SNOWBIRD!SQUADRON! - California Capital Airshow

 SNOWBIRD SQUADRON MEMBERS AIR DISPLAY FLIGHT TEAM Snowbird 1 -­‐ Major Patrick Gobeil Team Lead Major Patrick Gobeil graduated from the Centre Québécois de Formation Aéronautique (CQFA) in 1995 where he acquired a commercial license with multi-­‐engine and instrument ratings. Enrolling in the Canadian Forces two years later, he graduated in 2000 at Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, receiving his Wings, and also the City of Portage La Prairie Flying Achievement Award. In 2001, Major Gobeil was transferred to Moose Jaw as a Flying Instructor with 2 Canadian Forces Flying School (2 CFFTS), accumulating over 500 instructional hours on the CT-­‐156 Harvard II. In 2003, he was selected to fly with the Canadian Forces Snowbirds for the 2004 to 2006 seasons as the Outer Right Wing pilot, Snowbird 6. In 2007, he completed his fighter lead-­‐in training on the CT-­‐155 Hawk in Cold Lake, Alberta. After completion of the CF-­‐18 training at 4 Wing's 410 Squadron, Major Gobeil was posted to 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron, Les Alouettes, in Bagotville in early 2009. While at 425 Squadron, Major Gobeil participated in multiple domestic exercises in support of the Army High Readiness Training and NORAD missions. In 2013, Major Gobeil returned to 431 Air Demonstration Squadron to lead the team as Snowbird 1. Over the course of his career he has accumulated over 4,600 flying hours in different types of civilian and military airplanes, of which nearly 3,500 hours have been flown in high performance military aircraft. M
Snowbird 2 -­‐ Captain Avert Pyne Inner Right Wing Captain Avert Pyne from Victoria, British Columbia joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 2001 under the Regular Officer Training Program (ROTP) through which he completed a Bachelor of Arts in Economics at the University of Victoria. Prior to commencing military pilot training, Captain Pyne began his aviation training through the Royal Canadian Air Cadets at 676 Kittyhawk Squadron. While involved with the Air Cadet program, he completed glider training in Comox in the summer of 1998 and then his private pilot’s license in the summer of 1999 in Kelowna. After receiving his wings in 2004, Captain Pyne was posted to 443 (MH) Squadron in Victoria, British Columbia to fly the CH-­‐124 Sea King helicopter where he participated in various exercises and operations. In 2011, Captain Pyne was posted to 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (CFFTS) 15 Wing Moose Jaw where he instructed on the CT-­‐156 Harvard II. While at 2 CFFTS, Captain Pyne held several positions including flight commander, eventually receiving an A2 instructor category and progressing to instruct at the Flight Instructor School (FIS). Captain Pyne joined the Canadian Forces Snowbirds in 2014 and brings over 2,800 hours of military flying experience to the team. He flies the number 2 aircraft in the Inner Right Wing Position. Snowbird 3 -­‐ Captain Bart Postma Inner Left Wing Captain Bart Postma from Clinton, Ontario joined the Canadian Forces in 1997 under the Community College Entry Plan (CCEP). After obtaining a private license from Western Air Services in 1991 in Goderich, Ontario, Bart moved on to Confederation College in Thunder Bay. There he acquired a Commercial License and Float Rating with diplomas in both Aviation Flight Management and Aircraft Maintenance before joining the military. After receiving his wings in 2000, Captain Postma was posted to 443 Squadron in Victoria, British Columbia to fly the Sea King helicopter. In 2001 he took part in Operation Apollo, Canada’s contribution to the international campaign against terror following the September 11 attacks. He flew numerous missions throughout the South Pacific, the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman obtaining over 1800 hours in the Sea King helicopter. In 2005 Bart was posted to 406 Squadron where he served as an OTU instructor, Waterbird Instructor and also served one year as a Maritime Helicopter Standards Training and Evaluation pilot. In 2009, Captain Postma was posted to 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (CFFTS) 15 Wing Moose Jaw where he instructed on the CT-­‐156 Harvard II attaining over 1,800 flying hours. He also worked as instructor at the Flight Instructor School and obtained an A2 instructional Category. Captain Postma joined the Snowbirds in 2013 and brings over 4,000 hours of Military and Civilian flying experience to the team. He flies the number 3 aircraft in the Inner Left Wing Position. Snowbird 4 -­‐ Captain Philippe Roy First Line Astern Captain Philippe Roy, from Gatineau, Québec joined the Canadian Forces in 2003 under the Direct Entry Officer plan after graduating from Ottawa University with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering. After receiving his wings on the CT-­‐155 Hawk aircraft in 2005, Captain Roy was posted to 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (2 CFFTS) where he instructed on the CT-­‐156 Harvard II. During his tenure at 2 CFFTS, he worked in Bandit Flight and also Flight Instructor School (FIS) where he attained an A2 instructional category, and accumulated over 1,200 instructional hours. In 2011, Captain Roy was posted to 17 Wing, Winnipeg, as a Search and Rescue Pilot on the CC-­‐130 Hercules with 435 Squadron. While employed with 435 Squadron, Captain Roy was called for numerous Search and Rescue missions. He also participated in several Search and Rescue exercises including a National Search and Rescue exercise in Keflavik, Iceland. Captain Roy joined the Snowbirds in 2013 and brings over 3,000 hours of military flying experience to the team. He flies the number 4 jet in the First Line Astern position. Snowbird 5 -­‐ Captain Matthew Hart Second Line Astern Captain Matthew Hart from Parksville, British Columbia joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 2006 after graduating from Confederation College with an Advanced Diploma in Aviation Flight Management, and a Commercial Pilot’s license. After receiving his wings on the CT-­‐155 Hawk aircraft in 2009, Captain Hart was posted to 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (2 CFFTS) following the completion of Fighter Lead-­‐in training (FLIT) at 419 Tactical Fighter (T) Squadron in Cold Lake, Alberta. Captain Hart instructed on the CT-­‐155 Hawk from 2010 to 2014 at 2 CFFTS where he accumulated over 500 instructional hours and attained an A2 instructional category while carrying out duties as the Flight Instructor School Hawk Flight Commander and Standards Pilot. Captain Hart joined the Canadian Forces Snowbirds in 2014 and brings over 1,800 hours of flying experience to the team with more than 1,200 hours of military jet flying experience. He flies the number 5 jet in the Second Line Astern position. Snowbird 6 -­‐ Captain Maciej Hatta Outer Right Wing Captain Maciej Hatta was born in Gdansk, Poland and grew up in Georgetown, Ontario. His passion for flight developed while a member of 820 Chris Hadfield Air Cadet Squadron where he earned his glider and private pilot licenses. He joined the Canadian Forces in 2001 and graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada in 2005 with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering. After receiving his wings in 2008, Captain Hatta was posted to 4 Wing, Cold Lake, Alberta and completed Fighter Lead-­‐In Training at 419 Tactical Fighter (Training) Squadron and the Fighter Pilot Course at 410 Tactical (Operational Training) Fighter Squadron. In 2010 he was posted to 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron at 4 Wing, Cold Lake. During this time, he flew the CF-­‐18 Hornet and participated in numerous exercises throughout North America, Operation Podium during the 2010 Winter Olympics, and flew missions in support of Operation Unified Protector. Captain Hatta joined the Snowbirds in 2013 and brings over 1,500 hours of military jet flying experience to the team. He flies the number 6 jet in the Outer Right Wing position. Snowbird 7 -­‐ Captain Steve Reed Outer Left Wing Captain Steve Reed, from Nepean, Ontario, joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 2002 under the Regular Officer Training Plan. In 2006 he graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Captain Reed received his pilot’s wings in 2008 after completing Fighter Lead-­‐
In Training at 419 Tactical Fighter (Training) Squadron in Cold Lake, Alberta. He was then posted to 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (2 CFFTS) in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan to instruct on the CT-­‐155 Hawk. During his time at 2 CFFTS, Captain Reed accumulated over 500 instructional hours and attained an A2 instructional category. Captain Reed joined the Canadian Forces Snowbirds in 2014 and brings over 1,500 hours of military jet flying experience to the team. He flies the number 7 jet in the Outer Left Wing position. Snowbird 8 -­‐ Captain Shamus Allen Opposing Solo Captain Shamus “Carney” Allen was born and raised in Peterborough, Ontario, where his desire to fly was first sparked at the young age of nine years old when he went on his first flight. He was a member of the 534 “Raider” Air Cadet Squadron throughout high school. He went on to graduate from the Royal Military College of Canada with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2004. Captain Allen was posted to 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta for fighter pilot training after receiving his wings in 2005. He was subsequently posted to the 409 Nighthawks Tactical Fighter Squadron, then 410 Cougar Operational Training Squadron as an instructor. After briefly serving as the Combat Operations Officer at 4 Wing, he was selected in 2012 to complete the Fighter Weapons Instructor Course (FWIC). Upon graduation, Captain Allen was posted back to 409 Squadron as a Mass Attack Lead. During his time there, he conducted several domestic operational missions and participated in numerous exercises throughout North America and abroad. Captain Allen joined the Canadian Forces Snowbirds in 2014 and brings over 1700 hours of military jet flying experience to the team. He flies the number 8 jet in the Opposing Solo position. Snowbird 9 -­‐ Captain Morgan Strachan Lead Solo Captain Morgan Strachan from Carman, Manitoba joined the Canadian Forces in 2004 under the Direct Entry Officer program. Prior to enrollment, he graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and earned a private pilot’s license while starting flying at Harv’s Air in Steinbach, Manitoba. After receiving his wings on the CT-­‐155 Hawk aircraft in 2007, Captain Strachan was posted to 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (2CFFTS) after completing Fighter Lead-­‐In Training at 419 Tactical Fighter (T) Squadron in Cold Lake, Alberta. During his tenure at 2CFFTS, Captain Strachan accumulated over 850 hours instructional time and achieved an A2 instructional category instructing in Cobra Flight, Standards and the Flying Instructors School. Captain Strachan joined the Snowbirds in 2013 and brings 2,300 hours of flying military high-­‐performance aircraft to the team. Snowbird 10 -­‐ Captain Greg Mendes Coordinator Captain Greg Mendes grew up in Calgary, Alberta and joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1998. He enrolled as a pilot through the Direct Entry Officer program by completing a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Calgary. Concurrently, he also completed a Diploma in Aviation from Mount Royal University. Captain Mendes received his wings in 2002, and flew the CC-­‐130 Hercules in Trenton, Ontario at 429 Tactical Transport Squadron followed by a posting in 2005 to 436 Tactical Transport Squadron. In 2006 he continued to fly the Hercules and was posted to 435 (T&R) Squadron in Winnipeg, Manitoba in the Air-­‐to-­‐Air Refueling role as a Tanker Commander and a Pilot Training Officer. In 2008 Captain Mendes worked at Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre Vancouver as the Production Officer and a Military Career Counselor. In 2011 he was awarded the Chief of Defense Staff Commendation and returned to fly the Hercules with 435 (T&R) Squadron. During his time flying on the Hercules, he participated in numerous multinational exercises, operations, and humanitarian aid missions around the globe flying to over 35 countries. Captain Mendes joined the Canadian Forces Snowbirds in 2013 and is extremely honored to be in his second year, bringing over 3,400 civilian and military flying hours experience to the team. Snowbird 11 -­‐ Captain Regan Wickett Coordinator Captain Regan Wickett, of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 2004 under the Direct Entry Officer Program. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Physics from the University of Saskatchewan and a Bachelor’s of Education from Queen’s University. Captain Wickett has worked extensively with the Royal Canadian Air Cadet flying program and instructed at the Prairie Region Gliding School for 7 years. He also taught science and mathematics for two years at Holy Trinity Catholic High School in Simcoe, Ontario. After receiving his wings on the CT-­‐155 Hawk in the Spring of 2008 Captain Wickett was posted to 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School at 15 Wing Moose Jaw where he instructed the Phase II Basic Flying Training course on the CT-­‐156 Harvard II. In 2010 he returned to the CT-­‐155 Hawk to instruct the Phase III Advanced Flying Training (High Performance Jet) course. Captain Wickett was posted to 431 (Air Demonstration) Squadron in 2012 as the Standards and Operations Officer. Captain Wickett brings over 2000 hours of military and civilian flying experience to the Snowbirds. He currently flies the number 11 jet as the Team Coordinator for the 2015 and 2016 show seasons. Lieutenant Patricia Brunelle Public Affairs Officer Lieutenant Patricia Brunelle, from Ottawa, Ontario, joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 2007 under the Regular Officer Training Program (ROTP) where she completed a Bachelor of Arts in History at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, ON. Lieutenant Brunelle enrolled as an Aerospace Controller and became a Public Affairs Officer in May 2013. Upon graduation from the Defense Public Affairs Learning Centre in June 2014, Lieutenant Brunelle was posted to 431 Air Demonstration Squadron in July 2014 as the Public Affairs Officer. Sergeant Chris Rader-­‐Martin Crew Chief Aviation Technician Sergeant Chris Rader-­‐Martin, from Toronto Ontario, started his military career in 1981 at the Royal Regiment of Canada at the Fort York armories. In 1986 he enrolled in the Regular Force as an Instrument/Electrical Technician, completing his electronics training at the Canadian Forces School of Communications and Electronics at Canadian Forces base (CFB) Kingston and trades training at the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering at CFB Borden. His first operational posting was in July 1987 to 880 Squadron in CFB Summerside, PEI, employed on the CP-­‐121 Tracker. He worked in engine bay, periodic inspections and servicing/snags. In March 1990 was posted to CFB Moose Jaw Saskatchewan where he worked in the Tutor Flight Simulator for 6 years then transferred over to servicing/snags and periodic inspections with 15 AMS. In 1997 completed his Aviation technician conversion training. In April 2000 he first joined the Canadian forces Snowbirds when the unit stood up as a larger unit, two years later selected for the show team for the first year as the number 6 jet and second year as an Aviation lead in the number 4 jet. In March 2005 was promoted to the rank of Master Corporal and posted to 8 AMS Trenton Ontario, employed on the CC-­‐130 Hercules. In June 2011 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and posted to 429 (T) Squadron employed on the CC-­‐177 Globemaster as a crew supervisor. Sergeant Rader-­‐Martin has also participated in several operational deployments throughout his career. In August 2014 he was posted back to 431 (AD) Squadron, Snowbirds 15 Wing Moose Jaw as a Crew Sergeant and appointed the Crew Chief’s position in December 2014. He is honored and thrilled to once again to represent the RCAF and work with an outstanding group of technicians for the 45th anniversary season. Sergeant Chris Rader-­‐Martin brings 32 years of military and technical knowledge to the team. He is married to Sara and has three sons, Sean, Austin and Marcus. Master Corporal Serge Chevrier Deputy Crew Chief Avionics Technician Master Corporal (MCpl) Serge Junior Chevrier is born in Loretteville, Quebec, and grew up in Germany and eastern Canada. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force as Avionic Systems Technician in 2002 and completed training at the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering (CFSATE). His first operational posting was in 2004 with 416 Tactical Flight Squadron (TFS) in Cold Lake, AB which became 409 TFS in 2006, where he was employed on CF-­‐118 Hornet. He enjoyed such jobs as a technician in both periodic maintenance and the servicing / snags section. He has participated in NATO and NORAD deployments. He was promoted to his current rank in 2010 and posted to 431 Air Demonstration (AD) Squadron the following year where he is currently working on the CT-­‐114. He is looking forward to the 45th show season as Deputy Crew Chief and is supported in this incredible opportunity by his wonderful wife MCpl Lacey, a technician for 431 (AD) Squadron and his daughter Abygail. Corporal Andrew Valentine Technical Coordinator Avionics Technician Corporal Andrew Valentine was born in Ottawa, Ontario and joined the Army Reserve at the age of 17. After serving with 33 Combat Engineer Regiment and the 48th Highlanders of Canada, he transferred to the regular force and served with 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry from 2005 until 2009. Corporal Valentine began his training as an Avionics Technician at CFB Borden in January 2010 and upon graduation was posted to 431 (AD) Squadron in the summer of 2011. http://www.rcaf-­‐arc.forces.gc.ca/en/snowbirds/members.page