SkyHawks Parachute Team

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=SkyHawks Parachute Team


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branch=Canadian Forces Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre.
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"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 10 permanent members and 9 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, and has performed 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 has conducted over 3,400 parachute descents in order to prepare for their 2006 season, which runs from March until October.

As the only Primary Reserve unit in the Canadian Forces with a parachute tasking, The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada has provided several of its members the opportunity to join the team. 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 5 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 the CC-115 Buffalo aircraft as their primary jump platform.

Team members

2007 season

*Captain Sean French - Team Captain, The Royal Canadian Regiment
*Captain James Fancy - Team Administration Officer, Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment
*Warrant Officer John Ferguson - Team Warrant Officer, The Royal Canadian Regiment
*Master Corporal Darrell Bishop - Team Quarter Master, Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Center
*Sergeant Jeff Whibbs - Public Relations NCO, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
*Sergeant Don Buchan - Transport NCO, 2nd Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery
*Corporal Stéphane d’Aragon - Team Rigger, Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre
*Corporal Sébastien Pinard - Team Rigger, Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre
*Master Corporal Denise Anctil - Team Clerk, Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre
*Corporal Guillaume Durand - Demonstrator, 14 Air Maintenance Squadron
*Corporal Nierko Proulx - Demonstrator, 28 Medical Company
*Private Marie-Lou Fredette - Demonstrator, Fusiliers de Sherbrooke
*Master Corporal Kevin Smith - Drop Zone Controller, The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada

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

ee also

*Parachuting
*Parachute rigger
*Maroon beret
*Canadian Sport Parachuting Association

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 Team - Red Lions
*United Kingdom - Red Devils (Parachute Regiment)
*United States Army Parachute Team - The Golden Knights
*US Special Operations Command parachute team

External links

* [http://www.army.dnd.ca/skyhawks/ - Official site]
* [http://www.army.gc.ca/lf/English/3_3_1_1_3.asp Show schedule for 2007 season]
* [http://www.recruiting.forces.gc.ca Canadian Forces Recruiting]
* [http://www.forces.gc.ca Canadian Forces and Department of National Defence]

References