Press Conference transcript regarding Canadian Forces Snowbird jet crash Published May 19, 2007 MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Col. Sandra Finan, 341st Space Wing Commander: "I'm Colonel Sandy Finan, Commander of the 341st Space Wing here at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana. I would like to express my sincere condolences to the Canadian Forces Snowbirds team, their families and all Canadian Forces service members. We are brothers and sisters in arms, and today's tragic loss is felt deeply across our nation's services. Major Robert Mitchell will provide you more information in a moment, but I would like to say our thoughts and prayers are with the team, and our resources are at their disposal. After close coordination with the team, we have decided to continue with our plan to open our gates tomorrow morning for our base Open House. However the aerial demonstrations are on hold, pending accident investigation events. Event status will be passed to you as it becomes available. Major Mitchell." Major Robert Mitchell, Canadian Forces Snowbirds commanding officer: "Good Evening. My name is Major Robert Mitchell and I am the Commanding Officer of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds. It is with deep sadness and regret that I meet with you this evening to provide a statement about our tragic loss today. During a practice flight today, Captain Shawn McCaughey, Snowbird 2, tragically impacted the ground in his CT-114 Tutor jet at about 3:45 p.m. at Malmstrom Air Force Base. Our thoughts, prayers and sincerest condolences are with Shawn's family. Our priority at this time is to provide support for Shawn's family. Shawn was a tremendous pilot, professional officer and dear friend. Our team is devastated and we miss him. We have initiated a Canadian Forces Flight Safety investigation. An investigation team of experts will conduct a thorough investigation. We will support their efforts in every way we can. I will now take a few questions; however, please understand at this time we do not have many details."