Page 24 - November 2017

THE MOTIVATION OF A PRAIRIE BOY For me the seed had been planted in the summer of
By LCol (Ret’d) Dan Dempsey, CD 1959 when I had witnessed my first airshow during
National Airforce Day at RCAF Stn Rockcliffe in
th
Friday, October 20 dawned a beautiful day in Moose Ottawa. I distinctly recall being mesmerized by the
Jaw, Saskatchewan. It was one of those stunning fall
six golden Sabres of what was then Canada’s
days you truly appreciate before the winds of winter
national aerobatic team, the RCAF Golden Hawks.
arrive on the prairies – a bright blue sky, warm
temperature and only a breath of wind. But it was also
a special day for another reason – it was the last show
day for the 2017 edition of the Canadian Forces
Snowbirds, officially designated 431 (Air
Demonstration) Squadron. In an annual tradition that
now spans 47 years, it was time for the team to say
thank you and pay tribute to their families and the
personnel of 15 Wing Moose Jaw who had supported
them through another long season. They did so in
grand style with a graceful show of pride and precision
The RCAF Golden Hawks flew their last airshow season in 1963. (RCAF Photo
that has become the hallmark of the Snowbirds from
the outset of their very first performances back in What a thrill it was for the thousands of kids in
attendance to watch them fly, scores of whom
1971.
would surge to the fence line after the show on that
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beautiful day of June 6 in a quest to get the pilots’
autographs.

Having moved to Calgary in the summer of 1961
where my father served at RCAF Stn Lincoln Park, I
was soon to have another encounter with the
Golden Hawks that would firmly set in motion my
future in aviation. The day prior to their show over
Lincoln Park in August 1963, my father had taken me
out to McCall Field, Calgary’s International Airport,
to watch the Hawks return from a practice. As we
The Snowbirds salute the spectators at 15 Wing Moose Jaw following their final stood alone along a gravel road separated from the
show of the 2017 season. (Ken Lin)
taxiway by only a snow fence, much to my awe the
Led this year by Major Pat Gobeil under the command seven Sabres resplendent in their Golden Hawk
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of LCol Mike French, it was the 2,618 official airshow
livery taxied right past us in their tight show
of the Snowbirds’ remarkable legacy. Nostalgia ran
formation. To my 10-year-old eyes, it was pure
especially deep for five pilots and the deputy crew magic to see the aircraft up this close. And what
chief of the team on that day, for it was to be their last
really made the day special was a wave to me from
show as a Snowbird. Special tribute was also made to the pilot at the back of the formation, Gold 7. It was
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the 75 anniversary of 431 (Bomber) Squadron which
many years before I finally figured out who that pilot
had been formed in England on November 11, 1942, was, veteran RCAF fighter pilot F/L Bill Grip, the
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the 28 RCAF squadron formed overseas during World second solo on the 1963 team. The next day
War II. As I watched the joy on the faces of those
following their airshow over Lincoln Park the team
watching the show, especially the children, I could not
pilots returned to the station from McCall Field by
help but wonder how many would end up in aviation helicopter. I was waiting for them along with many
careers? And for me personally, it was impossible not
more kids eager to get their autographs. I still have
to be taken back in time to the memories of when a
that little card with all of their signatures, now a
similar team had first inspired me to fly. treasured souvenir.