Liutenant-Colonel Mike French is now in command of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds. 

At a Change in Command ceremony at 15 Wing Moose Jaw July 11, LCol. French assumed command of the 431 Air Demonstration Squadron from Lieutenant-Colonel Brad Wintrup. 

“My family is thrilled to be posted to Moose Jaw for a third time," said LCol French, who flew with the Snowbirds from 2005-2007. The Langley, B.C. native then remained with the team until the end of the 2009 show season, serving as a Standards Pilot and completing the 2009 season as an Inner Left Wing Pilot. 

"It is an honour and a privilege to be appointed commanding officer of the Snowbirds, Canada's best Royal Canadian Air Force Squadron (RCAF)," LCol French continued. "It is a squadron with a rich war history and a proud tradition of aerial demonstration excellence. I thank the RCAF leadership for putting their trust in me and I look forward to serving with the men and women of the Snowbirds in this new capacity.”  

The Snowbirds performed at the ceremony (photo courtesy: 15 Wing/Mike Leudey)

The Snowbirds are in the midst of their 47th aerobatic season.