Honorary Colonel Sandra Snow

Biography / August 5, 2016

Ms. Sandra Snow was appointed as Honorary Colonel of 415 Long Range Patrol and Force Development Squadron, 14 Wing Greenwood, NS in May 2018.

Honorary Colonel Snow graduated from Grade 13 in Manitouwadge, a small mining town in Northwestern Ontario. She joined the Canadian Armed Forces in January, 1979. She was awarded the Commandant’s Shield as the Top Recruit in her class in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia. Honorary Colonel Snow completed her trades training as an Integral System (IS) Technician in Borden, Ontario.

In 1982, Honorary Colonel Snow was participated on the winning Canadian Fincastle team in Australia (Fincastle is an anti-submarine warfare competition held annually between Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand). It was the first participation by the CP140 Aurora. She would be involved with the Aurora for 35 years.

In August 1994, Honorary Colonel Snow was the first woman to be promoted to Master Warrant Officer in her trade, and she was also the youngest Air Force member promoted to the rank of Master Warrant Officer in peace time. Honorary Colonel Snow made the important and difficult family decision to retire and in February 1999, after 20 years of honorable service. Her contribution to the Royal Canadian Air Force are also documented in the book 50 Years RCAF Airwomen 1951-2001.

After retirement, Honorary Colonel Snow continued her involvement with the CP140 Aurora fleet. She became the first contractor qualified as an Operational Test and Evaluation project officer with the Maritime Proving and Evaluation Unit. In September 2014, Honorary Colonel Snow was awarded the Elsie MacGill Northern Lights Government/Military Award for her significant contribution, as a role model in aviation and aerospace services and programs.

As a community leader, Honorary Colonel Snow served on town council and as President of the Valley Regional Hospital Foundation in Kentville. In October 2016, she was elected as the Mayor of Kentville, serving a four year term of office.