Snowbirds celebrate 45 years as a symbol of Canada

A symbol proudly Canadian and proudly Saskatchewan is celebrating a milestone.

The Canadian Snowbirds are marking their 45th anniversary. Dozens of personnel and pilots from the squadron were on hand at the legislature Wednesday, including commanding officer Lieutenant-Colonel Brad Wintrup.

“We’re very, very much aware that Canadians look to us as a piece of their history and we’re happy to be a part of that,” he explained.

The aerobatic team was originally a bomber squadron, then a fighter squadron before landing as an air demonstration team. They currently perform roughly 60 shows across North America each year. Since 1971, the specially-selected pilots have performed at more than 2,500 airshows.

After serving the country as a war fighter–including a stint overseas — Wintrup said joining the Snowbirds can also be looked at as serving and representing the country.

“To be able to be recognized as an icon of Canada or a piece of Canadiana is something completely different and it’s an honour that is difficult to achieve.”

The home of the Snowbirds continues to be 15 Wing Moose Jaw, as it’s been since the team’s inception.