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Every year, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) participates in numerous air shows and special events throughout North America.
The air show audience experiences many exhilarating sights and sounds, including the roar of the CF-18 Hornet as its twin F-404 engines charge the runway and pull up into the dirty roll on take-off, the magnificence of the Snowbirds (431 Air Demonstration Squadron) as they perform their signature nine-ship Canada Burst formation and the crackle of “Contact!” as the solo pilots come over the loudspeakers.
These aerobatic displays inspire and include so many jaw-dropping elements that it can be easy to overlook that fact that what air shows provide is a chance for Canadians to get an up-close opportunity to witness first-hand the capabilities and skills of the RCAF’s men and women.
The RCAF is pleased to release the 2014 event schedules for both of its air demonstration teams: the Canadian Forces Snowbirds and the CF-18 National Demonstration Team.
Both teams will thrill audiences all over Canada and in the United States this summer. Internationally, the Snowbirds will wow crowds at four air shows in the U.S. Meanwhile, the CF-18 Demo Team will make five international appearances, two in California – one at the start of the season and one at the end – plus two in Switzerland and one in Belgium.
“The RCAF is committed to collaborating and cooperating with our international allies and partners,” says LGen Yvan Blondin, Commander of the RCAF. “Both the Swiss and Belgian Air Forces will be celebrating 100 years of military aviation this year and our participation in their shows this summer will enable us to pay a special tribute to them and to this tremendous milestone in their history.”
The air demo teams connect the RCAF with Canadians and demonstrate the outstanding teamwork, excellence, discipline and dedication inherent in our women and men.
As an active partner with the U.S. in the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), it is also important to display to American audiences those same qualities, as well as the powerful capabilities of the CF-18 Hornet as Canada’s principal airspace security platform used in NORAD operations.
“It is very important for the RCAF to demonstrate its capabilities south of our border,” said Major-General Pierre St-Amand, Commander of the Canadian NORAD Region Headquarters and 1 Canadian Air Division, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. “Through our NORAD partnership, our Air Force works intimately with the United States Air Force to ensure our collective skies stay safe. We want our American audiences to see first-hand the kind of air power and flying skills Canada brings to bear, and our CF-18 Demo team shows them that through an amazing show.”
This year marks the 90th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force and both teams will be celebrating this historical year. The Snowbirds’ Tutor jets will feature the RCAF’s 90th Anniversary logo on their tails and the 2014 Demo Hornet will feature dorsal and tail art to embody this commemorative theme.
“431 Air Demonstration Squadron is very excited for the start of the 2014 season, especially as we celebrate the RCAF’s 90th anniversary,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Chris England, the squadron’s commanding officer. “All squadron personnel have worked very hard to reach this point in our preparations, and the entire team looks forward to representing the skill, professionalism and teamwork of the Canadian Armed Forces to our fans, friends and family.”
For the 2014 Snowbirds schedule, click here.
For the 2014 CF-18 Hornet schedule, click here.
