Canadian Forces Snowbirds hold hometown show, welcome new commanding officer

WATCH: The Canadian Forces Snowbirds are in the swing of their summer tour schedule but were still able to make a stop near their home base.

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds held a weekend show in their hometown as part of efforts to expand the Moose Jaw Municipal Airport.

It was also the first show for the team’s new commanding officer, Lt.-Col. Guillaume Paquet.

Paquet took command on Friday and called it an honour and privilege to put on the uniform and represent the Snowbirds and all Canadians.

“It’s a real pleasure I am excited, [we have] a lot of things coming up, so can’t ask for a better job, it’s the best job in the Air Force,” Paquet said.

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Paquet is not new to the Snowbirds; he first applied and was selected to the team in 2012 and first flew with the team in 2013.

“After that, I had to give my position to someone else and it’s a big wheel, so we have to give opportunities to others who follow behind to get the chance to do the same job,” he explained.

Flying with the Snowbirds in the past, Paquet feels he will be able to approach his role of commanding officer with understanding.

“Having done the job before I can connect in a different way with the team, I understand what the challenges are, I understand how the big machine is working so I can make better informed decisions because I have been in their shoes, I understand their struggles I understand their challenges.”

Performing at home, in Moose Jaw, is always exciting for the team.

“This is our home base, this is our crowd, unfortunately in the last couple years we haven’t really had the chance to perform for our hometown,” Paquet said. “So, I think this is a great opportunity and I think we should probably repeat that same formula in the years to come so that the people supporting us [who are] a part of our community can see what we do.”

Saturday’s show in Moose Jaw marked the last Saskatchewan performance for the 2025 season, according to the Snowbirds’ schedule.

They’ll head to B.C. and Alberta for the remainder of July. The season will wrap up with a show from Oct. 11-12 in San Francisco.