Hundreds gather to watch landing of large RCAF jet in Fort St. John as pilot takes opportunity to visit family

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The large Royal Canadian Air Force jet that flew over Fort St. John was piloted by a city native who used the opportunity to visit his family. 

On July 12th, a C-17 Globemaster III – one of the largest planes in the Canadian Air Force – made several passes over Fort St. John before it landed at North Peace Regional Airport.

It is 53.04m long with a 51.74m wingspan, and can haul three CH-146 Griffon helicopters with refuelling tanks or 102 paratroopers.

Jerin Roberts, a captain who grew up in Fort St. John, was behind the wheel of the jet, which was flying in from Trenton, Ontario.

“I felt very proud, very privileged,” said Roberts. 

Roberts took the opportunity to visit his family, but was taken aback by the local turnout of around 50 cars and hundreds of people witnessing the landing.

“I thought it was a great opportunity to come back to where it all began,” said Roberts.

“I just felt great support from the community, I was very surprised by how many people came out.” 

Roberts was flying the jet from Ontario for a training exercise and described flying the plane as an “incredible experience.” 

“It handles very much like a smaller plane, you often forget how much airplane is behind you, it’s a fantastic piece of equipment and it does the job very well,” said Roberts. 

One of the family members who greeted him was his sister, Jenessa Lowes, who appreciated his visit despite needing to take off again after one hour. 

“We were all just so proud, so excited and then it was also very sad when he had to leave,” said Lowes. 

Lowe described watching the plane land as a “surreal experience.”

“It’s just shockingly big when you walk up to it and because he left the engines running, it was loud and it was almost overwhelming for everyone,” said Lowes. 

Roberts said he loves flying planes and serving his country. 

“I’ve achieved everything that I’ve ever dreamt of in the armed forces,” he concluded. 

“I’d like to stay in this position as long as I can.”