Roaring jet engines and white trailing smoke will be filling skies across the Lower Mainland today as the Canadian Forces Snowbirds complete another stop in a nationwide airshow.
Called Operation Inspiration, it was started in 2020 to salute Canadians doing their part to fight the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The team’s signature nine-jet formation will be taking off from YVR airport at 3 p.m. today and you can spot them flying over the following locations at a height of 1,000 feet:
- BC Children’s Hospital
- UBC Hospital
- Stanley Park
- St. Paul’s Hospital
- Vancouver General Hospital
- Lions Gate Hospital
- Burnaby Hospital
- Sunny Hill Health Center
- Ridge Meadows Hospital
- Royal Columbian Hospital
- Surrey Memorial Hospital
- Langley Memorial Hospital
- White Rock Pier
- Peace Arch Hospital
- Delta Hospital
Major-General Eric Kenny, Commander 1 Canadian Air Division says the RCAF’s air demonstration teams are instrumental in connecting the Air Force to the rest of Canada.
“This year we couldn’t think of a better way to continue that momentum than through formally recognizing Operation Inspiration as an enduring mission that will be carried forward by these two teams,” Kenny said in a release.
This summer, the CF Snowbirds will be joined by the CF-18 Demonstration team as well.
The operation also provides an opportunity to carry on the legacy of Captain Jenn Casey, the Snowbirds Public Affairs Officer who lost her life in a crash near Kamloops during the first iteration of the operation in May last year.
“I am so proud of the resilience and professionalism of our air demonstration teams and their successful return following the devastating loss of Captain Casey last year,” said Brigadier-General Denis O’Reilly, Commander 2 Canadian Air Division.
For updates on the Snowbirds flight path, you can check out the team’s official Twitter account.
