Canadian Forces Snowbirds Return Home

Our hearts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Captain Shawn McCaughey.

"He flies with our angels"

15 WING, MOOSE JAW, SASKATCHEWAN-- The Canadian Forces Snowbirds returned home to 15 Wing, Moose Jaw, by CC-130 Hercules aircraft, during the evening of Monday, May 21, following the tragic aircraft accident that claimed the life of their teammate and friend, Captain Shawn McCaughey."It is important for our team to return home to our family, friends and fellow teammates to mourn together during this difficult time," said Major Robert Mitchell, Commanding Officer, Canadian Forces Snowbirds. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Shawn's family - they are our priority at this time."A memorial service for Captain Shawn McCaughey will take place Friday, May 25 at 15 Wing Moose Jaw will full military honours."The memorial service will pay tribute and honour Shawn's life," said Major Mitchell. "Shawn was a passionate and talented pilot, a dedicated and devoted member of the Canadian Forces and a dear friend."The Canadian Forces Flight Safety Investigative Team will continue their work in Montana to determine the cause of the accident. The highly-qualified team of experts will investigate all aspects of the flight to prevent reoccurrence.
Captain Shawn McCaughey will return home to 15 Wing Moose Jaw by CC-130 Hercules aircraft during the evening of Tuesday, May 22, following the tragic aircraft accident that claimed his life.

Family and members of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be on hand to render full military honours to their fallen comrade.

Captain McCaughey, 31, of Candiac, Quebec died Friday, May 18, when the CT-114 Tutor jet he was piloting crashed during an air show rehearsal at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana. He served as the Inner Right Wing position pilot and flew the No. 2 jet for the team. He was in his second year with the Squadron.A military memorial service for Captain McCaughey will take place Friday, May 25 at 15 Wing Moose Jaw. A private interment service for Captain McCaughey will be held in Candiac, Quebec at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the McCaughey family would prefer that donations be made to Montreal's Fondation de l'Hopital Sainte-Justine / St. Justine Hospital Foundation (Neo-Natal Unit) in honour of "Snowbird No.2, Captain Shawn McCaughey." (click on icon)

For more information about this charity, please visit www.fondation-sainte-justine.org.

The Canadian Forces Flight Safety Investigative Team will continue their work in Montana to determine the cause of the accident and will make recommendations aimed at preventing such accidents in the future.

Flags fly at half staff inside the main gate at
Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana,
May 19, 2007. (Photo Credit: Robin Loznak)