2 weeks after crash, Snowbirds back in the air

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds are flying their jets home from Great Falls, Mont.

The team had left their CT-114 Tutor jets at the Great Falls International Airport after the crash that killed Capt. Shawn McCaughey on May 18.

At the Malmstrom Air Base in Montana, Maj. Cory Blakely, a Snowbird and close friend of McCaughey, said he had mixed emotions.

"You know, the last time we flew was during the accident and that's going to bring up a lot of memories and I'm sure the guys are compartmentalizing that and just getting on with the task at hand," he said.

McCaughey was going through a routine manoeuvre during a practice outside the Montana airbase when his plane suddenly plummeted to the ground. A full military funeral was held at 15 Wing Moose Jaw on May 25.

Investigators are still looking into the cause of the crash.

Team members flew to Great Falls Thursday in a CC-130 Hercules. Because of weather, they spent the night, with plans to return to the Moose Jaw Air Base by 10:30 a.m. Friday in their own Tutor jets. It will be the first time they have flown the planes since the crash.

Military officials said the jets have been checked over and are ready for flight.

"Everybody is excited but with a certain amount of caution. They want to make sure that they're on their game," said Blakely.

Blakely said the team, including all the technicians and operational staff, planned to spend the evening in Montana together for the first time since the funeral.

He said they would "probably raise a glass to Shawn once or twice during the night."

Many of McCaughey's teammates also visited the Veterans Memorial Wall in Great Falls. A veteran there has paid to have McCaughey's name put up on a plaque on the wall. A maple tree has also been planted in McCaughey's honour.

'Opened their hearts'

Blakely said the team plans to do a fly-by of the Malmstrom Air Base when they leave to thank everyone there for the support they received.

"Malmstrom Air Force Base has been absolutely outstanding to us and there's no doubt in my mind that they considered us allies and close friends," said Blakely. "I think most Canadians wouldfind it inspirational to see the degree to which they have opened their hearts to us."

The Snowbirds have offered to perform at the Malmstrom air show next year and have asked staff at the Malmstrom base to come to Moose Jaw in October for the final show of the Snowbirds season.

The Snowbirds 2007 season will be dedicated to McCaughey. The team is expected to begin practising Friday afternoon and resume its airshow schedule in Owen Sound, Ont., on June 20.

Former Snowbird pilot Capt. Paul Couillard will rejoin the team and fly in McCaughey's position.