It was a cloudy day in Kamloops, British Columbia on May 17, 2020, when Capt. Jenn Casey joined Capt. Richard MacDougall in the plane he was flying during a Snowbirds’ demonstration.
The flight was part of the Snowbirds’ Operation Inspiration, a cross-country tour designed to boost Canadians’ spirits during the pandemic. Casey was the public affairs officer for the squadron and had been with the unit since 2018.
According to investigators, the plane crashed after a bird flew into the engine of the CT-114 aircraft. Casey and MacDougall ejected, but their parachutes failed to deploy properly since they were at such a low altitude.
Casey was killed, while MacDougall survived but suffered major injuries.
One year later, the Snowbirds — also known as 431 Air Demonstration Squadron — are honouring Casey and her commitment to the Canadian Forces.
“Jenn Casey embodied the very best of what it means to be a Snowbird. Enthusiastic, warm, witty, a true team play, a leader and an innovative powerhouse,” squadron commander Lt.-Col. Denis Bandet said in a news release. “The trust that we had in her to connect with the public was absolute.”
The Snowbirds’ core mission is to inspire the public while also representing the great men and women of the Canadian Forces, of whom Casey was one of the best, he continued.
Casey’s role in the Snowbirds’ success was evident during last year’s Operation Inspiration, where she connected the squadron to millions of Canadians through social media and media interviews, Bandet said.
“She was the true force and heart behind Op INSPIRATION, and it was thanks to her hard work and dedication that the mission was so successful,” he added.
This year the Snowbirds will again fly under Operation Inspiration and carry on Casey’s legacy during air shows and flybys throughout Canada and the United States. The 2021 CF-18 Demonstration Team will also join the Snowbirds during its mission, which Bandet said is noteworthy since the Snowbirds asked her to join the team after her commendable work as the public affairs officer in 2018 for the CF-18 demo team.
“We are delighted to continue pursuing Jenn’s vision of inspiration and connection,” he added. “We know it would put a smile on her face to see how many of you she touched and to see the outpouring of love coming from Canadians all over the country and around the world.”
The Snowbirds kick off their 2021 tour on June 12-13 in Michigan and complete Operation Inspiration on Oct. 9-10 in Texas. The squadron does not have any dates in Saskatchewan. The closest demonstration to Moose Jaw is on July 24-25 in Calgary.
