No. 431 Squadron RCAF
| 431 Air Demonstration Squadron Snowbirds |
|
|---|---|
Snowbirds in a two-plane formation at the Winnipeg International Air Show 2004
|
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| Active | 25 June 1971 – present (as Snowbirds) 1 April 1978 – present (as 431 Air Demonstration Squadron) |
| Country |
 Canada
|
| Branch |
 Royal Canadian Air Force
|
| Role | Aerobatic flight demonstration team |
| Size | 80 Canadian Forces personnel full time 24 personnel in the show team |
| Part of | 15 Wing Moose Jaw |
| Garrison/HQ | CFB Moose Jaw Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada |
| Nickname(s) | Snowbirds |
| Motto(s) | The Hatiten Ronteriios (Warriors of the air) |
| Colors | White and red |
| Website | www |
| Commanders | |
| Commanding officer | LCol. Damon Brad (Squid) Wintrup |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol |
 |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Trainer | 11 CT-114 Tutors |
Officially known as the Canadian Forces 431 Air Demonstration Squadron (French: 431e escadron de démonstration aérienne), the Snowbirds are Canada's military aerobatics or air show flight demonstration team whose purpose is to "demonstrate the skill, professionalism, and teamwork of Canadian Forces personnel". The squadron is based at 15 Wing, near Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. The Snowbirds are the first Canadian air demonstration team to be designated as a squadron.
The show team flies 11 CT-114 Tutors—nine for aerobatic performances, including two solo aircraft, and two as spares, flown by the team coordinators. Approximately 80 Canadian Forces personnel work with the squadron full-time; 24 personnel are in the show team that travels during the show season. The Snowbirds are the only major military aerobatics team that operates without a support aircraft.
The Snowbirds continue the flying demonstration tradition of previous Canadian air force aerobatic teams, which include the Siskins, the Blue Devils, the Golden Hawks, and the Golden Centennaires.
Although 431 Air Demonstration Squadron was formed in 1978, its history truly begins during the Second World War when as part of the Commonwealth contribution to aircrew for the war in Europe 431 (Iroquois) Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force was created under the control of RAF Bomber Command.
No. 431 Squadron formed on 11 November 1942, at RAF Burn (in North Yorkshire), flying Wellington B.X medium bombers with No. 4 Group RAF Bomber Command. The squadron moved to RAF Tholthorpe in mid-1943 as part of the move to bring all RCAF squadrons into one operational group – No. 6 Group RCAF – and converted to Halifax B.V four-engined heavy bombers. In December 1943 the squadron moved to RAF Croft where it was re-equipped with Halifax III's and later, Lancaster B.X aircraft. The squadron moved to RCAF Station Dartmouth, Nova Scotia after the war, disbanding there on 5 September 1945.
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Wikipedia