![]() The most notable change took place in 1977 when the team traded the Para-Commander round parachute for the more maneuverable Ram-Air square parachute. The rest is history as the Sky Hawks are now in their 47th year of operation."īetween the inception of the name “Sky Hawks” and the team’s 42nd anniversary season in 2013, many changes have taken place. This assured permanence with eight (8) members and the much sought after annual budget. Ten years later after mountains of service papers, hat in hand presentations to the brass at NDHQ/FMCHQ and friends of anything airborne the Team was recognised and allocated a Canadian Forces Organisational Order (CFOO). In 1971 the team became a more or less permanent organization and acquired the now famous handle the Sky Hawks, which was introduced by the then Commanding Officer LCol Stu Northrup. The team continued as an ad-hock "pick up" team drawn from the many sub-units of the Regiment and CABC. Eventually the Team administration was consolidated within the parachute training wing of the Canadian Airborne Centre (CABC). With permission from the Regiment's commander Col Don Rochester they formed the regimental parachute demonstration team. Eventually these enthusiasts flocked to the newly formed Canadian Airborne Regiment (Edmonton) circa 1968. "My take on the roots of the Sky Hawks: The Sky Hawks morphed from military jumpers who were active sky divers in local civilian parachute clubs across Canada. The following month saw the title “Sky Hawks” bestowed upon the team by the Commanding Officer of CABC.Ĭaptain (Retired) Gerry Vida recently gave this account of the origin of the team to present and past members of the team: ![]() In 1971, the team came under command of the Canadian Airborne Centre (CABC) and was officially formed by National Defence Headquarters in August of that same year. Under this new title, the team attended the World Parachuting Championships in Fontainebleau, France, where they brought home the silver medal in the Team Accuracy event. At that time the team was known as the Canadian Airborne Regiment Parachute Team.īy October of 1970 the team was referred to as the Canadian Forces Parachute Team. The Team performed its first show on the 14th of June 1969, at the Mobile Force Fire Power Demonstration at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, Ontario. In June of 1969 an unofficial team comprised of sport parachute qualified members of the Canadian Airborne Regiment was formed under the authority of the Commanding Officer. Two of the early Sky Hawk team crests worn on their jumpsuits 1971-76. It is with great pride that they continue to showcase the professionalism, dedication and team work it takes to be part of Canada’s military. Both Regular and Reserve, the team members are from various occupations of the Army, Navy, and Air Force and bring a wide range of experience to their performances. There, they train alongside soldiers who help defend our territory and sovereignty through a wide variety of domestic and overseas missions. Supported by the Canadian Army, the Sky Hawks are currently based out of Trenton, Ontario, at the Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre. ![]() Performing these aerobatic parachute formations requires a high level of skill and courage and is known as Canopy Relative Work. ![]() Bringing their parachutes in close proximity to build formations in the sky, the team puts on a spectacular show. It has been representing Canada and the Canadian Forces for more than 47 years, providing parachute demonstration jumps to over 73 million spectators worldwide under the team’s signature Canadian flag parachutes. The Canadian Forces Parachute Team, the Sky Hawks, is Canada’s only military parachute demonstration team. Sky Hawk team crests worn on our jumpsuits 1977-1980. ![]()
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