MOOSE JAW — With news that the Canadian Forces Snowbirds will retire their fleet of CT-114 Tutor aircraft and go on an extended hiatus until the arrival of new aircraft, there are a lot of implications both for 15 Wing Moose Jaw and the Canadian Armed Forces.
Minister of Defence David McGuinty and Lt.-Gen. Jamie Speiser-Blanchet, commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, faced a host of questions about why the decision was made, and what is next for the Snowbirds, national defence and those at 15 Wing.
Here is a rundown of some of the major highlights regarding the Snowbirds announcement.
Age of the current fleet a challenge
One obvious question that came up was whether the safety of the current aircraft had a role in the decision. The CT-114 Tutor aircraft had been reliable aircraft, but it was well known they were getting up in age, having been in use by the Snowbirds since 1971.
McGuinty acknowledged the government had been working on the issue for some time.
“In fact, I started working on the question of the Snowbirds when I began as minister a year ago, and so what we've been doing is working hand in glove with the Air Force, and the… commander of the Air Force, working hand in glove, and we have every assurance that the fleet is well positioned to serve for another season. And that at that point, the decision was made on the recommendation of the Air Force that we would transition to a new fleet, and that's why we're so proud to be here today to announce that we're acquiring a new fleet, and we're acquiring that fleet directly,” McGuinty said.
It was clear from comments from McGuinty and Speiser-Blanchet that the advancing age of the fleet was a significant issue, so much so that the current fleet is now set to be retired three years earlier than anticipated.
Speiser-Blanchet said there have been “several projects that have worked to increase and extend the life of the Tutor aircraft over many years,” pointing to projects in 2005, 2010 and 2020.
“The more recent one was for a cockpit upgrade and has resulted in 11 of the Tutors currently have new upgraded modernized cockpits, and there are still some that are delivering,” she said.
The government had previously allocated $30 million to extend the lifespan of the aging CT-114 Tutors to 2030. Speiser-Blanchet acknowledged the work that was underway to extend the life of the Tutors to 2030.
“However, some of the airframe engine and escape system programs, feasibility studies were done, and there are some engineering challenges because of the age of the aircraft that have changed that situation, and this is why it will be retiring in 2027 instead of 2030,” she said.
How long until a new fleet?
A big question is how long it will be until the new fleet of Snowbirds flies again. The news release stated it will not be until the 2030s before a new fleet takes to the air.
McGuinty made it known it would not be a long “three or four or five year process of procurement.”
“We know what aircraft we're going to be procuring (the CT-157 Siskin II). We're moving quickly to do so, and we'll obtain them as quickly as we can,” he said.
But when pressed on how long it will be until the Snowbirds fly again, McGuinty reiterated that “we're moving as quickly as we can. That's our plan.”
“We are, as I say, we have down-selected to one aircraft, and so those negotiations are underway with the manufacturer, and we intend to procure those aircraft as quickly as we possibly can, but we need to work with the manufacturer. We need to make sure that we receive them in graduated form. It will take some time for them to roll off the production line, but we're moving as quickly as we possibly can,” he said.
What happens to the squadron members at 15 Wing?
Speiser-Blanchet said with the official announcement, work will now begin on developing plans following this show season.
“So the team and the squadron are going to focus on the 55th year and the amazing season that is ahead, and then after that, the plans for the temporary drawdown of the squadron will take place. It will happen over time, so we don't have a specific list of activities at this point in time. However, the squadron members will all eventually be reassigned to other roles. Though I'll note it's very important, and I've spoken with the members, to ensure that we preserve their experience and their knowledge for the time that comes when the new aircraft is ready to take on the role,” she said.
McGuinty said the plan is that “everyone who is here, presently engaged, will be deployed, will continue with their work, and will help to lay ground for a new and massive pilot training initiative in this country,” referring to the Future Aircraft Training Program.
He called this a “multibillion-dollar investment in our future aircraft and pilot capacity.”
“It's important for Canadians to remember we've got dozens and dozens of aircraft on order, radar, of course, a fighter fleet, other types of aircraft, this new Pilatus acquisition. So we're actively implementing a plan to rebuild, rearm, and to strengthen the Canadian Air Force,” McGuinty said.
Will they still be called the Snowbirds?
McGuinty confirmed the new fleet will continue to be known as the Snowbirds and remain stationed at 15 Wing, “where we believe the fleet belongs,” he said.
He called the women and men at 15 Wing the experts.
“They have invested in this fleet. It's a huge part of Canadian society, in my view. It's an iconic representation. It is something that we cherish. Our kids remember. I remember as a child seeing the Snowbirds, and then I remembered I didn't have the engineering ability to become a pilot. The point is, this is where the Snowbirds are, and this is where the Snowbirds belong, and this is where the Snowbirds will stay,” McGuinty said.
What does it mean for the Moose Jaw base?
McGuinty said he believes the announcement is good news for Moose Jaw and the base.
“One thing which is pretty clear for us, which is we're committed to Moose Jaw,” McGuinty said of 15 Wing. “This is an indispensable part as a wing of the 33 wings and bases across the country. It will continue to play a leading role in the Air Force. It will play a leading role in the training, mentoring of pilots, of aircraft technicians who come in and come out, train, begin here, move on to another location, come back. This really does indicate, I think for us, that this is a priority area."
McGuinty also pointed to investments the government is making in the Moose Jaw area to prepare for the future.
"There will be infrastructure investments here, housing investments, water and wastewater systems, extensions of runways, housing, some buildings. All of this is now being executed in terms of the plan through our real property division in the department and working with the Canadian Armed Forces and the Commander here. This is, I think, a very good day for Moose Jaw and a very good day for the Wing here because it illustrates that we are aware of the importance of investing here in Moose Jaw and, for that matter, the importance of investing in Saskatchewan,” McGuinty said.
