbirds: Ellsworth AFB, SD - Dakota Thunder http://www.ellsworth.af.mil/ and http://www.dakotathunder.com/index.html

Navy Blue Angels: Janesville, WI - Southern Wisconsin AirFEST http://www.swairfest.org/

Golden Knights: Janesville, WI - Southern Wisconsin AirFEST http://www.swairfest.org/ and Rochester, NY - Rochester International Air Show

Canadian Snowbirds: Rochester, NY - Rochester International Air Show

Canadian Forces Snowbirds 2009 Schedule - Update #2

Don't forget to checkout our tenth annual Air Show Guide that will appear in the March 2009 issue of Monitoring Times magazine. It will be loaded with the latest frequencies (for US and foreign teams), combined schedules, and radio equipment recommendations to make your air show experience an enjoyable and pleasurable one.

The web version of our March guide won't be posted to the MT website until mid to late April. This is done as a courtesy to our subscribers and readers who pay the freight. So get your copy of the March issue before it sells out when it is released in the last week of February. Better yet, get a subscription and don't miss a single exciting issue of Monitoring Times magazine.

Canadian Forces Snowbirds 2009 Performance Schedule
This schedule is subject to change without notice.


May
May 2 CFB Moose Jaw, SK - 15 Wing Moose Jaw Air Show
May 6 Wahpeton, ND - Snowbirds over Wahpeton 2009
May 9-10 Barksdale AFB, LA - Defenders of Liberty Open House & Air Show
May 13 Anderson, SC
May 16-17 MCAS Cherry Point, NC - MCAS Cherry Point Air Show
May 20 Greenwood, NS - 14 Wing Armed Forces Day
May 27 Kingston, ON - Kingston Air Show
May 30-31 Rochester, NY - Rochester International Air Show

June
June 6-7 Portage, MI - Portage Air Show 2009
June 10 Sault Ste. Marie, ON
June 13-14 CFB Bagotville, PQ - Bagotville International Air Show
June 17 Baddeck, NS - Baddeck Air Show
June 20-21 St. Thomas, ON - Wings and Wheels Airshow
June 24 Orillia, ON - Orillia Air Show (fundraiser on behalf of the Community Foundation of Orillia and Area)
June 27-28 North Kingstown, RI - Rhode Island National Guard Open House & Airshow

July
July 1 Ottawa, ON
July 4-5 CFB Trenton, ON - 8 Wings Anniversary Weekend Air Display
July 18 Peace River, AB - Peace River Regional Air Show
July 19 Fort St. John, BC - 2009 Fort St. John Airshow
July 22 Airdrie, AB - Airdrie Air Show (Town Centennial Celebration)
July 25 Lethbridge, AB - Alberta International Air Show
July 26 Edmonton, AB
July 29 Prince George, BC - Prince George Air Show

August
August 1-2 CFB Cold Lake, AB - Cold Lake Air Show - Centennial of Flight
August 5 Penticton, BC - Penticton Air Fair
August 7-9 Abbottsford, BC - Abbotsford International Air Show
August 15-16 Saskatoon, SK - Canada Remembers International Air Show
August 22-23 St. Johns, NF
August 26 Gaspe, PQ
August 29 Windsor, ON - Windsor International Air Show

September
September 2 Brantford, ON - Brantford Air Show
September 5-7 Toronto, ON - Canadian International Air Show
September 12-13 Yarmouth, NS - Nova Scotia International Air Show
September 19-20 Scott AFB, IL - Scott Air Show
September 26-27 Colorado Springs, CO - In Their Honor Air Show
September 30 San Diego, CA

October
October 3-4 MCAS Miramar, CA - MCAS Miramar Air Show http://www.miramarairshow.com/
October 7 Tucumcari, NM - Tucumcari Rotary Club Airshow
October 10-11 Sheppard AFB, TX - Sheppard AFB Air Show
October 14 NAS Pensacola, FL
October 17-18 Cape Canaveral/Kennedy Space Center, FL - Air-Space Expo

Quebec Airshow 2008 Report - Another New TBird VHF Freq Uncovered

Normand Fortin, an airshow and scanner freak, attended the Quebec Airshow this last weekend and passes along this very important airshow field report. Thanks Normand for sharing your experience and frequency report with my Milcom Monitoring Post readers.

The following flight demo teams were on the line: Blue Angels, Thunderbirds, British Red Arrows and Snowbirds as this event was included in the 400th anniversary of the City.

The teams arrived on last monday for a week of practice before the Saturday and Sunday events.

The Red Arrows used 243.450 MHz AM for all their inflight and flight to ground comm through a simple radio patch to PA system. The commentator overrides on the PA for description but you can always hear the cues from team leader when no comments. Very very colorful calls, lots of shouting for the cues. Very flexible airshow as they changed from flat to low to high show during the performance as weather was improving.

The Blue Angels did 3 practices and recce flights during the week. They used 237.8 AM as their primary (diamond) and solos were heard on 237.8 AM as well as 284.25 AM. The saturday show exibited the same freqs. Nothing else has been noted and they don't seem to have the type of commcart that the Tbirds uses. Sunday perfomance was cancelled due to weather that was just a tad under their minimum during their slot.

The Snowbirds were heard on 236.6, no suprises there.

Finally, The Tbirds used a much more evolved pattern mainly due to their commcart.

A NEW TBIRD FREQUENCY WAS DISCOVERED THIS WEEKEND: 140.700 MHz AM (lots of pagers in Canada in the 140-143 area so this new one may be because of that), which was dubbed V-01 all week, 235.25 AM was used alternatively by the solos (dubbed U-01).

The Saturday show suffered a rain shower during their perfomance so on Sunday, the Snowbirds changed their (last of the show protocol slot) with the Tbirds which enjoyed a high show weather. I was situated about 20 ft from the commcart with all the ground personnel nearby so I witnessed all the mirror and gun light alignment cues from them to the team during the show.

216.7275 MHz FM was the narrator/music and 216.9800 MHz FM was the team comms retransmission to the ground cart. About 10 min in the show, TBird No 5 (Maj. Samantha Weeks had an issue with her jet, the show was suspended and she used 235.250 MHz AM to talk to maintenance or ground coordinator. The problem was hydraulic.

The Blue Angels guys came to the cart at the beginning of the show to monitor from the commcart (in a friendly visit, normally they do not perform together because US gov wants to maximize exposure but Québec was authorized as a TEAM show stunt)

Thats it, its been a great week, lots of low flying and noise. I used all the frequencies available on the net to monitor this plus range searching. I have no freq counter nor close call functions but i think pretty much all the action went through these freqs. My rigs are Icom IC-R20 (100 f/sec search , 30-40 f/sec in memory scan) so the refresh was very rapid. Also my IC-R10 was completing the monitoring for airboss served as dual-receive.

Canadian Snowbirds 2008 Schedule -Update

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds were delighted to announce their 2008 show season schedule December 11 in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States of America, during the International Council of Air Shows Convention.

"We are looking forward to a fantastic 2008 Season and to flying Canada's colours across North America," said Major Robert Mitchell, Commanding Officer, Canadian Forces Snowbirds. "Both in the air and on the ground, we remain committed to strive and represent the best of the Canadian Forces and to preserve our tradition of excellence."

During the 2008 Season, the Snowbirds are scheduled to participate in 65 air shows in 43 locations, proudly telling the Canadian Forces story through their inspirational flying and engaging team members. The team is also scheduled to conduct fly pasts of the following significant Canadian events: Canada Day, Calgary Stampede, The Formula 1 and Edmonton Grand Prix.

As ambassadors of the Canadian Forces and Canada, the team will travel as far North as Yellowknife, N.W.T., as far South as Fort Lauderdale, Fla., as far West as Victoria, B.C. and as far East as Halifax, N.S. The team is also looking forward to celebrating the 400th anniversary of Quebec City, Que., 14 and 15 June and to performing in their hometown of Moose Jaw, Sask., 23 August.

During the team's 38-year history, the Snowbirds have performed in about 2,100 air shows, before more than 125 million spectators.

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds' mission is to represent the professionalism, skill and teamwork of the Canadian Forces and to inspire Canadians to consider an exciting career in Canada's military.

-30-

MT MIlcom Blog Readers: Don't forget to checkout our ninth annual Air Show Guide that will appear in the March 2008 issue of Monitoring Times magazine. It will be loaded with the latest frequencies (for US and foreign teams), combined schedules, and radio equipment recommendations to make your air show experience an enjoyable and pleasurable one.

The web version of our March guide won't be posted to the MT website until mid to late April. This is done as a courtesy to our subscribers and readers who pay the freight. So get your copy of the March issue before it sells out when it is released in the last week of February. Better yet, get a subscription and don't miss a single exciting issue of Monitoring Times magazine.

Canadian Forces Snowbirds 2008 Performance Schedule
The schedule below is subject to change without notice.

May
3-4 MacDill AFB, Florida - Air Fest 2008
7 Anderson, South Carolina - Anderson Air Show
10-11 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Wings Over Pittsburgh
14 Duluth, Minnesota - Duluth Air Show
17-18 Malmstrom AFB, Montana - Malstrom AFB Open House
21 Cranbrook, British Columbia - Cranbrook Air Show
24-25 Janesville, Wisconsin - Southwest Wisconsin Airfest
31 Portage-la-Prairie, Manitoba - 17 Wing Armed Forces Day

June
1 Brandon, Manitoba - Westman Air Show
4 Kapuskasing, Ontario - Kapuskasing Air Show
7-8 Montreal, Quebec - Formula 1 Race
10 Magog, Quebec - Magog Fly-past
14-15 Quebec City, Quebec - 400th Anniversary of Quebec
18 Kingston, Ontario - Kingston Air Show
21-22 CFB Borden, Ontario - Canadian Force Base Borden
25 Goderich, Ontario - Goderich Air Show
28-29 Ottawa, Ontario - Ottawa Air Show

July
1 Ottawa, Ontario - Canada Day Flypast
4 Calgary, Manitoba - Calgary Stampede Flypast
16 Thompson, Manitoba - Thompson Air Show
19 Yellowknife, North West Territories - Yellowknife International Air Show
20 Edmonton, Alberta - Edmonton Grand Prix Flypast
26-27 Wetaskiwin, Alberta - Wetaskiwin Air Show
30 White Rock, British Columbia - Wings Over White Rock

August
3 Dawson Creek, British Columbia - Dawson Creek Air Show
6 Penticton, British Columbia - Penticton Air Show
8-10 Abbotsford, British Columbia - Abbotsford International Air Show
13 Rocky Mountain House, British Columbia - Rocky Mountain House Air Show
16 Springbank, Alberta - Springbank Air Show
23 Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan - 15 Wing Armed Forces Day
27 Welland, Ontario - Welland Air Show
30-31 Toronto, Ontario - Canadian International Air Show

September
1 Toronto, Ontario - Canadian International Air Show
2 Whitby, Ontario - Captain Michael VandenBos School Flypast
6-7 Halifax, Nova Scotia - Nova Scotia International Air Show
10 Stephenville, Newfoundland - Stephenville Air Show
20-21 Victoria, British Columbia - Victoria Air Show
24 Tri-Cities, Washington - Tri-Cities Air Show
27-28 Chico, California - Chico Air Show

October
1 Douglas, Arizona - Douglas Air Show
4-5 El Paso, Texas - Amigo Air Sho
11-12 San Francisco, California - San Francisco Fleet Week
17 CFB Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan - End of Year Show

Canadian Snowbirds end season on high note

by Senior Airman Eydie Sakura, 341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office


MOOSE JAW, Saskatchewan -- The Canadian Forces Snowbirds aerial demonstration team celebrated their end-of-season show with special guests, family and friends in Moosejaw Oct. 12.

The 15th Wing commander, Col. R.D. Foster, and the Snowbirds team invited a small group from Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., and the Montana Air National Guard, up to Canada to thank them for their efforts in the crash recovery May 18, 2007, when Snowbirds 2 pilot, Capt. Shawn McCaughey died during a practice flight at Malmstrom prior to the team's two scheduled shows at the base's open house.

The celebratory end-of-season events kicked off with a 40-minute aerial acrobatics show, demonstrating the Snowbirds' precision movements and choreographed teamwork.

"Today's show was great, because just yesterday we were in those planes flying some of those exact same routines," said Col. Steve Asher, 341st Security Forces Group commander. "I appreciated the show much more today because we saw first-hand how much goes into each of the performances."

Colonel Asher and eight other Airmen received incentive flights Oct. 11 in the Snowbirds' signature plane, the CT-114 Tutor, in appreciation of all their efforts in May during the Snowbirds' season-opener event.

"The idea of flying in a Snowbird sounds far-fetched, and I'm still in disbelief that I took part in something of that magnitude," said Airman 1st Class Kenvin Keophakdy, 341st Medical Operations Squadron aerospace medical technician. "I'm very thankful I had the opportunity to honor a fallen pilot and to represent my country. In retrospect, tragedy is the soil that births many triumphs."

Maj. Robert Mitchell, Snowbirds commanding officer, said the year-end show is a culmination of the team's season and it's the opportunity to share the good experiences and bad experiences, but most importantly, it's about a celebration.

The festivities rolled into the evening hours, and roughly 180 people attended the Snowbirds' formal dining-in celebration here. The dinner featured several guest speakers and award presentations, as well as formal farewells to out-going teammates. Throughout the day of celebration, however, there was time for remembrance and reflection for fallen comrades. Major Mitchell said even though the team endured a great loss, the experience brought them closer together.

"We started out our season on a sad note; from day one, man, what a kick in the head for a team. Our very first day of the show season and we lost a great guy and a good friend," the major said. "That [experience] has changed every one of us. The team rose out of this and rose to greatness this year. Shawn's last gift to us was tightening our team."

The word "thank you" was brought up several times during the day, spoken from the mouths of people from Moose Jaw and the 15th Wing, and landed in the direction of the Airmen from Malmstrom and MANG during their visit with their Canadian counterparts.

Major Mitchell echoed those words of thanks and said he hopes to continue the friendship that has blossomed over the course of the spring and summer months.

"I cannot thank you enough for what you folks provided to us when we were down [at Malmstrom]," the Snowbirds commanding officer said. "It was obviously a difficult time, and what we saw has left a wonderful feeling of humanity for most of the people on the team; the way you rose up and provided everything, and a genuine concern for our team and our welfare. It's become an indelible part of the Snowbird experience, and we are connected to Malmstrom, and I hope it continues for many, many years."

Snowbirds honor Team Malmstrom

by Capt. Elizabeth Mathias, 341st Space Wing Public Affairs

6/1/2007 - MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- The Canadian Forces Snowbirds departed Great Falls at 12:45 p.m. June 1 in their distinctive red-and-white jets to return to 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

The team's CT-114 Tutor jets had remained in Great Falls following the team's departure May 21. Maj. Gen. Charles Bouchard, 1 Canadian Air Division commander, and Canadian Forces Flight Safety confirmed May 31 that the aircraft were ready for flight.

The Snowbirds flew over Malmstrom's runway as they left Great Falls, to thank the base for support provided to the team since the crash that claimed the life of Snowbird 2, Capt. Shawn McCaughey, during a rehearsal performance over Malmstrom May 18.

"It's a symbolic flight," said Lt. Petra Smith, Canadian Forces Snowbirds Public Affairs. "The team will fly in an eight-ship formation over the base to express our gratitude for all of the base's support. We will remember the outstanding support we received here and are very thankful for it."

The team's unique performances showcase nine Tutor jets flying precision formation maneuvers; the june 1 formation was the first time the team had flown since the crash May 18.

"Today's fly-over was poignant," said Col. Sandra Finan, 341st Space Wing commander. "It was a tribute to the connection between Malmstrom and the Snowbirds." Members of Team Malmstrom watched the formation from locations across the base.

Tthe team also visited the Montana Veterans Memorial May 31, where a tile bearing Captain McCaughey's name and a maple tree were placed in his honor shortly after the accident. The tile and the tree were donated by individuals living in Great Falls.

"The tile and tree at the Veterans Memorial were a particularly touching gesture," said Lieutenant Smith. "The team paid their respects and took pictures to show Shawn's family and fiance." The Snowbirds also flew over the memorial as they departed Great Falls.

The team planned to arrive in Moose Jaw in formation as well, the first step in returning to their 2007 season, which they will dedicate to the fallen Captain. The team's first performance is scheduled for June 20 in Owen Sound, Ontario.

1 dead in Canadian Snowbirds jet crash

The Canadian Forces Snowbird flight demonstration team lost a pilot during a show rehearsal at Malmstrom Air Force Base yesterday afternoon(5/19/2007).

The Canadian military identified the pilot as Capt. Shawn McCaughey, 31, of Candiac, Quebec. He is the sixth Snowbirds pilot killed in a crash since 1972.

Maj. Robert Mitchell, the Snowbirds' commanding officer, said McCaughey was flying upside down about 300 feet off the ground in a "routine maneuver" when the jet went down. The team had been in the air for about 45 minutes when the crash occurred, said Mitchell, who was flying lead plane. McCaughey made no radio contact and didn't indicate he was having trouble, he said. McCaughey, the only person in the single-engine jet, did not eject. He had been with the Snowbirds for two years.

The team had been scheduled to perform Saturday and Sunday at an open house and sport event at Malmstrom. An event organizer said the open house would continue, but the Snowbirds would not perform. "The team will take an operational pause to remember Shawn McCaughey like we need to, and then we will go back and do the rest of the show season," said Col. Richard Foster, commander of 15 Wing Moose Jaw.

The Snowbirds have been compared to the Navy's Blue Angels. They fly their planes almost daily, year-round - logging 3,700 hours annually.

A Blue Angels pilot died in a crash last month in Beaufort, S.C.

Snowbirds release 2007 show schedule

The Canadian Snowbird flight demonstration team has released their 2007 show schedule. They will attend six airshows in the U.S. this next year.

May
19-20 TBC To be confirmed
23 Penticton BC / Penticton Air Show
26-27 Brandon MB / Brandon Air Show

June
02-03 Portage-la-Prairie MB / Portage-la-Prairie Air Show
06 Kapuskasing ON / Kapuskasing Air Show
09-10 Bagotville PQ / Bagotville Air Show
13 Dalhousie NB / Dalhousie Air Show
16-17 Moncton NB / Moncton Air Show
20 Owen Sound ON / Owen Sound Air Show
23-24 St. Thomas ON / St. Thomas Air Show
27 Kingston ON / Kingston Air Show
30 Cobourg ON / Cobourg Air Show

July
01 Ottawa ON / Ottawa Canada Day Flypast
04 Evansville IN / Evansville Air Show
06 Calgary AB / Calgary Stampede Flypast
07 15 Moose Jaw SK / Moose Jaw 15 Wing
18 The Pas MB / The Pas Air Show
21 Fort McMurray AB / Fort McMurray Air Show
22 Edmonton AB / Edmonton Grand Prix Flypast
25 Fort St. John BC / Fort St. John Air Show
28-29 Peace River AB / Peace River Air Show

August
01 Prince George BC / Prince George Air Show
04-05 Lethbridge AB / Lethbridge Air Show
10-12 Abbotsford BC /Abbotsford Air Show
15 Kelowna BC / Snowbirds Fly for CHILD, Kelowna
18-19 Saskatoon SK / Saskatoon Air Show
25-26 St. Catharines ON / St. Catharines Air Show
29 Candiac PQ / Candiac Air Show

September
01-03 Toronto ON / Toronto Canadian International Air Show
04 Toronto ON / Flypast of the Captain Michael VandenBos School
08-09 Halifax NS / Halifax Air Show
14-16 Reno NV / Reno Air Races
19 Tucumcari NM /Tucumcari Air Show
22-23 Millington TN / Millington Air Show
26 Fayetteville AR / Fayetteville Air Show
29-30 Salinas CA / Salinas Air Show

October
06-07 Houston TX / Houston Air Show
12 Moose Jaw SK / Year End Show