The Canadian and American bases were built as an RCAF station and later a United States Air Force base known as Goose AB, housing units of the Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Defense Command. The northeast side of the facility was built to be a temporary RCAF base, complete with its own hangars and control tower, while the south side of the facility, built for the Americans, was being upgraded with its own aprons, hangars, earth-covered magazines, control tower and infrastructure. The field was listed as "all hard-surfaced" and had three runways listed as follows: Runway name In approximately 1942 the aerodrome was listed as RCAF Aerodrome – Goose Bay, Labrador at 53☂0′N 60☂4′W / 53.333°N 60.400°W / 53.333 -60.400 with a variation of 35 degrees west and elevation of 45 metres (147 ft). The 99-year lease arrangement with the United Kingdom was not finalized until October 1944. In time, the USAAF and the British Royal Air Force (RAF) each developed sections of the triangular base for their own use, but the airport remained under overall Canadian control despite its location in the Dominion of Newfoundland, not yet a part of Canada. By spring of 1942 the base, now carrying the wartime codename Alkali, was bursting with air traffic destined for the United Kingdom. The first land aircraft movement was recorded on 9 December 1941. Under pressure from Britain and the United States the Canadian Air Ministry worked at a record pace, and by November, threeĢ,100-metre (7,000 ft) gravel runways were ready. Having a Gander air base in Newfoundland I suggested we call the Labrador site Goose Bay airport and the suggestion was accepted." Įric Fry recalled: "The airport is actually located on the plateau at the west end of Terrington Basin but it is only five miles inland from the narrows between Goose Bay and Terrington Basin. These surveys used amphibious aircraft that landed at the Grenfell Mission from there the teams explored by boat. Fry beat by three days a similar United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) survey team under Captain Elliott Roosevelt the American team had first investigated nearby Epinette Point before joining Fry at the sandy plains that would become Goose Bay. While the flat and relatively weather-favoured area around North West River had for years been under consideration for an airport for the anticipated North Atlantic air routes, it was not until Eric Fry of the Dominion Geodetic Survey investigated the area on 1 July 1941 that the Goose Bay location was selected. CFB Goose Bay also serves as a forward operating location for RCAF CF-18 Hornet aircraft and the base and surrounding area is occasionally used to support units of the Canadian Army during training exercises. Two units compose 5 Wing: 444 Combat Support Squadron (flying the CH-146 Griffon) and 5 Wing Air Reserve Flight. The mission of 5 Wing is to support the defence of North American airspace, as well as to support the RCAF and allied air forces in training. CBSA officers at this airport can handle general aviation aircraft only, with no more than 15 passengers. The airport is classified as an airport of entry by Nav Canada and is staffed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). The airfield at CFB Goose Bay is also used by civilian aircraft, with civilian operations at the base referring to the facility as Goose Bay Airport. Its primary RCAF lodger unit is 5 Wing, commonly referred to as 5 Wing Goose Bay. It is operated as an air force base by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Lieutenant-Colonel Luc Sabourin, Wing Commanderġ1,051 ft (3,368 m) concrete with asphalt overlayĩ,580 ft (2,920 m) concrete with asphalt overlayĪvro Vulcan X元61 on display at CFB Goose BayĬanadian Forces Base Goose Bay ( IATA: YYR, ICAO: CYYR), commonly referred to as CFB Goose Bay, is a Canadian Forces Base located in the municipality of Happy Valley-Goose Bay in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
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