Gander, NF

The first military installation in the Gander area was the "Naval Radio Station" which was located on the north east boundary of the present town of Gander. The Radio Station was established in 1938 by the British Air Ministry to provide communications and direction finding facilities for transatlantic flights. In 1940, the station was taken over by the Department of Transport and operated throughout the second world war by the Department of Transport and Canadian naval personnel. At the end of the war in 1945, the facility was turned over, in toto, to the Royal Canadian Navy and it has been operated by the Canadian Military since that date.

Initially, the Naval Radio Station consisted of an Administration/Operations/Quarters building combined in one. A direction finding hut was located near the present CNR railway station. This hut was moved to the Naval Radio Station in 1951 and was later declared surplus and destroyed by a supervised burning in 1965. Between the years of 1945 and 1952, a 3-bay garage, storage building, inflammable storage area, carpenter shop, electronics stores, an auxiliary power unit building, and three side-by-side duplex permanent married quarters were constructed. Due to severe deterioration, the stores building was dismantled in 1964 and replaced by a general purpose hut.

In the summer of 1965, a new concrete septic tank was constructed and a new concrete floor was installed in the inflammable stores building. In 1966, the Administration/Operations/Quarters building was completely rewired and all heating lines were replaced.

The original base at Gander was completed in 1939-40 and was operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force. During the war years the Royal Canadian Air Forces acted as host service for the Royal Air Force, the United States Army Air Force and the Royal Canadian Army. In 1946, the Royal Canadian Air Force relinquished the air base to the Newfoundland Government who, in turn, passed control to the Canadian Department of Transport on 1 April 1949, the date of Confederation. The Ministry of Transport operates the air field facilities as an International Airport to this date.

The next phase of military involvement in the Gander area was the construction of 226 Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, a ground control interception radar site under the Royal Canadian Air Force Air Defence Command. The construction of this site commenced in the spring of 1952. The contract for the construction phase was awarded to Fraser Brace Construction Limited, of Montreal, Quebec, by the United States Government, who bore the entire cost of the project. An engineer of the United States Air Force was assigned to Gander to oversee the contractor during construction.

The design of the station was that of a Group 2 radar site of the United States Air Force standard, differing greatly from the Canadian built sites in design and facilities. Initially, there were no allowances made for sports and recreation for the personnel. Even space for messes was not included.

By the winter of 52/53, six of the original 31 buildings were completed. These included buildings number 19, 25, 26, H2, DCH1, and Barrack Block #8. The remaining buildings were turned over by the fall of 1953. Installation of the operational equipment continued throughout the winter of 1953 and by the spring of 1954, 226 Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron assumed a fully operational role.

Immediately after acceptance from the contractor, renovations were made to accommodate messes. The upstairs lounge area in Barrack block #8 was remodelled as a combined Senior NCO’s and Officer’s Mess and building number 10, steel-lox, was changes to an Airmen’s Mess. The location for the Senior NCO’s and Officer’s Mess was temporary for renovations were already in progress on the west end of Barrack block 7, turning this area into the combined Officer’s-Senior NCO’s Mess. During the period 1953 to 1955, 123 permanent married quarters were constructed by Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation. These units were dispersed throughout the town of Gander, which was being constructed for the civilian populace to replace the temporary quarters in old buildings left over from the war time operation of Gander. The completion of the new permanent married quarters gave the military a total of 129 units with the three duplexes at the Naval Radio Station.

With the station being built in such a compact manner, space was at a premium. In looking for ways to solve this space problem, the military took over an old United States Army Air Force hospital located on the north side of the station. The building, now known as building 86, was taken over in 1955 and renovated to accommodate a HQ Admin., Cpl’s. Club, Airmen’s Mess, Hobby Shop and CE Storage area.

The original entrance to the station was located to the east of Tower #3, with the main entry roadway between building #5, which was the headquarters, and building #7. One over-sight on the construction of the station was the lack of a Guardhouse at the point of entry. This situation was corrected in October 1957 when a Guardhouse and new entry to the station was constructed at the present location.

By November 1958, the eyes of renovation were again focused on building #86 and a team of Staff Advisers were brought in from Air Defence Command HQ. Their proposals were implemented and completed by August 1959. Building #86 now contained HQ Administration, Airmen’s Mess, Senior NCO’s Mess, Officer’s Mess, Senior NCO’s quarters, Officer’s quarters, Mess Hall and Supply.

By April 1960, the lack of recreation facilities was overcome with the completion of a Recreation Centre. This new facility contained a Recreation Hall, two bowling alleys, theatre, snack bar, pool and barber shop. By June 1960, a sports field was constructed; this included a softball diamond, baseball diamond, tennis court, soccer field and a small track.

From June 1960 to 1970, there was no major construction or change to the Station. The work carried out is shown as indicated according to date.

A complete renovation to the Airmen’s Club commenced, and station road reconstruction.

Construction of Tower #4 and corridor 4 at the Radar Squadron.

Offices were built in Tower #1 to accommodate the Telecom section. Major modifications were carried out to the power plant diesels. The balance of building 86 was renovated to accommodate the supply section, photo section, and the Nursing Sister’s quarters. Supply moved out of building 13. The CE Section moved from buildings 5, 6 and 7 to building 13/15.

The Sgt.’s Mess was completely renovated.

The official opening of the Airmen’s Radome Club took place; lounge, bar, stag room and games room.

A rigid radome was installed on Tower #4.

A rigid radome was installed on Tower #1.

TX and RX Sites declared surplus and removed.

Extension to building 24 Guardhouse.

The Officer’s Mess was renovated.

Construction on the Curling Rink commenced.

Curling rink officially opened 4 Dec.

Major road repairs and resurfacing carried out. Extensive repairs were carried out on the roof of building #86. A major rood repair project to building #86 was completed at the cost of $10,000.

A 25 yard firing range adjacent to the old Navy Site was completed.

DCL (1951) Ltd. Held an on-site meeting for the construction of a new Naval Operations building. The contract was awarded to Inspiration Construction Company Ltd., Ottawa. The cost of the project to be $1,800,000 with the completion date September 1968.

Building 23, fuel railway-car unloading pumphouse, located adjacent to the DOT heating plant, declared surplus and removed. Annex to curling rink to provide a lounge area.

Installation of Canex Automobile gas pumps, building #32. Assumed control of property records for Newfoundland and Labrador including NSAW sirens.

New pumping equipment installed in sewage lift station. Renovations to OR Mess, Officer’s Mess and Senior NCO’s Mess completed.

Refrigeration equipment and piping replaced in Temperature Controlled Warehouse. Sixty new MQ’s constructed and tentatively accepted from CMHC. In Jun 71, the new Operations building became fully operational, four years after contract award. Old operations site declared surplus and all buildings removed.

MIR extension (Dental Clinic) and renovation building #9 (FWIP). Carpenter shop extension building #11 (FWIP). Officer’s and Senior NCO’s quarters renovated building #86 (FWIP). Boilers replaced – Armouries in Grand Falls and Corner Brook (FWIP). Extension of 226 AC&W Squadron complex for administration offices completed.

During the years between 1973 and 1976 there was little major work done. Two arrestor barriers were installed in runway 14-42 at the International Airport during 1973. Other minor work during 1973 included renovations to BB 8, paving the parking lot in Corner Brook Armoury, and installing a fire alarm system in building 102.

In 1974, the United States Pinetree Line Site at Table Mountain, outside of Stephenville, was declared surplus. Accounts and the Junior Ranks Stag Lounge were renovated. The Dry Chemical Fire Control system was installed in the Combined Mess in 1974.

In 1975 an extension for administration was built on to the Central Heating Plant, and a new Blow-Down Tank was installed. Some minor renovations were carried out to the Armouries in Stephenville.

In 1976 authority was granted to purchase 155 MQ’s from CMHC, which included those that were formerly leased. BB #7 was renovated to provide quarters for the Air Command 416 Squadron personnel on Detachment who formerly occupied commercial accommodation in the town. Buildings 5 and 6 were also renovated for the CE, Paint, Electrical and Roads and Grounds shops.

1977 was a year of change and expansion for CFS Gander. It started in January with a Search and Rescue unit being established at CFS Gander. In February the Station provided support for Exercise Northern Ranger. The former Eastern Aviation Contractors Hangar was purchased by DND for occupancy by 103 Rescue Unit on 1 Mar (650K). Fifteen Housing Units were leased from CMHC in April. Partial command and control of the station was assumed by Air Command in April, with full command and control occurring in May. During the year, an extensive rehabilitation program was carried out on the MQ’s purchased from CMHC. Work included installation of showers, new electrical service panels, new combination storm doors and windows, new pre-cast concrete steps, new sidewalks, additional attic insulation, and painting. In August work started on the construction of a new 36 other rank barrack block (600K). Work started on an extension to building 17, the MSE Section in October (375K). In November work started on interior renovations to 103 Rescue Unit Hangar to provide work shop space (100K). Work started in December to replace the heating system within the hangar (110K).

Expansion continued in 1978 with extensive interior renovations to the hangar occupied by 103 Rescue Unit. Work commenced in the late fall on a general service equipment building (157K) and a refuelling tender garage (141K) in the proximity of the 103 RU garage. Work continued to upgrade the PMQs.

During 1979 the GSE building and RT garage were completed and accepted with various discrepancies several months behind schedule due to late material deliveries to the contractor. Contracts were let and work began on a fire hall (513K) and on phase I of a supply warehouse (271K). The basements of 59 PMQs were insulated which improved the standards of those houses considerably. The accounts and supply administrative areas were renovated to provide a more efficient working space and atmosphere. An addition measuring 10 feet x 15 feet was built to the 103 RU servicing blister thereby enabling all Cold Shaft servicing support to be provided out of the 103 RU servicing blister. Communications were removed from the MOT "finger" area and lease terminated.

The wire chief’s room in 226 Squadron was renovated to serve as a CFS Gander Command Post.

During 1980 the fire hall and new supply building were completed. An auxiliary fire brigade was formed but fire fighting responsibility remained with MOT due to late installation of a fire alarm control panel. A new three tone fire siren was installed on top of building #8 with twenty-four hour control set up in 226 Squadron DMCC. Supply moved warehousing out of building #86 to the newly constructed warehouse. An AIRCOM and NDHQ staff visit determined the new supply warehouse was only one half the size required and recommended an addition of 70 x 80 feet with mezzanine to accommodate all supply admin and clothing stores as well.

As well during 1980, 384K worth of construction work was done at the World War II munitions bunkers. Work entailed renovating five bunkers, clearing brush, and fencing the area. The bunkers were intended to accommodate CFS Gander explosives as well as munitions for all militia in Newfoundland. CFS St. John’s was storing these munitions at various locations including the United States base at Argentia. MARCOM reneged on the agreement to establish armaments technicians to man the location and this deferred declaring the site operational. An alternate access road was constructed from the CFS Gander recreation centre to the bunker access road.

The taxiway access from inactive runway 09-27 to 103 RU hangar was resurfaced during the late summer 1980. All fill removed from the taxiway was dumped into the bog at the CFS Gander MSE compound resulting in a tripling in size of the compound. The compound was fenced and construction started on a proper sand and storage building. A contract was let to install three fuel tanks (unleaded, leaded and diesel) with dispensers in the enlarged MSE compound. Freeze up occurred before installation was commenced. Nevertheless, two fuel tanks with dispensers were installed between the GSE building and R/T garage by 103 RU.

An extension was constructed to the CE plumbing shop and an addition made to the CE supply stores.

The DND owned cable plant was expanded with buried cable from the MDF located in the 226 Squadron complex to BB 7 for future renovation to a station HQ, to the new fire hall, to the new supply building and to the location of the proposed new guard house. The project also buried cabling from the corner of the heating plant adjacent to the CE around the building and into 226 Squadron. Preliminary engineering and design commenced for accommodation of the proposed SL-1 fully electronic PBX and switchboard. A 16 pair buried cable was installed between the munitions bunker site and the power line which runs from the station boundary towards Gander Lake.

The firing range at the old Navy Site was condemned and plans were drawn up to construct a 75 yard range adjacent to the 770 Comm Squadron site.