Photo Info

Canadian Forces Snowbirds complete 2024 show season 

Department of National Defence Press Release | October 30, 2024

Estimated reading time 6 minutes, 35 seconds.

On Oct. 18, 2024, the Canadian Forces (CF) Snowbirds concluded their 2024 season with the Home Closer show at 15 Wing in Moose Jaw, Sask., marking the end of their 53rd show year. 

The Home Closer provides the team an opportunity to thank their family, friends and other members of 431 Squadron’s ‘home team’ in Moose Jaw that provides logistical, technical and administrative support while the show team is traveling. 

Since May, the Snowbirds have performed over 40 displays at more than 20 locations across Canada and the United States (US). Highlights included their participation in the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Canada Day Mass Flypast, and other celebrations in recognition of the RCAF’s centennial. 

The season was further distinguished by collaborations with renowned allied air demonstration teams, including the Italian Air Force’s Frecce Tricolori, the Royal Air Force’s Red Arrows, the U.S. Air Force’s Thunderbirds, and the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels. 

The team, consisting of 11 pilots, 17 technicians, one public affairs officer, two material management support technicians, and three mobile support equipment operators, will now take a well-deserved break before training for the 2025 season. 

The 2024 Canadian Forces Snowbirds display team in front of one of the team’s CT-114 Tutor Aircraft. Canadian Forces Snowbirds Photo

Looking ahead, 2025 will mark the CF Snowbirds’ 54th show season, with the initial schedule set to be announced in the winter. 

“I take great pride in the members of the 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, both the home and display teams, for their outstanding effort throughout the 2024 show season. Their commitment enabled us to deliver safe and exhilarating air displays for audiences in Canada and the United States, especially as we celebrate the Royal Canadian Air Force’s centennial year. We remain dedicated to showcasing the skill, professionalism, and teamwork that embody the Canadian Armed Forces, and we eagerly anticipate the 2025 show season,” said LCol Jean-Francois Dupont, Commanding Officer, 431 Air Demonstration Squadron (Snowbirds). 

“It has been an honour to lead the Snowbirds during the 2024 show season, as we celebrated the centennial of the Royal Canadian Air Force. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the dedicated members of the display team, both pilots and support staff, for their commitment to excellence and for showcasing the best of the Canadian Armed Forces. I also want to express gratitude to our families for their unwavering support during our time away from home. We hope our displays and interactions with fans have inspired many to pursue their goals and dreams. We look forward to seeing everyone in 2025 for our 54 years of demonstrating aviation excellence,” said Maj Brent Handy, Snowbird 1, Team Lead. 

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds flying in the Big Diamond formation during the Amigo Airshow in El Paso, Texas, on Oct. 13 2024. Canadian Forces Snowbirds Photo

Quick Facts 

  • The mission of the CF Snowbirds is to showcase the skill, professionalism, and teamwork of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) while serving to inspire the best in all Canadians. They embody the core values of esprit de corps, professionalism, and selfless service that define members of the CAF. 
  • As the only team in North America to perform with nine aircraft in close formation, the CF Snowbirds require exceptional piloting skills. Their pilots average 15 years of military experience and have logged thousands of flight hours in various aircraft. The technicians, equally skilled and dedicated, exemplify a strong spirit of teamwork. 
  • The CF Snowbirds kicked off the 2024 Show Season in May at the Comox Armed Forces Day at 19 Wing, Comox, B.C., and concluded their public performances in October at the Amigo Airshow in El Paso, Tex. Throughout the season, the team traveled across six provinces, one territory, and performed at four locations in the U.S. 
  • The team travelled over 23,000 kilometres over 150 days of the show season. In addition to performances, the team had the opportunity to conduct several outreach activities with aviation schools and a children’s hospital. 
  • The team had the honour of flying alongside the Italian Air Force Freece Tricolori in Ottawa and with the Royal Air Force Red Arrows in both Ottawa and Toronto. 

This press release was prepared and distributed by Canada’s Department of National Defence. 

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

RCAF: CP-140 Aurora

Notice a spelling mistake or typo?

Click on the button below to send an email to our team and we will get to it as soon as possible.

Report an error or typo

Have a story idea you would like to suggest?

Click on the button below to send an email to our team and we will get to it as soon as possible.

Suggest a story