Two years after a deadly incident involving the Canadian Forces Snowbirds in Kamloops, the squadron is taking time to reflect, while also planning on moving forward.

Capt. Gabriel Ferris is the Public Affairs Officer for the Snowbirds, the same position held by the late Capt. Jenn Casey, who was killed in Kamloops two years ago today.

Ferris tells NL News the last couple of years have been a challenge.

“It took some time to come back and rebuild the team and make sure that we were ready to fly and that we were in the proper mindset as well,” he said. “We’re also following what we think Jenn Casey would have wanted is to keep going and keep moving forward.”

Capt. Casey, a Halifax native, was killed when the Snowbird Tutor jet she was in crashed shortly after takeoff from Kamloops Airport during Operation Inspiration. An investigation later concluded that Snowbird 11 lost power after a small bird was sucked into the engine shortly after takeoff.

The pilot – Capt. Richard MacDougall – was seriously injured in the crash.

The Snowbirds squadron will be taking part in a number of events in British Columbia this year, but there are no ‘official’ events in Kamloops. That said, Ferris notes they may end up in the city for a brief stop, similar to how they did in May last year.

“We know that she would have wanted us to go forward and keep going so we’re doing just that, and we’re quite excited to be back a little bit on the road this summer for another season,” he said.

“We pushed forward and we use her determination and inspiration that she brought, not just to Canada, but the team as well, and we use that to say, ‘hey, guys, we can do it.'”

Ferris says the people of Kamloops also hold a special place for the Snowbirds through their continual support in the wake of the crash.

Last year, on the one year anniversary of the crash, the city of Kamloops, announced plans to install a permanent memorial to the late Capt. Jenn Casey at the future Fulton Field Park by the airport.

“Certainly one of my darkest days as mayor was when we lost the Snowbird and we lost the life of Capt. Jennifer Casey but they will live to fly again,” Kamloops Mayor Ken Christian said in Sept. 2020, as the last of the Snowbirds left the city following a four-month long operational pause.

– With files from Paul James

Jenn – you left us two years ago today, but your passion, your determination and the energy you brought to our mission powers us every day. We miss you, and we will remember you.#OpInspiration #CFSnowbirds pic.twitter.com/rKVx6ER7kM

— CF Snowbirds (@CFSnowbirds) May 17, 2022

She loved The Hip and the Habs.
She loved telling stories.
She loved Canada.

A journalist. A Public Affairs Officer.
Two years later, we still see her light.

Captain Jennifer Casey, 1985-2020 pic.twitter.com/7tbdScHzcN

— Canadian Forces in 🇺🇸 (@CAFinUS) May 17, 2022