SkyHawks Parachute Team
Encyclopedia
The SkyHawks are the Canadian Forces
Parachute Demonstration Team based at CFB Trenton
in Trenton
, Ontario
. They are a sub-unit of the Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre
.
The team consists of ten permanent members and nine temporary members from the Regular and Reserve Forces. They act as ambassadors for the Canadian Forces at special events, airshows and schools. They are easily recognizable because of their parachutes resembling the Canadian flag.
as its first commander. The SkyHawks have appeared in more than 4,200 shows, performing for over 68 million spectators. Other than Canada
and the United States
, they've also made appearances around the world including Japan
, France
and Australia
. The SkyHawks have demonstrated parachuting
at a Rolling Stones concert in 2003, at the Juno Beach Centre Opening Celebrations in Normandy, and at the 60th anniversary of the Liberation of Holland. The team conducts over 3,400 parachute descents at training camp each year in order to prepare for their show season, which runs from March until October.
Over the years augmentee demonstration parachutists have been drawn from all Commands of the Canadian Forces, representing a myriad of trades and officer classifications.
The SkyHawks team spends five weeks training in the clear, sunny skies of California. Members of the SkyHawks also provide instructor assistance for parachute training to members of the Canadian Forces at the CFLAWC. The team uses a leased Short SC.7 Skyvan
aircraft as their primary jump platform.
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
Parachute Demonstration Team based at CFB Trenton
CFB Trenton
Canadian Forces Base Trenton , is a Canadian Forces base located northeast of Trenton, Ontario. It is operated as an air force base by the Royal Canadian Air Force and is the hub for air transport operations in Canada and abroad...
in Trenton
Trenton, Ontario
Trenton is a community in Southern Ontario in the municipality of Quinte West, Ontario, Canada. Located on the Bay of Quinte, it is the main population centre in Quinte West....
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. They are a sub-unit of the Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre
Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre
The Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre is a Canadian Forces training facility located at CFB Trenton, Ontario, Canada. It is commonly abbreviated as CFLAWC....
.
The team consists of ten permanent members and nine temporary members from the Regular and Reserve Forces. They act as ambassadors for the Canadian Forces at special events, airshows and schools. They are easily recognizable because of their parachutes resembling the Canadian flag.
History
The team was established in 1971 with Major John HasekJohn Hasek
John Henry George Hasek, CD was a Czechoslovakian-born Canadian soldier, journalist and author. He later emigrated to Canada and joined its armed forces in 1957....
as its first commander. The SkyHawks have appeared in more than 4,200 shows, performing for over 68 million spectators. Other than Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, they've also made appearances around the world including Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The SkyHawks have demonstrated parachuting
Parachuting
Parachuting, also known as skydiving, is the action of exiting an aircraft and returning to earth with the aid of a parachute. It may or may not involve a certain amount of free-fall, a time during which the parachute has not been deployed and the body gradually accelerates to terminal...
at a Rolling Stones concert in 2003, at the Juno Beach Centre Opening Celebrations in Normandy, and at the 60th anniversary of the Liberation of Holland. The team conducts over 3,400 parachute descents at training camp each year in order to prepare for their show season, which runs from March until October.
Over the years augmentee demonstration parachutists have been drawn from all Commands of the Canadian Forces, representing a myriad of trades and officer classifications.
The SkyHawks team spends five weeks training in the clear, sunny skies of California. Members of the SkyHawks also provide instructor assistance for parachute training to members of the Canadian Forces at the CFLAWC. The team uses a leased Short SC.7 Skyvan
Short SC.7 Skyvan
-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Jackson, A.J. British Civil Aircraft since 1919 . London: Putnam, 1974. ISBN 0-370-10014-X.-External links:****...
aircraft as their primary jump platform.
2009 season
- Lieutenant (Navy) James Sebe - Team Captain, HMCS StarHMCS StarHMCS Star is a unit of the Canadian Forces Naval Reserve located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada....
- Captain Ian Laporte - Public Affairs Officer 34 Combat Engineer Regiment34 Combat Engineer Regiment34 Combat Engineer Regiment is a Reserve unit of the Canadian Military Engineers in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is part of the 34 Canadian Brigade Group, Land Force Quebec Area....
- Captain James Fancy — Team Administration Officer, Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment
- Sergeant Kyle Caldwell — Team Warrant Officer, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryPrincess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryPrincess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry is one of the three regular force infantry regiments of the Canadian Army. The regiment is composed of four battalions including a primary reserve battalion, for a total of 2,000 soldiers...
- Sergeant Travis Hegland — Transport NCO, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
- Sergeant Brad Mckenzie — Public Relations NCO, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
- Corporal Sébastien Pinard — Team Command Quarter Master, Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare CentreCanadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare CentreThe Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre is a Canadian Forces training facility located at CFB Trenton, Ontario, Canada. It is commonly abbreviated as CFLAWC....
- Master Seaman Dominic Dumont — Team Rigger, Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre
- Corporal William Van Dyk — Team Rigger, Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre
- Sergeant Billy Coles — Demonstrator, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
- Sergeant John Tunn - Demonstrator, 3 Area Support Group Maintenance Company
- Sergeant Real Baril- Demonstrator, CFRC Montreal
- Master Corporal Eric Collard - Demonstrator, Royal 22e RegimentRoyal 22e RégimentThe Royal 22nd Regiment is an infantry regiment and the most famous francophone organization of the Canadian Forces. The regiment comprises three Regular Force battalions, two Primary Reserve battalions, and a band, making it the largest regiment in the Canadian Army...
- Master Corporal Eric Gagnon - Demonstrator, Canadian Forces School of Communication and Electronics
- Corporal Tammy Greening - Team Clerk, Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre
- Corporal Andrew Pertus - Demonstrator, 33 Service Battalion
- Corporal Leigh Widdowson - Demonstrator, 28 Field Ambulance
- Corporal Rick Nelson - Demonstrator, 36 Service Battalion
- Corporal Christina Villeneuve - Demonstrator, 28 Field Ambulance
- Private Annie Thibodeau - Demonstrator, 27th Canadian Forces Health Services
- Private Steven Massicotte - Demonstrator, 410 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron
2008 season
- Captain Angelo Manzara - Team Captain, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryPrincess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryPrincess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry is one of the three regular force infantry regiments of the Canadian Army. The regiment is composed of four battalions including a primary reserve battalion, for a total of 2,000 soldiers...
- Captain James Fancy — Team Administration Officer, Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment
- Sergeant Kyle Caldwell — Team Warrant Officer, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryPrincess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryPrincess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry is one of the three regular force infantry regiments of the Canadian Army. The regiment is composed of four battalions including a primary reserve battalion, for a total of 2,000 soldiers...
- Sergeant Steve Beaudoin — Transport NCO, Royal 22e RegimentRoyal 22e RégimentThe Royal 22nd Regiment is an infantry regiment and the most famous francophone organization of the Canadian Forces. The regiment comprises three Regular Force battalions, two Primary Reserve battalions, and a band, making it the largest regiment in the Canadian Army...
- Sergeant Martin Croteau — Public Relations NCO, Royal 22e RegimentRoyal 22e RégimentThe Royal 22nd Regiment is an infantry regiment and the most famous francophone organization of the Canadian Forces. The regiment comprises three Regular Force battalions, two Primary Reserve battalions, and a band, making it the largest regiment in the Canadian Army...
- Corporal Stéphane d’Aragon — Team Command Quarter Master, Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare CentreCanadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare CentreThe Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre is a Canadian Forces training facility located at CFB Trenton, Ontario, Canada. It is commonly abbreviated as CFLAWC....
- Corporal Sébastien Pinard — Team Rigger, Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare CentreCanadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare CentreThe Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre is a Canadian Forces training facility located at CFB Trenton, Ontario, Canada. It is commonly abbreviated as CFLAWC....
- Corporal William Van Dyk — Team Rigger, Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare CentreCanadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare CentreThe Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre is a Canadian Forces training facility located at CFB Trenton, Ontario, Canada. It is commonly abbreviated as CFLAWC....
- Warrant Officer Rowell Pinlac — Demonstrator, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryPrincess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryPrincess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry is one of the three regular force infantry regiments of the Canadian Army. The regiment is composed of four battalions including a primary reserve battalion, for a total of 2,000 soldiers...
- Sergeant Don Carlson - Demonstrator, Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment
- Sergeant Brad Mckenzie - Demonstrator, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryPrincess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryPrincess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry is one of the three regular force infantry regiments of the Canadian Army. The regiment is composed of four battalions including a primary reserve battalion, for a total of 2,000 soldiers...
- Master Corporal James Martin - Demonstrator, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryPrincess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryPrincess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry is one of the three regular force infantry regiments of the Canadian Army. The regiment is composed of four battalions including a primary reserve battalion, for a total of 2,000 soldiers...
- Corporal Serge Blouin - Demonstrator, 141 CEF, 14 Wing Greenwood
- Corporal Brad Chase - Demonstrator, 2 Air Movement Squadron
- Corporal Michel St-Pierre - Demonstrator, Royal 22e RegimentRoyal 22e RégimentThe Royal 22nd Regiment is an infantry regiment and the most famous francophone organization of the Canadian Forces. The regiment comprises three Regular Force battalions, two Primary Reserve battalions, and a band, making it the largest regiment in the Canadian Army...
2007 season
- Captain Sean French—Team Captain, The Royal Canadian RegimentThe Royal Canadian RegimentThe Royal Canadian Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. The regiment consists of four battalions, three in the Regular Force and one in the Primary Reserve...
- Captain James Fancy—Team Administration Officer, Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment
- Warrant Officer John Ferguson—Team Warrant Officer, The Royal Canadian RegimentThe Royal Canadian RegimentThe Royal Canadian Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. The regiment consists of four battalions, three in the Regular Force and one in the Primary Reserve...
- Master Corporal Darrell Bishop—Team Quarter Master, Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare CentreCanadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare CentreThe Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre is a Canadian Forces training facility located at CFB Trenton, Ontario, Canada. It is commonly abbreviated as CFLAWC....
- Sergeant Jeff Whibbs—Public Relations NCO, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryPrincess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryPrincess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry is one of the three regular force infantry regiments of the Canadian Army. The regiment is composed of four battalions including a primary reserve battalion, for a total of 2,000 soldiers...
- Sergeant Don Buchan—Transport NCO, 2nd Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery
- Corporal Stéphane d’Aragon—Team Rigger, Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare CentreCanadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare CentreThe Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre is a Canadian Forces training facility located at CFB Trenton, Ontario, Canada. It is commonly abbreviated as CFLAWC....
- Corporal Sébastien Pinard—Team Rigger, Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare CentreCanadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare CentreThe Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre is a Canadian Forces training facility located at CFB Trenton, Ontario, Canada. It is commonly abbreviated as CFLAWC....
- Master Corporal Denise Anctil—Team Clerk, Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare CentreCanadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare CentreThe Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre is a Canadian Forces training facility located at CFB Trenton, Ontario, Canada. It is commonly abbreviated as CFLAWC....
- Corporal Guillaume Durand—Demonstrator, 14 Air Maintenance Squadron
- Corporal Nierko Proulx—Demonstrator, 28 Field Ambulance
- Private Marie-Lou Fredette—Demonstrator, Fusiliers de Sherbrooke
- Master Corporal Kevin Smith—Drop Zone Controller, The Queen's Own Rifles of CanadaThe Queen's Own Rifles of CanadaThe Queen's Own Rifles of Canada is a militia regiment within the Canadian Forces, based in Toronto, Ontario. The regiment is part of Land Force Central Area's 32 Canadian Brigade Group. It is the only Primary Reserve regiment in Canada to have a parachute role. The regiment consists of the reserve...
2006 season
- Captain Sebastien Bronsard— Officer Commanding
- Captain James Fancy—Team Administration Officer
- Warrant Officer Andy Hulan—Team Warrant Officer
- Sergeant Dave Smith—Public Relations NCO
- Sergeant Don Carlson—Team Quartermaster
- Sergeant John Ferguson—Transportation NCO
- Master Corporal Denise Anctil—Team Clerk
- Corporal Steve Gosselin—Team Rigger
- Corporal Kevin O'Donnell—Assistant Team Rigger
- Warrant Officer Bob Cotnam—Demonstrator
- Master Corporal Patrick Gonthier—Demonstrator
- Corporal Patrick Coupal—Demonstrator
- Corporal Yannick Leroux—Demonstrator
- Corporal Nierko Proulx—Demonstrator
See also
- ParachutingParachutingParachuting, also known as skydiving, is the action of exiting an aircraft and returning to earth with the aid of a parachute. It may or may not involve a certain amount of free-fall, a time during which the parachute has not been deployed and the body gradually accelerates to terminal...
- Parachute riggerParachute riggerA parachute rigger is a person who is trained or licensed to pack, maintain or repair parachutes. A rigger is required to understand fabrics, hardware, webbing, regulations, sewing, packing, and other aspects related to the building, packing, repair, and maintenance of parachutes.- Military...
- Maroon beretMaroon beretThe maroon beret is a military beret and has been an international symbol of elite airborne forces since it was chosen for British airborne forces in World War II. This distinctive head dress was officially introduced in 1942, at the direction of General Frederick Browning, commander of the British...
- Canadian Sport Parachuting AssociationCanadian Sport Parachuting AssociationThe Canadian Sport Parachuting Association , through affiliation with the Aero Club of Canada , is Canada's representative to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale , and the International Parachute Commission , and is thereby the official sport organization for sport parachuting in...
Other teams worldwide
- 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Command Parachute Demonstration Team—"Screaming Eagles" See website: http://www.campbell.army.mil/PDT/pdt.htm
- Singapore Armed Forces Parachute TeamSingapore Armed Forces Parachute TeamThe Singapore Armed Forces Parachute Team is best known for its free fall displays at the annual National Day Parade held in Singapore since its first appearance in 1989 as a formalised team, as opposed to sporadic displays since the 1970s by members of the Singapore Commandos Formation and...
—Red Lions - United Kingdom—Red Devils (Parachute Regiment)Red Devils (Parachute Regiment)The Red Devils are the Parachute Regiment's parachute display team. The team wears the distinctive maroon beret. The Red Devils are regular serving paratroopers from the three battalions of the Parachute Regiment who have volunteered to serve on the display team.The team was formed on 1 January...
- United States Army Parachute TeamUnited States Army Parachute TeamThe United States Army Parachute Team, nicknamed and commonly known as the Golden Knights, is a demonstration and competition parachute team of the United States Army...
—The Golden Knights - US Special Operations Command parachute teamSpecial Operations Command parachute teamThe United States Special Operations Command Parachute Team is composed of volunteers from the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and U.S. government civilians. They are selected for the team after a rigorous training program...