History of the Base
American military personnel with dog sled team, Labrador, Winter 1944/45
Photo courtesy John McCullough, Atlanta, Georgia
During the spring of 1941 Canada and the United States sent expedition teams to search for an appropriate airfield site on the Atlantic Seaboard. Both teams recommended Goose Bay as an ideal location because of its level sandy plateau and clear weather. In September 1941 work began on the airfield and in only 79 days three 7000 foot runways were constructed. The Goose Bay airfield was a major ferrying point for aircraft traveling to and from Europe during the Second World War and served as an important strategic location during the Cold War. From October 1942 until the end of the war, 24, 000 aircraft passed through Goose Bay making it the busiest airport in the world during this time. During its 50th anniversary in the summer of 1991 the Goose Bay airfield was once again heavily used by Canadian and American militaries to transport troops and supplies to the Persian Gulf. Today 5 Wing Goose Bay is host to a wide range of allied military partners conducting tactical flight training exercises. Our airport is also an official alternate landing site for the NASA shuttle due to its high quality infrastructure and superb weather conditions. Click here to go to our photo gallery of historic photos.
The United States Air Force (USAF) maintained a considerable presence in Goose Bay following the end of World War II. With the onset of the Cold War there was general consensus that security radar warning sites were required as safety precautions to the Soviet threat. Once again Goose Bay proved to be an ideal location. Construction of the Melville Air Force Station (located on atop a hill six miles northwest of the airfield) began in July 1951 and was completed in November 1954. The unit was totally self contained with messes, staff quarters, and even a bowling ally. If you would like to find more information on this and other North American radar sites please visit PineTree Line or Melville Air Station. If you were once stationed in Goose Bay and would like to get in contact with other people who may have served with you, you can visit the Goose Bay Brats.
In the late 1950's the Royal Air Force (RAF) of the United Kingdom began using Goose Bay as a tactical flight training area for their Vulcan bombers and over time other air forces became interested in the advantages of training in the area. The RAF were joined by the German Air Force (GAF) in 1981 and the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNAF) in 1986. In the fall of 1996 a ten year Multinational Memorandum of Understanding (MMOU) was signed with the RAF, the GAF, and the RNAF. In 1999 the Italian Air Force (ITAF) also signed into the MMOU. In the 2001 flying season the various participants conducted a total of 7526 sorties (flights) at 5 Wing Goose Bay. However there is plenty of space left to accommodate any other participants considering training at 5 Wing Goose Bay given that the total allowable sorties is 18, 000.
The Canadian Air Force has also played an important complimentary role to the tactical training program at 5 Wing Goose Bay. The 444 Combat Support Squadron is equipped with four CH-146 Griffon helicopters and its primary mission is to provide rapid response to local emergencies during flight operations. It also has a secondary mission of providing a twelve hour search and rescue standby for national Search and Rescue taskings.
Goose Bay’s military flight training program is the primary source of employment in the area, with the Base employing almost 500 civilians. These training programs account for the creation of an additional 700 government and service sector jobs within the area. The total economic impact upon the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador amounts to $90 million of the Gross Domestic Product.
In 1996 the Department of National Defense (DND) contracted out all non-core services to SERCo in an effort to reduce the costs to both themselves and the allied training participants. A United Kingdom based company, SERCo has a lengthy record of experience in providing base facility services throughout the world. The DND estimates that the five year Alternate Service Delivery (ASD) contract will reduce the costs of operating the base by as much as $200 million a year. These reduced costs mean that both the Canadian government and the allied training partners will save money in the future.
The Town of Happy Valley - Goose Bay recognizes the vital importance of continued tactical flight training exercises by our participants and is committed to ensuring its continuing success.