On 11 November 1942, 431 Bomber Squadron formed at Burn, England. They were in England for the duration of the war and moved to RCAF Station Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, after V-E Day, disbanding there on 5 September 1945. 431 Fighter Squadron formed at RCAF Station Bagotville on 18 January 1954 in order to display the Sabre to the public at airshows. They were disbanded on 1 October 1954.
They were re-activated on 1 April 1978 as 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, more commonly known as the Snowbirds, flying the CT-114 Tutor. On 15 October 1999, 431 Sqn was presented their Squadron Colours, for 25 years of service.