Canadian Military Tribute: RCAF and the Battle for Normandy

11:30 am – Palm Springs Air Museum Pipe Band performs.

1 PM – Program – Canadian airmen were among the first into action as plans for the Normandy invasion developed. Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) squadrons belonging to Bomber Command’s No. 6 Group had already been involved for several months in bombing key enemy targets in the invasion area: roads, bridges, railways, airfields, and command and communications centers. As the moment to launch the invasion neared, Allied bombers dropped thousands of tons of explosives on German coastal defenses. As hours and days passed on No. 441, No. 442 and No. 443 Squadrons of the RCAF became the first allied aircraft to operate over France since 1940. They continued to support the Allied offensive throughout the campaign that followed, helping open the way to victory. Join us as we celebrate our neighbors to the north who fought under the shoulder to shoulder for the cause of freedom.

Presenter: Maj. Bill March, RCAF and Special Guest Canadian D-Day Veteran, Mr. John Commerford

@2:30 PM – Program is followed by the Skyhawks Parachute Team, doing a skydiving and parachute demonstration.The SkyHawks are the Canadian Forces Parachute Demonstration Team. Based at CFB Trenton in Trenton, Ontario, they are a sub-unit of the Canadian Army Advanced Warfare Center (CAAWC).

The team consists of both permanent members and temporary members from the Regular and Reserve Forces. They act as ambassadors for the Canadian Forces at special events, airshows and events. They are easily recognizable because their parachutes resemble the Canadian flag.