Two more Snowbirds Tutor jets will be leaving Kamloops this morning, nine days after the first two aircraft left the Tournament Capital for 15 Wing Moose Jaw.

The Canadian Armed Forces says the departure is subject to weather and other operational requirements. The rest of the aircraft will leave in the coming days, a date has not been fixed yet.

“Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we ask that members of the public refrain from coming to the airport to see the aircraft depart,” Air Force spokesperson David Lavalee said.

“The Snowbirds are deeply appreciative of the support received from Kamloops and local First Nations in the wake of the tragic accident on May 17, but to ensure the health and safety of community members, we ask that people not gather at the airport.”

Speaking to NL News, Major Kyle Pilatzke, the Squadron’s Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Officer, said there has been a lot of work done over the last three months to ensure that the planes are safe to fly.

Back in June, a preliminary report suggested a suspected a bird strike as the cause of the crash. Snowbirds Commanding Officer, Lt.-Col. Bandet was one of the pilots who flew back to Moose Jaw on September 1, with Capt. Logan Reid was piloting the second Snowbird.

“We’re happy at this point we’ve assessed the risk and that we have every confidence in the Tutor moving forward. I wouldn’t be standing here today if I didn’t have the confidence in the airport to get in,” Bandet said at the time.

And the Mayor of Moose Jaw, Fraser Tolmie, told NL News it was great to see two of the Tutor Jets return back to home base.