Could They Be Disbanded For Budgetary Reasons?

A decision to retire the venerable CT-114A Tutor at Canadian Forces 15 Wing, combined with a remarkably severe budget crunch in the Canadian Defense Ministry has raised urgent questions about the future of the Snowbirds aerial display team.

The flames of that particular fire were recently fanned by leaked Canadian Forces documents that show the armed forces themselves put the Snowbirds last on the list of operations to be funded.

Those flames were further fanned when the Canadian Air Show Association issued a news release saying, in part, "The Canadian Air Show Association (CASA) is deeply concerned about the latest media reports that the Air Force has put the Snowbirds on a list of potential program cuts to help deal with budget shortfalls. CASA says it is clear that relying on the cash-strapped Canadian military to preserve this important national institution has become too risky."

"Funding pressures in the military have reached a critical point and some tough decisions will have to be made. The future of the Snowbirds is very much at risk," said CASA President Rodger Sorsdahl.

There is a Save the Snowbirds group trying to convince Ottawa to change its mind about the military demonstration team. In 2001, members sent 25,000 postcards to the capital, urging lawmakers to continue funding the team.

Canadian Member of Parliament Inky Mark issued a statement last week saying he would propose an amendment to the National Defense Act that would keep the Snowbirds alive. And earlier this month, the Regina Leader-Post reports, Maj. Gen. Steve Lucas, head of air force operations, promised the team would continue to fly until at least 2006.

But concerns about the future of the Snowbirds still run rampant. There is now a movement afoot in Canada to raise private funding for the team.

FMI: www.snowbirds.forces.gc.ca/index_e.asp