The decision to ground the Canadian Forces Snowbirds isn't sitting well with one of the squadron's former leaders.
The federal government announced earlier this week that it's retiring the decades-old fleet of Tudor jets after this year's run of performances, replacing it with new planes sometime in the early 2030s.
The planes have been in use since 1963, with the Snowbirds using them since 1971.
Chris Hope, who currently lives in Winnipeg but is from Blenheim, led the squadron in 2010 and 2011. He was also part of the team from 2003 to 2005.
Hope was on CK Mornings on 94.3 CKSY with hosts Chris McLeod and Allanah Wills, and said he was worried that this would be the last year we see the Snowbirds in action.
"This has been ongoing for over 20-some odd years trying to make a decision, and I'm afraid if they shut them down, it'll be very difficult to bring them back," he explained.
Hope doesn't understand why no plan was put in place to ensure the new planes were ready once the current ones are officially retired.
He does believe the fleet needs to be replaced, though he still has mixed feelings, as he flew one of the planes for much of his career in the sky.
"It was like my baby, I flew 5,300 hours in her. To see her go is unfortunate, but it's a reality," added Hope.
The Snowbirds have over 40 performances scheduled for the next five months.
The squadron will be closest to Chatham-Kent from September 5 - 7, as multiple shows will take place in the Toronto area. A full schedule can be found here.
