UPDATE May 18:
“As of now, Operation Inspiration is postponed until further notice, and the entire Snowbird fleet is on an operational pause. Over the coming days the team will re-group, and come together to mourn the loss of our colleague. When appropriate to do so, we will return to 15 Wing Moose Jaw to plan our next steps.” ~ Statement from THE Dept. of National Defence following the death of Capt. Jenn Casey, the team’s Public Affairs Officer, and injuries suffered by Capt. Rich MacDougall when their CF Snowbird crashed May 17 after takeoff from Kamloops.
ORIGINAL STORY:
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds were set to fly over the Okanagan Sunday morning but weather has forced a change of plans.
According to its Twitter page, rain and low visibility in the Okanagan had the Snowbirds looking at options early Sunday morning.
Get daily news
A decision was made later in the morning to preposition to Comox instead.
On their Twitter Page, the Snowbirds said low cloud and poor visibility through some mountain passes makes it unsafe for flying the jets over the Okanagan.
The team of nine aircraft was set to leave Kamloops at 10 a.m.
The precision flying team was supposed to fly to Princeton, Penticton, up to Vernon and then back to Kelowna, with a scheduled landing of 11 a.m.
The Snowbirds promise to come back to the Okanagan on their way home to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
The team is wrapping up its cross-country tour called Operation Inspiration.
Operation Inspiration pays tribute to all Canadians, especially those on the frontlines of the pandemic.
The flyovers are meant to give everyone hope that better days are ahead.
Operation Inspiration began on May 2 in Nova Scotia.
Those wanting to see the Snowbirds in action in the sky are encouraged to do so from their homes, and not gather in any specific locations.
The Snowbirds will continue updating the conditions and planned flyovers on their Twitter page.