VICTORIA Vancouver Island residents can expect to see and hear fighter jets in the skies later this month as the Royal Canadian Air Force’s CF-18 demonstration team conducts spring training at CFB Comox. The annual event is scheduled to last just over a week, running from May 16 to 24. While the arrival of the aerobatics team often draws onlookers to the Comox region, the demonstration team is asking the public not to gather at or near the base due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “While the team is very excited to be returning for spring training in Comox, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic they request that members of the public follow the public health measures recommended by the Public Health Agency of Canada and the British Columbia Ministry of Health and do not come to 19 Wing Comox to watch the practice,” the team said in a statement Thursday.
After a tragic year and persistent questions about the iconic aerial acrobats' uncertain future, the Snowbirds fly back to their spring training ground
COMOX They’ve returned for their annual training season, but team members of the iconic Canadian Snowbirds team know this will be a very different session. The team arrived in Comox late Tuesday afternoon in preparation for twice-daily practices that will continue here until May 26. “We are extremely excited to go and see the airshows and see the population of Canada. It’s just going to be a weird season for everyone I think,” said team public affairs officer Cpt. Gabriel Ferris. The main difference for the team this year will be the absence of interaction with members of the public due to COVID-19 precautions.
Snowbirds returning to 19 Wing Comox for spring training
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The Canadian Forces Snowbirds are coming back to Comox.
They will be doing their annual spring training at 19 Wing Comox from May 4th to 26.
During this period, the Department of National Defence (DND) says that you can expect to see jet aircraft in the vicinity and that there might be associated jet noise.
“These training flights are carefully planned and closely controlled to ensure public safety at all times and are subject to weather and operational requirements,” DND said in a release.
“While the team is thrilled to return to a community that welcomes them so warmly, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic they request that members of the public follow the public health measures recommended by the Public Health Agency of Canada and the British Columbia Ministry of Health and do not come to 19 Wing Comox to watch the team practise.”
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