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From
1941 when the airfield was first constructed
as a landing and refueling stop for the
Atlantic Ferry Command, to its present role
as a tactical flight training centre for the
German, British, and Dutch Air Forces, the
military has had a major impact on the area.
Many sites and attractions in Happy Valley -
Goose Bay reflect the inherent role that the
military has played in forming the history of
this region.
5
Wing Goose Bay Aerodrome is centered on the
geographical coordinates 53 19'09"N60
25'33"W and is 10 NM in radius and
extends from surface to 4000 ASL inclusive.
The magnetic variation is 28W and the field
elevation is 160' ASL. 5 Wing Goose Bay
Aerodrome is owned and operated by the
Department of National Defence.
 Labrador
Military Museum
This
small museum, located 5 Wing Goose Bay,
features items from the Canadian, American,
Dutch, German, and British Air Forces. Flying
suits, radar scopes, and other military items
are on display. Location:
Loring Drive, Building 295. Telephone: (709)
896-6900 ext. 2177
Lest-We-Forget
Cemetery / Commonwealth Cemetery
Twenty-eight
of the war graves at this cemetery contain
airmen from the Royal Canadian Air Force,
most of which were killed when their aircraft
crashed in this area during World War II.
Location: Approximately two kilometers past
the Canadian Forces Base Arena. Telephone:
(709) 798-6900, ext. 7093
The
Pease Street Bunkers
These
bunkers were constructed following the end of
the Second World War by the United States Air
Force. The World War II era bunkers that do
remain are located north of the airfield, not
far from the
Lest-We-Forget Cemetery, and were used to
store various types of ammunition during
World War II. Location: Off Loring Drive
Soccer Field, 5 Wing Goose Bay.
Northern
Lights Military Museum
View
part of this province’s military history
at the Northern Lights Military Museum. A
variety of artifacts, including uniforms,
medals, documents, weapons, and photographs,
from the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, World
War II, and the Vietnam War are all housed
here. Location: Northern
Lights Building, 170 Hamilton River Road.
Season: Year Round, Tues-Sat. Admission:
free. Contact: Bruce Haynes. Telephone: (709)
896-5939
Airplane
Monuments
Three
aircraft are on display in the Happy
Valley - Goose Bay area. Donated by the
United States Airforce, a T33 (American
T-Bird) is located across from the Town Hall
on Hamilton River Road; a Vulcan Low Level
Bomber was donated by the Royal Air Force and
is situated near the Goose Bay Airport; a
Voo-Doo CF-101 monument aircraft property of
the Department of National Defense sits in
front of the 5 Wing Goose Bay Headquarters on
Forbes Road (Bldg. 512).
Pine
Tree Lookout
Located
on the summit of a very prominent hill ten
kilometres (six miles) northwest of the
Airfield, the Pine Tree Radar site was a key
link in the North American defense system
during the cold war. Construction started on
the site in 1951 and was completed in 1954.
Originally the site was a totally
self-contained facility with fire/rescue,
messes, quarters and even a bowling alley.
The site now contains a number of automated
facilities and is the best lookout in the
area. There is a viewing platform on the
southern side of the hill. The lookout
offers, wonderful views of the entire
airfield, the Town of Happy Valley - Goose
Bay, and large expansive views well out into
Lake Melville, the surrounding landscape and
up the Churchill River valley. The site is
accessed by a road from the community. It is
well worth time to visit.
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