The U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels are traditionally the centrepiece of San Francisco’s annual Fleet Week — six F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter jets performing aerobatic manoeuvres in tight formation, to the delight of crowds.

This year, the U.S. government shutdown has grounded those navy flyers along with a host of other military craft. The navy said in a statement to media this week that, unless the shutdown is quickly quashed, military personnel will not be able to participate in the event.

Meanwhile, the show must go on, and so America’s allies to the north will step in.

The Snowbirds, red-and-white Tutor trainer jets familiar to Canadians from their appearances at Toronto’s CNE airshow and other events across the country, will have pride of place in the Fleet Week show this coming

See Full Page