(Photo: Royal Canadian Air Force)

The Royal Canadian Airforce is mourning the loss of one of their own after a Snowbirds aircraft crashed in Kamloops, BC, Sunday.

Captain Jenn Casey has been identified as the member that died in the crash. She was their public relations officer and is from Nova Scotia. Captain Richard MacDougall sustained injuries the RCAF confirmed are not considered life threatening.

In a statement released to social media Lieutenant General Al Meinzinger, Commander with the Royal Canadian Air Force says “we have suffered another tragic loss of a dedicated member of the RCAF team and snowbirds. We grieve alongside Jenn’s family, friends and colleagues and are deeply saddened. Our thoughts also go out to the loved ones of Captain Richard MacDougall. We hope for a swift recovery from his injuries.”

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, issued the following statement Monday:

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of one Canadian Armed Forces member, Captain Jennifer Casey, and one injured, Captain Richard MacDougall, in today’s Snowbirds aircraft crash in Kamloops, British Columbia.

“Our thoughts are with the families of Captain Casey and Captain MacDougall, as well as the entire Canadian Forces Snowbirds team, as they grieve this terrible loss. I would also like to thank the emergency personnel in Kamloops who responded so quickly to this tragic incident.

“For the past two weeks, the Snowbirds have been flying across the country to lift up Canadians during these difficult times. Every day, they represent the very best of Canada and demonstrate excellence through incredible skill and dedication. Their flyovers across the country put a smile on the faces of Canadians everywhere and make us proud.

“Sophie and I join all Canadians in offering our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Captain Jennifer Casey. All Canadians are with you during this difficult time.”

The Prime Minister of Canada also tweeted his condolences.

“Tonight, I join all Canadians in mourning the loss of a member of the @CFSnowbirds
#OpInspiration team, Captain Jennifer Casey. I’m sending my deepest condolences to her loved ones, and wishing Captain Richard MacDougall a full recovery.”

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds team is based in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. The Tutor jet they fly to perform what has been described as an aerobatic ballet, was brought on line in 1963. It is no longer the training jet for the Royal Canadian Airforce. A tutor jet crashed last October readying for an airshow in Georgia, USA. The pilot ejected safely in that crash.

The Snowbirds were on a national tour to raise spirits in the face of COVID-19. They started Operation Inspiration in Nova Scotia, where Captain Casey is from, in part because of the recent tragedy involving a Royal Canadian Air Force helicopter going down off the coast of Greece during NATO exercises killing the six crew members on board. Only one body was recovered in that tragedy and it was that of Sub-Lt Abbigail Cowbrough who was also from Nova Scotia.

More in this story: Snowbirds’ Operation Inspiration Marred By Crash