It’s going to be better than Top Gun, says Connors

By Craig Westcott/March 31, 2023

The Snowbirds will return to CBS this summer.

“I’m not talking about the people who vacation down in Florida in the winter,” said councillor-at-large Paul Connors, who announced the impending visit during last week’s public council meeting.

“We’re excited to welcome the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds airshow back to Conception Bay South on June 23rd and 24th as part of our 50th anniversary celebrations,” he said. “Those who saw the show a few years ago – and I was fortunate because where my house is located, I could watch it right from my patio – will remember that it was spectacular. It was an awesome show over Conception Bay, and it was a real beautiful setting for it. So, I’m telling residents to mark their calendar, they won’t want to miss this, because I think it’s probably going to be better than the Top Gun Maverick movie.”

The 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, as the Snowbirds are officially known, is compromised of some 80 Canadian Forces personnel, 24 of whom make up, including  11 military pilots and technicians. The team is based in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and spends part of the year training out of Comox, British Columbia. The team consists of experienced military pilots and technicians who have to apply for a spot in the squadron. The pilots also must go through a series of try-outs to evaluate their ability to fly in formation.