Snowbirds pilot grounded over ‘sexual misconduct’ allegations, Canadian military says

A member of the Canadian military's aerial acrobatics squad, the Snowbirds, has been grounded over allegations of sexual misconduct," the Canadian Armed Forces announced Saturday.

Details of the allegation were not disclosed, but a statement by the Air Force commanders in Winnipeg and Moose Jaw, Sask., which is home to the Snowbirds, said that the complainant is also a member of the military.

The (Royal Canadian Air Force) takes all allegations of this nature seriously and is co-operating with investigators fully," the statement read. The member facing allegations has been reassigned to non-operational duties at 15 Wing Moose Jaw."

The Snowbirds, a high-profile stunt-flying team that acts as an ambassador for the Canadian military, will as a result fly as an eight-aircraft team - as opposed to the normal nine - for the foreseeable future," the statement read.

Allan Woods is a Montreal-based staff reporter for the Star. He covers global and national affairs. Follow him on Twitter: @WoodsAllan