Warbird Information Exchange

SNOWBIRDS Announce New Lead and New Team Members

Major Robert Mitchell, 37, of Victoria, B.C., was appointed as the Team Lead and Commanding Officer of 431 (Air Demonstration) Squadron, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, November 14, following a competitive selection process.

"Major Mitchell demonstrated that he has the piloting and leadership skills required to lead the Snowbirds, a squadron with an extremely important mission as Canadian Forces ambassadors," said Major-General Charles Bouchard, Commander, 1 Canadian Air Division. "It is a tremendous honor to be selected as the Team Lead and Commanding Officer of the Snowbirds - I am truly ecstatic," said Major Mitchell. "I am looking forward to a wonderful 2007 show season and to the opportunity of visiting communities across North America."

Major Ian McLean of London, ON., who is retiring from the Canadian Forces, will officially relinquish command to Major Mitchell during a ceremony January 19, 2007 at 15 Wing, Moose Jaw. Major Mitchell, a graduate of the University of Manitoba, joined the Canadian Forces in 1989 and has 3,500 hours of flying high performance aircraft. His experience includes flying the CF-18 Hornet as an operational and air demonstration pilot, and performing on the Canadian Forces Snowbirds Team from 2000 to 2002. Also, two Canadian Forces pilots and five technicians were recently appointed to the Snowbirds. The new pilots are Captain Sean Hanson of Richmond, B.C., and Captain Mark Laverdiere of Orillia, ON. Captain Steve Thompson of Sault Ste. Marie, ON., was selected as Snowbird 11, Team Coordinator. Congratulations to the following Snowbird technicians who were appointed to key 2007 show team positions: Sergeant Marlene Shillingford of Newmarket, ON., crew chief; Master Corporal Tim Collis of Nanton, Alta., deputy crew chief; Corporal Kevin Spooner of Winnipeg, MB., lead aviation technician; Master Corporal Tony Forster of Fort Qu'Appelle, SK., lead avionics technician; and Corporal Tracy Nicholas of Arnprior, ON., technical coordinator.