The skies just south of Moose Jaw were filled with Canada’s nine twinkly lights, better known as the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, as they kicked off their 2022 airshow season on Thursday, at 15 Wing Moose Jaw.

The 431 Demonstration Squadron performed their private acceptance show in front of family, fellow military personnel, dignitaries, and the media, to get the stamp of approval on their demonstration.  

Formations and maneuvers were performed for just under 45 minutes, as the Snowbirds showed off their tricks, and put all their training into action.  

Major Brett Parker, who flies Snowbird 1 and is the Team Leader, showed his gratitude for his team following the performance, even though there were some bumps along the way, mid-flight.  

“Moose Jaw proved to do what it normally does and throw some fun weather bumps, and we always seem to have those funny bumps that throw us around,” says Major Parker. “The team did a great job today; we were pretty ecstatic. We had some challenges getting through even the whole show with fuel and efficiency.” 

“It was nice to see that all the hard work that everybody has put in, over the past six months, was really starting to materialize,” adds Major Parker.  

Major Parker noted it has been a bumpy ride for the Snowbirds over the past year with the COVID-19 pandemic, and the weather. 

“Even when we went out to Comox to what we would say is traditionally the opportunity to put the show together out in Comox, the weather out there wasn’t the greatest. There’s always just stop gaps that seem to always infringe on what we were trying to get to.” 

During their time in B.C., the pilots were in the air two to three hours a day, six days a week.  

However, because of the delay in spring training the Snowbirds were only able to practice parts of their show. The season was scheduled to begin in May, but shows in Florida, Michigan, and New York were cancelled.   

Also, in attendance to take in the performance was Moose Jaw Mayor, Clive Tolley, who thought the routine was fabulous.  

“We’re lucky enough here in Moose Jaw to be the first ones to see the show,” says Tolley. “The show was fabulous today. It’s a little bit bumpy in the air, but their precision is incredible. I’m glad to see they left in my favourite move, which is called the legged-back cross.” 

Included in their routine are ten different formations, which are the Canada Goose, Big Wedge, Maple Split, Card Seven, Canada Burst, Knife Edge, Double Take, 4 Way Cross, Shuttle, and the Palm. 

There is no rest for the wicked, as the Moose Jaw-based Snowbirds will continue to train over the next week, and then make the 2,400-kilometre trip east to CFB Borden in Ontario for their first official show of the season on June 18 and 19.  

Over the next four and a half months the Snowbirds will be performing at 25 air shows across Canada and in the United States. They will finish their 2022 schedule in Santa Maria, CA, on October 15 and 16.  

Some of the bigger events Major Parker and the Snowbirds are excited about this summer is the Abbotsford International Airshow on August 5-7, the CNE in Toronto, CFB Cold Lake, their Canada Day flyover in Ottawa, and their stop in London, ON.  

“We’re really looking forward to getting going on the show season, and I think everyone is excited about it.” 

Serving as ambassadors of the CA, the CF Snowbirds demonstrate a high level of skill, professionalism, teamwork, discipline, and dedication inherent in the personnel of the CAF and they inspire the pursuit of excellence wherever they go in North America. 

You can see the Snowbirds' full airshow schedule here.