The CF-18 Hornet National Demonstration Team is returning to Abbotsford for the 2012 air show.
It is one of 15 air shows in Canada the team will participate in this year.
This year the demo team’s theme will be “The True North Strong and Free.” The line from the national anthem is taken as their theme because it speaks to the magnificence of Canada’s north, and to the Canadian resolve to demonstrate a visible presence there and to have the capacity to defend our Arctic territory.
The RCAF has an important role in the North. The Air Force operates in that region on a regular basis, conducting aerial sovereignty, reconnaissance and surveillance patrols, carrying out search and rescue operations, defending the airspace of Canada and the United States through our commitments to NORAD, and enabling military operations.
To embody this theme, this year’s demo Hornet will display tail and dorsal art featuring 13 distinctive snowflakes representing Canada’s provinces and territories, as well as the 13 wings across the country. The snowflakes were created by veteran graphic design director Jim Belliveau of 410 Squadron at Cold Lake, Alberta.
The demo is at 11:30 a.m. each day of the air show, running Aug. 10 to 12 at Abbotsford International Airport.