By Michael Martin, EAA 1047599, Toronto, Ontario
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds are a classic symbol, and they are about as Canadian as one can ever be. The RCAF’s motto is: Per Ardua Ad Astra — Through adversity to the stars.
It is a fitting motto as the Snowbirds will be the true stars of AirVenture this summer — the marquee performers.
The CF Snowbirds, 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, are a Canadian icon comprised of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and National Defence Public Service employees.
Pilots, technicians (aviation, avionics, aircraft structure, supply), mobile support operators, resource management support clerks, an engineering officer, a logistics officer, and a public affairs officer representing all three elements (Army, Navy, and Air Force), work as a team to bring thrilling performances to the Canadian public. Serving as ambassadors of the CAF, the Snowbirds demonstrate the high level of skill, professionalism, teamwork, discipline, and dedication inherent in the men and women of the CAF and they inspire the pursuit of excellence wherever they go in North America.
So, it is fitting that the Snowbirds will perform at several of the EAA AirVenture 2024 daily air shows this summer in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the RCAF is important and EAA is embracing its Canadian neighbours and joining into the festivities.
With the excellent help and support of Capt. Phillip Rochon, the CF Snowbirds public affairs officer, EAA Canada Council enjoyed the unique opportunity to sit down with the inspiring Maj. Brent Handy, who is Snowbird 1 and the team lead, to learn about this prestigious military team and some Canadian history as well as news about the Snowbirds.
EAA-CC met the major on Wednesday, June 12, in advance of the team’s air show performance in Barrie, Ontario, to be delivered over the Father’s Day weekend. The Snowbirds arrived at the Lake Simcoe Regional Airport the day prior to prepare and get situated for the Barrie Airshow. Our goal and purpose for meeting was to discuss the special times ahead in July and the planning for the team to display their capabilities at the upcoming AirVenture 2024 event. The Snowbirds will deliver a comprehensive practice routine on July 26, and then deliver complete performances on July 27, and July 28, as the marquee performance for this year’s annual aviation gathering.
The show team flies 11 CT-114 Tutors: nine for aerobatic performances, including two solo aircraft, and two spares, flown by the team coordinators. Additionally, 13 are maintained in storage.
Many other Canadian aviators and historical RCAF airplanes will also attend this year’s AirVenture such as the RCAF elite CF-18 demonstration airplane. The show will also see three Canadian-owned World War II fighters — a P-51 Mustang, Spitfire, and Hurricane — both on display and in the air to celebrate the heritage of the RCAF.
Maj. Handy is a 23-year veteran of the RCAF. During his tenure, he took two years off to teach at the International Test Pilots School (ITPS) in London, Ontario, flying the L-29, and to perform intense flip-flop aerobatics in his Pitts S-2 biplane. He then returned to the RCAF to oversee standards and teach future pilots in the Hawk II jet for preparation to fly the CF-18. More recently he was named to be the Snowbirds team lead flying in Snowbird 1.
Brent was raised in nearby Wyevale, Ontario. And like any teenager who was bitten by the aviation bug, he learned to fly gliders in the Air Cadets and worked as a ‘ramp hand’ pushing around airplanes and pumping fuel into private airplanes. Aviation is coded into his DNA from a very early age.
He earned his private pilot licence at Windsor Airport (CYQG), Ontario, at 17 years old. With its huge commercial 9,000-foot and 5,000-foot runways and vast aprons, he easily handled the smaller training airplanes like a pro on these giant runways. When back in the Barrie area, he took his father for a first flight at the Midland/Huronia Airport (CYEE) in a rented Cessna 172. In comparison, the less than 4,000-foot runway at Huronia was tiny and Brent questioned if he could safely land on the runway that felt more like a side way compared to the sizeable Windsor runways.
During the team’s approach into Lake Simcoe Regional Airport (CYLS) they overflew the Huronia Airport which brought back some wonderful memories for Brent.
The RCAF is celebrating its centenary this year. The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force began in 1914, with the formation of the Canadian Aviation Corps (CAC) that was attached to the Canadian Expeditionary Force during WWI. “It consisted of one aircraft that was never called into service.”
In 1918, a wing of two Canadian squadrons called CAF was formed in England and attached to the Royal Air Force, but it also would never see wartime service. Postwar, an air militia also known as the Canadian Air Force was formed in Canada in 1920.
“In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) when it was granted the royal title by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968.”
The modern RCAF, formerly known as Canadian Forces Air Command, traces its history to the unification of Canada’s armed services in 1968, and is one of three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces. RCAF has served in WWII, the Korean War, several United Nations peacekeeping missions, and NATO operations. “The force maintained a presence in Europe through the second half of the 20th century.”
The modern RCAF has a direct link to the greater Barrie area, as the early days saw the military venture into air defence consisting of providing refresher training to former WWI wartime pilots via a small part-time, non-permanent air militia known as the Canadian Air Force (CAF) at the old Royal Flying Corps air station, Camp Borden. Political thinking at the time was that proposing a permanent military air service, especially during peacetime, would not be popular with the public. “This training scheme began in July 1920 and ended in March 1922 with no new pilots trained.”
The outbreak of the Second World War saw the RCAF fielding eight of its eleven permanent operational squadrons, but by October 1939 15 squadrons were available (12 for homeland defence, three for overseas service). Twenty types of aircraft were in service at this point, over half being for training or transport, and the RCAF started the war with only 29 front-line fighter and bomber aircraft. The RCAF reached peak strength of 215,000 (all ranks) in January 1944. By the end of the war the RCAF would be the fourth largest Allied air force. Approximately 13,000 RCAF personnel were killed while on operations or died as prisoners of war. Another 4,000 died during training or from other causes.
During the war, the RCAF was involved in three areas: the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), home defence, and overseas operations.
In 1939, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand agreed to train aircrew for wartime service. The training plan, known as the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, was administered by the Canadian government, and commanded by the RCAF; however, a supervisory board with representatives of each of the four involved countries protected the interests of the other three countries. Training airfields and other facilities were located throughout Canada. Although some aircrew training took place in other Commonwealth countries, Canada’s training facilities supplied the majority of aircrew for overseas operational service.
Schools included initial training schools, elementary flying training schools, service flying training schools, flying instructors schools, general reconnaissance schools, operational training units, wireless schools, bombing and gunnery schools, a flight engineers’ school, air navigation schools, air observer schools, radio direction finding (radar) schools, specialist schools, and a few supplementary schools. The BCATP contributed over 130,000 aircrew to the war effort.
From these amazing early days, the RCAF has changed and adapted along with global events from the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and many more events that required our presence. Canada has earned its reputation as being capable and ready to serve when called upon. In more modern times, Canada supported and worked at peacekeeping. The RCAF has served the needs of Canadians and other citizens of the world, whenever and wherever Canada is needed.
It has been a history of honour and distinction that has forever shaped our nation and given us all the standard of living that we enjoy today.
April 1, 2024, marks 100 years of service for the RCAF as a distinct military element. This year, the RCAF is honouring its distinct heritage.
The centennial milestone places the RCAF in a unique position to honour its distinct heritage; recognize its tremendous people today; and generate excitement for its bright future. This is an opportunity to fuel internal and external support in the organization that instills pride in Your Air Force, while creating an enduring legacy that propels the institution forward into its next century of service. Canada’s Air Force will be showcased in a past, present, and future context, with a focus on highlighting contributions to national safety and security, international peace, and global stability.
The RCAF centennial is an opportunity to highlight Air Force personnel and their accomplishments, demonstrate air and space power, enhance the reputation of the RCAF, and proudly honour its distinguished history and heritage.
When in Oshkosh for AirVenture, not only will you be able to watch the Snowbirds’ stunning performances, but you can meet the pilots and crew and get autographs of these stars of aviation too.
Our American friends know firsthand the importance of the RCAF and how Canada has stood side-by-side with the United States time and again to help make the world a safer, free, and better place for all to live.
Maj. Handy says it best, “The CF Snowbirds are all keen and delighted to engage in the EAA’s AirVenture 2024 event in Oshkosh. It is heartwarming for us to see Canadians, Americans, and the entire world join in these 100th anniversary celebrations. The Snowbirds are especially thrilled to participate in this prestigious event”.
Will we see you at AirVenture this year in Oshkosh? If ever there was a year to be there for Canadians, this is truly the year.
Photography by Ken Mist.