The Mayor of Moose Jaw says it was great to see two of the Snowbirds Tutor Jets return back to home base yesterday.

Fraser Tolmie says he is grateful for all the support that Kamloops has shown towards the Snowbirds while the planes were grounded following a crash on May 17.

“We joke around that the Snowbirds are Moose Jaw’s and we just give them out to everybody across Canada during the airshow season. But truly they are an icon of Canada and they do represent everyone from east to west, north to south,” he told NL News. “You know, you’ve had them for a while, but we want them back.”

Tolmie says his community is still saddened by the loss of Capt. Jenn Casey, but he notes they’re also looking forward to welcoming the rest of the Snowbirds fleet back home next week.

“We recognize what it takes to be part of the team and to fly in the military period, because we are a training base. It’s never easy and we are just so proud of the team for the way that they have handled themselves,” he added. “We recognize the loss always, and we never forget that.”

“We were very sad about the news of what happened, but you know, its an opportunity for us when they’re back to be able to give back to [the Snowbirds]. We’re welcoming them with open arms and we’re so grateful to [Kamloops] for looking after them for so long, and we want to say thank you.”

Two Snowbirds Tutor Jets left Kamloops yesterday and the rest of the fleet is expected to follow suit next week. Major Kyle Pilatzke, the Squadron’s Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Officer told NL News there has been a lot of work done over the last three months to ensure that the planes are safe to fly.

Kamloops Won’t Be the City that Grounded the Snowbirds

A Kamloops councillor says he his glad the city won’t be remembered as the community that grounded the Snowbirds.

Speaking to NL News, Bill Sarai says that was a concern he has heard from some residents in the months after the crash. He was asked if the Snowbirds leaving Kamloops yesterday brought any closure to residents.

“I don’t know if closure would be the word, I think a little bit of normalcy that they are going home, they aren’t going to be grounded forever,” he said. “I think that’s part of Brocklehurst too.”

Investigators believe a bird strike was the most likely cause of the crash, which Sarai notes could have happened anywhere.

“I’ve seen the Birds come here many times, I grew up in Abbotsford and saw the air show there. They’re a Canadian icon, around the world. And you can see what goes into putting one plane in the sky,” he said.

“There’s a lot of work that goes into it, and a lot of dedication. And like I said, if the investigation is true, there’s no defense against something like that. “That’s not how Kamloops wants to be remembered.”