Page 3 - July2020

Snowbirds Op Inspiration-YXE Stop From Cold Lake, the team worked its way down to
Covid-19 has gripped Canada since early 2020.
Healthcare workers and first responders have
been working countless hours; treating
Canadian's who have been afflicted with the
virus. Mirroring their American counterparts, the
Canadian Forces Snowbirds organized a cross-
country tour, to raise Canadian's spirits and
salute frontline medical staff.
Dubbed "Operation Inspiration", the tour would
take the team from the Maritimes to the west
coast of Canada. The team would overfly
hospitals and neighbourhoods in as many cities
as they could possible reach. After returning
from the east coast and eastern Canada, the
team enjoyed a brief day off at their base in
Moose Jaw, and then made their way to
Saskatoon via Regina. The team arrived mid-
morning and made passes over all three of
Saskatoon's hospitals, as well as the Children's
hospital. Once on the ground, the expert
technicians began prepping the jets for the next
leg of their trip, up to 4 Wing Cold Lake, AB.
While on the ground, past met present, when
current team members got to meet a local World
War 2 Vet.
Reg "Crash" Harrison flew both the Halifax and
Lancaster bombers, for 431 Bomber Squadron,
RCAF. In 2018, Reg was made an Honorary
Snowbird by the team. Reg talked about his
wartime experiences and the team pilots who
met him, intently hung on his words. As soon as
the team had landed, the jets taxied to the
runway and departed, but not before making one
final pass over the airport.
The next day, the team returned to 15 Wing
Moose Jaw; being welcomed with an outpouring
of support, from the citizens of Moose Jaw. The
team is now taking some time some much
needed private time to grieve, before gathering
together to plot their next steps.
Edmonton, and then continued west, before arriving in
Kamloops BC, for the evening. Bad weather delayed their
planned overflight of the Okanogan, so the decision was
made to reposition to 19 Wing Comox, and work their way
back to areas they had missed.
Unfortunately, the tour has taken a tragic turn, as one of the
Snowbird aircraft crashed after takeoff from the Kamloops
airport. Both occupants were able to eject from the aircraft,
coming down in a residential neighborhood. The pilot,
Captain Richard McDougall, survived the crash, but
tragically, the team's Public Affairs Officer, Captain Jenn
Casey, lost her life.
In the wake of this tragedy, tributes for Captain Casey and
well wishes for Captain McDougall and the entire Snowbird
team, have been pouring in from all over the world. In the
span of a couple of days, it has become abundantly clear just
what kind of person Jenn was, and the number of lives that
she touched. In my personal dealings with her, she was
always welcoming and very helpful, during my two visits to
the squadron last year. I mourn Jenn's loss, alongside her
friends, family, fellow team members and her extended air
show family. I'd be remiss if I don't mention Captain Richard
McDougall again. I certainly wish him a speedy recovery, as
he has been released from hospital and is now back in
Moose Jaw. My thoughts are with him and the entire
Snowbird team as they rally around Rich.
In the early morning of May 24, the team held and early
morning private ceremony, to say their final goodbyes.
Departing from Abbotsford, the Snowbirds escorted Capt.
Casey to her family in Halifax, where a brief ramp ceremony
was held, before a procession through the city of Halifax,
passing some places of significance in Jenn’s life.