‘Huge success’: Snowbirds land the 2024 season in Moose Jaw

A round of applause from the crowd was heard as the Canadian Forces Snowbirds landed on the runway in Moose Jaw on Friday.

Several hundred people kept their eyes on the sky at 15 Wing for the Snowbirds final demonstration of the year.

Major Brent Handy, Team Lead of the Snowbirds, said he was incredibly proud of the air demonstration squadron’s performance.

“We had our full complement of aircraft available, and they flew extremely well today,” he said. “Couldn’t have asked for (anything) better than that.”

The Snowbirds flew over a crowd of several hundred people closing out the season this afternoon in Moose Jaw. @CJMENews @CKOMNews pic.twitter.com/f75A7aJDUy

— Gillian Massie (@massie_gillian) October 18, 2024

This year, the Snowbirds flew 24 shows in front of millions of people throughout Canada and the United States, he said.

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April 1, 2024 marked the 100 year anniversary of service for the Royal Canadian Air Force. Handy said this show signifies a safe return of all the crew members.

“So in all regards, it’s been a huge success,” he said.

The Snowbirds flew in 24 demonstrations in the 2024 airshow season. (Gillian Massie/ 980 CJME)

The nine planes soar in different formations 10 feet away from each other, but Handy said he never feels nervous because there’s so much rehearsal and preparation.

“Even flying in front of the crowd is not particularly a nerve racking thing because we’ve just done it so often,” he said.

The Snowbirds flew in 24 demonstrations in the 2024 airshow season. (Gillian Massie/ 980 CJME)

When Handy was a kid growing up in Ontario, he said he always wanted to be a Snowbird.“I gotta say it’s a heck of a lot of fun,” he said. “We have the best friendships, we have very tight knit teams, we have challenges, and we meet those challenges.

“That’s really special to be part of.”

The Snowbirds white smoke trails form a heart in the sky. (Gillian Massie/ 980 CJME)