• Ontario

Snowbirds impress at CNE airshow once again.

Two jets in tight formation

The Canadian International Air Show (CIAS) is Canada's largest and longest-running aviation display; and one of the largest air shows in North America! Over its six-decade-plus history, the CIAS has been proud to feature many air show 'firsts' including appearances by the Concorde, F-22 Raptor, the V-22 Osprey and more! Powered by the incredible efforts of almost 200 volunteers, the CIAS continues to thrill air show fans from around the world with its diverse line-up of aviation awesomeness each Labour Day weekend at the CNE. The highlight of each years show is Canada’s own Snowbirds.

Tight formation

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds is a Canadian icon comprised of serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces. Their pilots and technicians work as a team to bring thrilling performances to the North American public. Serving as Canadian ambassadors, the Snowbirds demonstrate the Skill, Professionalism and Teamwork inherent in the women and men of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and the Canadian Armed Forces.
This year, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain as well as the courageous airmen and hardworking ground crew who sacrificed so much during this difficult time in history. The Battle was waged over a period of just over three months from July 11 until October 31, 1940.

Test photo caption

The Battle of Britain was the first military confrontation won by air power and Germany’s first defeat in the war. For the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Battle of Britain was the first opportunity to fight as Canada’s Air Force and represents a significant milestone in the organization’s history.
Approximately 103 Canadians flew in the Battle of Britain, mainly as members of No. 1 Fighter Squadron RCAF, later renamed 401 Fighter Squadron, and in the Royal Air Force’s 242 “All Canadian” Squadron. Much of their success is owed to the 300 Canadians who served as ground crew and worked around the clock to fix broken aircraft in order to have them in the air for the next attack.
The Battle of Britain is commemorated every year on the third Sunday of September. On this day, the German Luftwaffe launched their largest bombing attack of the conflict, but thanks to the brave aircrew and ground crew, the Luftwaffe was pushed back and marked a turning point in the conflict.

Test 2 photo caption

431 Air Demonstration Squadron has its roots in the Second World War as a Bomber Squadron formed in 1942. Despite not participating in the Battle of Britain, members of 431 Squadron have, throughout their existence, shared a similar work ethic with those brave few who served in the Battle of Britain.

“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”
-British Prime Minister Winston Churchill