Snowbirds
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Snowbirds
The Snowbirds Demonstration Team (431 Squadron) is a Canadian icon comprised of serving members of the Canadian Forces. Their pilots and technicians work as a team to bring thrilling performances to the North American public. Serving as Canadian ambassadors, the Snowbirds demonstrate the high level of professionalism, teamwork, excellence, discipline and dedication inherent in the women and men of the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian Forces.
2013 Season
This year’s theme, “The Pursuit of Excellence” marks two exceptional milestones: the Squadron’s 70th Anniversary since its founding as a Bomber Squadron during World War II and the 50th Anniverasry of flying the exceptionally robust Canadian designed and built CT-114 Tutor aircraft. The theme embodies the imperative that the Snowbirds, and by proxy, the Canadian Forces are constantly pursuing excellence at all levels from the individual, to the units, to the entire organisation. The pursuit of this essential but purposely unattainable goal is what motivates us all to strive for the highest standards of performance.
From International Space Station
The “Super Canada Goose” formation consisted of 11 Tutor aircraft from 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, widely known as the Snowbirds and one CF-18 Hornet from the CF-18 Hornet Demonstration Team.
During the two minute photo window, as the ISS passed overhead at 28,000km/h, Cmdr Hadfield was able to see the smoke lines 370 km above the earth. One can clearly see the runways at 19 Wing Comox where the Canadian Armed Forces Snowbirds and the CF-18 Demo Team are temporarily based for spring training.
Many Thanks to Commander Chris Hadfield and Major Jeremy Hansen for seeing this project through to success!
Photo courtesy NASA – Cmdr Chris Hadfield
