Kamloops says goodbye to two Snowbirds jets as the fleet begins its return home

“We hope at some point there’ll be some sort of resemblance of years past of how we were operating throughout the season,” said Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Denis Bandet.

Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds

Bandet is a man with a passion for flight and confidence in the fleet.

“I wouldn’t be standing here today if I didn’t have the confidence in the airplane to get in, which I’ll be flying one of the aircraft back today.”

The two planes returning to Moose Jaw will enable the Snowbirds to begin training. The rest of the planes will follow at a later date.

“Once we get a few airplanes flying at home we can start getting a few more that we have in Moose Jaw flying again,” Bandet said. “We have to regain some currency on active airplanes because we’ve had some down for maintenance that require test flying.”

Members of Kamloops Fire Rescue arrived at the airport to see the Snowbirds off. They were among the first responders to the crash in Brocklehurst which happened one day after the planes flew into Kamloops as part of Operation Inspiration.

“When we arrived on scene it was evident very early on that this was a big incident,” KFR Assistant Chief Ryan Cail said. “As information came trickling in, we realized the exact details of what had happened. We were heartbroken to not only be there but for the loss of the Snowbirds, and losing Capt. Casey.”

The community felt the loss deeply, erecting a make-shift memorial along the outer fence of the Kamloops Airport and attending a ceremony honouring the fallen Snowbird.

Bandet says pilot Capt. MacDougall is making good strides in his recovery.

“The future, we’re not sure what capacity he’s going to return to, but all I can assure you is that we’re giving him all the time and the support he needs and get back on the road to recovery,” he said.

The City has announced plans to create a permanent memorial for Capt. Casey. Councillor Bill Sarai says that work is being done in collaboration with her family.

“We will accomodate anything possibly that we can to give her a memorial, whether it’s a park, a street name, whatever we can do and they’re okay with it, we’re on board,” Sarai said.

As the planes leave Kamloops, they’re met with the flashing lights of a Kamloops Fire Rescue Truck, as well as a few bystanders catching a glimpse of the planes returning home.

“Knowing the fabric of the people here, and their support,” Bandet said, “we knew that we were in good hands during these tough times.”

by Jill Sperling

Kamloops says goodbye to two Snowbirds jets as the fleet begins its return home

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