WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwired - Dec. 19, 2014) - National Defence
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Captain Denis "Cheech" Beaulieu as the pilot for the 2015 CF-18 Demonstration Team. Flying his specially painted CF-18 commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, Capt. Beaulieu will wow crowds around the continent during the 2015 air show season.
A native of Sherbrooke, Quebec, Capt. Beaulieu joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 2006 with the ambition of becoming a fighter pilot. Just five years later, he fulfilled that dream when he completed his CF-18 training and was posted to 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron in Bagotville, Quebec.
Quick Facts
- The CF-18 Demonstration Team selects a theme for each year and 2015 will feature the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. The specially painted CF-18 Hornet will feature a unique commemorative paint job designed by veteran Design Director, Jim Belliveau, at 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta. The Demo Hornet will be revealed later in 2015 prior to the start of the air show season.
- Capt. Beaulieu is currently a member of 425 "Alouettes" Tactical Fighter Squadron at 3 Wing Bagotville. Prior to joining the military he graduated in 2005 with a mechanical engineering degree from Sherbrooke University and from an engineering school in Paris, France, where he spent two years as an exchange student.
- During his time at 425 Squadron, Capt Beaulieu has participated in multiple training missions and exercises all over Canada, the USA and even South America. He also conducted many missions in Canada, as well as NATO missions in Iceland and Romania. He has over 1,100 flying hours on high performance military aircraft, including 780 hours on the CF-18 Hornet.
- In late April, Captain Beaulieu will take to the skies over Comox, BC, where the team conducts its annual training before launching the 2015 air show season.
Quotes
"The Royal Canadian Air Force has yet another opportunity to connect with its cherished history by commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain with our CF-18 demonstration team. Captain Beaulieu has proven his abilities and will be a great representative of the RCAF all over North America this year."
Major-General David Wheeler, Commander 1 Canadian Air Division and the Canadian NORAD Region
"I am really looking forward to taking the CF-18 all over Canada and the United States. This job gives me the opportunity to celebrate aviation with audiences all over, while flying the Hornet in a way that few pilots get to fly. Best of all, I get to do this all with a team of highly talented professionals who work together to put on a great show."
Captain Denis "Cheech" Beaulieu, 2015 CF-18 Demonstration Team Pilot
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