Video – Photo Gallery – SkyHawks Kick Off 55th Anniversary Season with Thrilling Opening Show in Trenton

Pete Fisher
2 hours ago
• Categories: Editor Choice, Local

The Canadian Armed Forces SkyHawks officially launched their 2026 season on Wednesday, June 3, with a thrilling parachute demonstration at Centennial Park in Trenton, marking the beginning of the team’s 55th anniversary season.

For the next several months, the SkyHawks will travel from coast to coast showcasing their precision parachuting skills before Canadian audiences. This year’s schedule includes nearly 30 performances, taking the team across the country as well as overseas appearances in Greece and Belgium.

The opening demonstration attracted spectators of all ages who gathered around the soccer fields at Centennial Park to witness Canada’s national military parachute demonstration team in action.

Shortly after 7 p.m., eyes turned skyward as a CC-130 Hercules aircraft from nearby CFB Trenton appeared overhead. Flying at approximately 6,000 feet, the aircraft made its pass over the park before members of the SkyHawks began exiting from the rear ramp.

At first, the jumpers appeared as tiny specks against the sunset. Within moments, colourful parachutes opened and the team began their descent toward the landing zone below.

As the jumpers made their way toward the ground, spectators watched a series of precision manoeuvres performed under their canopy.

Leading the way were team members deploying large banners of the SkyHawks and a Canadian flag.

One by one, the parachutists touched down to applause from family members, supporters, military personnel, and members of the public who had gathered for the event.

The SkyHawks are one of the Canadian Armed Forces’ most recognizable demonstration teams and have been representing Canada for more than five decades. Their performances are designed to showcase the professionalism, skill, and dedication of Canadian military personnel while providing an exciting display for the public.

Behind every demonstration is a tremendous amount of preparation and training.

Members are selected early each year from across the Canadian Armed Forces and undergo extensive training before the start of the season. The preparation ensures the team is capable of performing complex formations and advanced canopy manoeuvres safely and consistently throughout the demanding show schedule.

Among the members taking part in the season-opening performance was Sgt. Brennon Jones, a member of the 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment based in Petawawa.

Jones has served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 11 years and has accumulated approximately 800 parachute jumps during his military career. Following the demonstration, he spoke with Today’s Northumberland about his experience as a member of Canada’s premier military parachute team.

“There are a number of reasons why Canadians love seeing the SkyHawks, including the different formations and the teamwork,” said Jones. “But really, the best thing you could ask for is flying that Canadian flag above your head and being proud of what you’re doing.”

For approximately five minutes under canopy, each jumper is focused on positioning, manoeuvring, and coordinating with fellow team members as they work their way toward terra firma.

Despite the concentration required, Jones said there is a moment during every show when the focus shifts from the technical side of the demonstration to the people who have come to watch.

“As we get closer to the ground and start hearing the applause, that’s when things get exciting,” he said.

For Jones, interacting with members of the public following a performance is one of the most rewarding aspects of being part of the team.

“The best part about it is getting to interact with the crowd and everyone who makes the effort to come out and watch us.”

The SkyHawks’ performances often inspire curiosity among spectators, many of whom wonder what motivates someone to voluntarily jump from an aircraft thousands of feet above the ground.

Jones laughed when asked about the question that parachutists frequently hear: Why would anyone jump out of a perfectly good airplane?

His answer was simple.

“My friends started jumping out of airplanes and I was jealous about all their cool stories, so I had to do it too.”

Although the response was lighthearted, it reflects the passion shared by many members of the parachuting community who are drawn to the challenge, excitement, and camaraderie that comes with the sport.

The opening performance in Trenton served as both a celebration of the SkyHawks’ history and the beginning of another busy season for the team. Over the coming months, thousands of Canadians will have an opportunity to witness the skill and precision that have made the SkyHawks a favourite attraction at community events, military celebrations, air shows, and festivals for 55 years.

The team will waste little time before returning to the skies.

Their second performance of the season is scheduled for Thursday, June 4, at the Codrington Community Centre, where spectators will once again have the opportunity to watch members of the Canadian Armed Forces descend from the sky carrying the Maple Leaf and representing Canada with pride.

JUNE

03: SkyHawks season launch, Centennial Park, Trenton, ON
04: Northumberland County Fire Mutual Aid, Codrington, ON
06-07: Royal Canadian Legion 100th Anniversary, Iroquois Falls, ON
10: Armed Forces Day, North Bay, ON
10: RBC Open, Caledon, ON
13-14: Barrie Airshow, Barrie, ON
20-21: Cadet Squadron 821, Victoriaville, QC
24: Aérofête de Beauce, St-Georges, QC
27: Skyhawks Football, Belleville, ON
JULY

01: Canada Day – Ottawa, ON
04-05: Spruce Meadows – The North American, Calgary, AB
06: Royal Canadian Legion 3-Sisters Branch #3, Canmore, AB
10: Family, Fun, and Flight! Medicine Hat, AB
11: Snowbirds 55th Anniversary, Moose Jaw, SK
18-19: Cold Lake Airshow, Cold Lake, AB
25-26: Red Deer Regional Airshow, Red Deer, AB
28-29: Op Pegasus, Campbell River, BC
AUGUST

01-02: Grande Prairie Regional Airshow, Grande Prairie, AB
07-09: Abbotsford International Airshow, Abbotsford, BC
15: Highway of Heroes, Dartmouth, NS
21-23: Sky Drive – London Airshow, London, ON
29-30: Atlantic Airshow, Saint-John, NB
SEPTEMBER

05-06: Athens Flying Week, Athens, Greece
12-13: International Sanicole Airshow, Hechtel-Eksel, Belgium
18-20: Aero Gatineau Ottawa, Gatineau, QC
26: Wheels on the Runway, Kingston, ON
NOVEMBER

28: Vanier Cup, Quebec City, QC