Snowbirds soar through skies over Malmstrom Published May 20, 2008 By Valerie Mullett 341st Space Wing Public Affairs MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- With the temperatures soaring into the '80s Saturday and Sunday, an estimated 18,000 spectators from near and far came to Malmstrom's Air Show and Open House May 17 and 18 to witness the high-flying acrobatics of the highlight event - the Canadian Air Force's Snowbirds Aerial Demonstration Team. The gates opened at 9 a.m. and both days were filled with tours and demonstrations leading up to the 3:30 p.m. Snowbirds showcase event. First up was the Malmstrom Honor Guard drill team, who proved to the audience why they are a sought- after performance. They were unable to perform though, Sunday due to the high winds early in the day. Next up was the 40th Helicopter Squadron who showcased the capabilities of the UH-1N "Huey" helicopter and its maneuverability, especially during rescue missions. The Tactical and Convoy Response Forces demonstrated their talents to the crowds with a smoke-filled agenda that impressed everyone watching. Air Combat Command's A-10 "Thunderbolt II" next took to the skies and displayed the amazing capabilities of this fighting aircraft. Then it paired up with an A-1 "Skyraider" to perform a Heritage Flight. "This started out as a one-time request," said Tech. Sgt. Chad Rasmussen, narrator for the Heritage Flight. "But it has grown in popularity over the years and is now one of the most requested venues at Air Shows around the world." Following the dramatic Heritage Flight, members of the 819th RED HORSE Squadron airborne unit jumped from a CH-47 helicopter. They were followed by the Malmstrom Fire Department personnel who demonstrated use of the jaws of life. Army National Guard members then stunned the crowd with the speed and precision of the M1A1 Abrams tank before a spectacular finale where the tank ran over the car the fire department used for its demonstration, leaving a trail of gnarled metal in its wake. Honorary Snowbird, the Jelly Belly airplane, was next. Pilot, Kent Pietsch, got the crowd in the spirit of a true air show with his pivots and spiraling turns leading right up to the Snowbirds highlight 45-minute performance. "We came back to Great Falls to finish what we started and to give the community a big 'thank you,'" said Capt. Jennifer Jones, Public Affairs Officer for the Snowbirds. The Snowbirds were unable to perform last year after suffering a tragic loss during Friday's practice session when one of the planes crashed and killed its pilot, Capt. Shawn McCaughey. This year, their performances went off without a hitch and they truly proved why they are Canada's elite force. Maneuvering at high speeds and in close proximity to one another, the wide-eyed crowd cheered and clapped at their every move. Forty-five minutes later, they made their final pass, only to return via a Malmstrom UH-1N "Huey" to sign autographs for their fans. "It was an amazing show," said Seth Jayne, a visitor to Malmstrom. "As a pilot myself, I'm very impressed with their precision. They were just amazing." "This was just a very special weekend because it was our way of saying 'thank you' to the local community for all their support throughout the year," said Maj. Roy Collins, Air Show and Open House event coordinator. "The bond that we share with with them has been a long-standing one." The Snowbirds have two more shows in the United States May 24 and 25 in Janesville, Wis., before taking their show back to Canada for the summer. They'll return to the U.S. Sept 27 through Oct. 12 performing primarily in California, before ending their season at home in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan Oct. 17.