Airshow tickets launch June 24th

As we mentioned in a previous entry – see Government of Canada to procure new aircraft for the iconic Canadian Forces Snowbirds – the 2026 season will be the last time the Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be using their Candair CT-114 Tutor aircraft, and the CT-157 Siskin II (Pilatus PC21) won’t ready until the early 2030s.  So be sure to catch this last Snowbird performance for the next 3-5 years.


Greetings!

Less than 30 days until launch! Here are some updated details to get you spooled up.

Wednesday, June 24th, at noon Pacific Time, marks CCA’s 2026 deep discount ticket launch! As an Air Show Insider, you get the first chance to purchase tickets, scoring special deep discounts not available to the general public. Don’t miss this opportunity to secure your spot at the year’s lowest prices!

Discount Tickets Will Sell Out Quickly

We are going all out to celebrate America’s 250th Birthday! Prepare to be left slack-jawed with the return of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the spectacular Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds, and some of the best pilots in the world!

Even better, we are bringing back an upgraded Night Show for BOTH Saturday and Sunday! Featuring heart-pounding flying performances, jaw-dropping fireworks, and the thrill of afterburners against the twilight sky, this year’s event promises unforgettable moments.

2026 Ticket & Event Revamp: We Heard You!

We read years of survey responses, and your message was clear. You told us what you loved and what needed fixing, and we are taking action:

Cooler Weather

We heard your feedback on the summer heat! We are thrilled to officially return to our traditional October dates for a much more comfortable experience.

Expanded General Admission

We’ve redesigned the layout to give GA ticket holders much more space to spread out along the runway and better views of the show.

Upgraded Premium Experiences

We are bringing back true exclusivity to our premium areas with more shade, private restrooms, enhanced food and beverage offerings, and great views of all the aviation action.

There’s something for everyone at a range of price points. Stay tuned to your inbox for all the exciting details!

A “SOLD OUT!” Airshow is Expected

Given the monster lineup, the return of cooler Fall weather, and peak demand for the Night Show, we expect this year’s Airshow to sell out before the weekend. Previous years saw tickets sell out quickly, so securing your discounted tickets at launch will ensure you don’t miss out on our best and most comfortable show to date.

IMPORTANT – Don’t Miss the Deep Discounts & Essential Show Updates

We want to make sure you receive the launch email and important show updates. If you haven’t already, please add insider@californiacapitalairshow.com to your trusted email list or address book.

If you have any questions, please hit reply and let us know. We’ll be sending additional ticket launch details in the coming weeks.

Have a wonderful weekend,

“Az”

Your California Capital Air Show Insider

2026 California Capital Airshow

Celebrating 20 Years & America’s 250th Birthday with the

United States Air Force Thunderbirds
and the
Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds!
October 10-11, 2026

Sacramento Mather Airport – KMHR

Presented by Sacramento County in partnership with the City of Rancho Cordova

______________________________________________________________________

California Capital Airshow | (916) 876-7568 insider@californiacapitalairshow.com | https://CaliforniaCapitalAirshow.com/

Canada lost the war in Afghanistan: Top diplomat Ben Rowswell speaks out

An item from the Legion Magazine that may be of interest to members.


Weekly Feature
Observation Post

Canadian Master Bombardier Clint Godsoe (right) of the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team patrols the province on Aug. 26, 2008, on the way to deliver donated school supplies to a local school. [ISAF Headquarters Public Affairs Office/Wikipedia]

Canada lost the war in Afghanistan: Top diplomat Ben Rowswell speaks out

STORY BY RICHARD FOOT​​​​​​​

Ben Rowswell remembers the sinking feeling he had flying out of Kandahar in the summer of 2010. As the brown earth of southern Afghanistan receded below him, the despair inside him grew.

Rowswell had spent the previous two years serving at the highest civilian levels of Canada’s mission in Afghanistan, first as deputy ambassador in Kabul, then as the Representative of Canada in Kandahar (known as the RoCK), overseeing a NATO Provincial Reconstruction Team, from 2009 onward.

He led a team of about 80 civilians building infrastructure, such as schools and irrigation projects, and providing other support, including training for security and governance, to the people and local authorities of Kandahar province. Their work, alongside the combat and security efforts of the Canadian battle group, was the cornerstone of Canada’s mission to “stabilize” the Kandahar region and win the counter-insurgency war there.

READ MORE

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The Briefing
The Briefing

Naval Commander James Campbell Clouston. [Courtesy Clouston family via Brian Jeffery Street]

Biographer Brian Jeffrey Street on the Canadian hero of Dunkirk, Part 1

STORY BY ALEX BOWERS

“He’s been with me for a long time,” said biographer Brian Jeffrey Street of the largely forgotten Canadian war hero he has chronicled for decades. Naval Commander James Campbell Clouston’s efforts during the Dunkirk evacuations were vital to its success.

From May 26 to June 4, 1940, as German forces closed in on the French port and dominated the skies above, the British Royal Navy, alongside a fleet of civilian vessels, ferried more than 338,000 beleaguered Allied troops across the English Channel. The retreat from continental Europe was an undeniable defeat that precipitated the fall of France, but the evacuation itself—code-named Operation Dynamo—would epitomize British pluck and determination to many at home, despite the debacle.

READ MORE

Member Benefit Partner

IRIS

A Special Offer from VIA Rail to celebrate the Legion’s 100th anniversary

An offer that was sent out by Dominion Command that may be of interest to members who wish to travel across Canada this year.


Year-Round Learning & Patriotism

An item from the Wreaths Across America that may be of interest to members.


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Over the last 20 years, I have had many conversations with veterans from different conflicts throughout our nation’s history. One concern they all seem to share is whether the next generation truly understands the cost of freedom and the human sacrifice behind the liberties we enjoy every day. That is why patriotism must go hand in hand with stewardship, responsibility, and service to others.
As generations pass, it falls on us to carry forward the lessons they learned and the values they fought to protect. The challenge is inspiring a sense of patriotism and urgency in a generation that, thankfully, has not experienced the kind of all-encompassing national conflicts like World War II, where every man, woman, and child played a role.

Click here to read my full message, and keep scrolling to learn more about our year-round mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach.

Sincerely,

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Karen Worcester

Wreaths Across America’s Executive Director

WAA in the News

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Wreaths Across America and The American Legion Announce New Partnership

Wreaths Across America and The American Legion are proud to announce the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), formalizing a collaborative partnership focused on supporting veterans, service members and military families across the country. This partnership reflects the shared commitment of both organizations to honor service, strengthen communities and expand opportunities for American Legion posts to engage in meaningful fundraising while supporting the yearlong mission of WAA. Read more about this partnership at the button.

Download the NEW Wreaths Across America Radio App

Take WAA Radio with you anywhere — get the official app on your device.

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Summer Learning with the Teach Program

 School is coming to a close, and the WAA Teach Program has summer learning covered! Share our lesson plans with a young person in your life, including our Flag Day plans! Celebrated June 14, Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States. Access all of our curriculum at the button below.

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Remember Me Story Gallery

Remember Me Tristen Wright

Help us identify service members who deserve to be remembered. These could be family members, local heroes, or names from your local cemetery that few people know.

Please submit names, photos, and stories at the button below. You can also view the gallery of stories. Be sure to use #RememberMe on social media!

Sponsor Spotlight

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We are deeply grateful to Crowley and DARCARS for their continued support of the Wreaths Across America mission. Your commitment helps us ensure that every hero is remembered, honored, and taught to future generations.

Through your generosity and partnership, we are able to expand our reach, engage more communities, and carry forward the important work of placing wreaths on the headstones of our nation’s veterans. Thank you for standing with us and for sharing in this mission to remember, honor and teach.

Featured Merchandise

Show your support while keeping your essentials organized in the WAA wallet! Featuring weather-resistant AeroLOFT fabric to keep it lightweight, the main compartment has a zippered closure and there’s an additional stash side-pocket for smaller items. The wallet and the attached carabiner can be clipped to a keyring, backpack or belt loop.   

Click on the button to purchase the wallet, or view all of our merchandise here.

 
 

Make sure to follow Wreaths Across America official channels on social media for the most up-to-the-minute news on the mission throughout the year:

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Wreaths Across America, PO Box 249, Columbia Falls, ME 04623, United States, 877-385-9504