Travel Journal
17 Wing Armed Forces Day, Portage-la-Prairie, Manitoba.
June 29, 2009
By Capt Jennifer Jones
To kick off the second swing of the 2009 season, the Snowbirds traveled to Southport for the 17 Wing Armed Forces Day.
Despite cool temperatures, thousands turned up and the weather allowed the Team to conduct high shows on both days. This was the Team's first opportunity to perform alongside the Canadian Forces Parachute Team - the SkyHawks.
History was made on Saturday, with the first official Centennial Heritage Flypast featuring all three centennial aircraft: The Century Hornet, the Hawk One F-86 Sabre and the 431 Sqn Golden Centennaire Tutor.
The Snowbirds would like to thank LCol Darryl Shyiak, Capt Rob Ramsay and 17 Wing Servicing for their tremendous support in making the Snowbirds visit to Portage-la-Prairie possible.
The 17 Armed Forces Day featured the first Centennial Heritage Fly Past with all three heritage-themed jets. Photo Credit: Capt Maxime Renaud |
The Snowbirds perform the « lagback cross » maneuvre, a crowd favourite, at the 17 Wing Armed Forces Day. Photo Credit: Capt Jennifer Jones |
Golden Centennaire Portage-la-Prairie Crew : Capt Gregg Wiebe Snowbird 14, and Private Gary Wilson, aviation technician. Photo Credit: Capt Jennifer Jones |
The Snowbirds dedicated Saturday's « heart » maneuvre to longtime Snowbird fan Ms. Jocie Johnston from 1 Canadian Air Division Headquarters. Photo Credit: Capt Jennifer Jones |
Snow-kids Noah Thompson and Tristan Jones watch the finale of the Canadian Forces SkyHawks performance at the 17 Wing Armed Forces Day. Photo Credit: Capt Jennifer Jones |
Steve Will, Hawk One Team Lead and Honorary Snowbird Ric Peterson watch the first Centennial Heritage Flypast featuring all three centennial aircraft.
Photo Credit: Capt Jennifer Jones |
