Restricted
50-3 (ADE)
Canadian Embassy
Ambassade du Canada
11 Jul 52
Attention: W/C FH Darragh
Chief of the Air Staff,
Air Force Headquarters,
Ottawa, Canada.
Establishment of 2 Fighter Wing at RCAF Station Grostenquin – Timing
Our letter of 21 May 52, 50-3 (ADE) under the title "Planned Personnel Build-Up 2 Fighter Wing Headquarters" gave a tentative schedule for introduction of personnel to Grostenquin. Signal ADE 03, dated 8 Jul 52, requested changes. This letter will review the situation.
Construction at Grostenquin is generally up to schedule. While it is appreciated that delays may occur in a number of important items, there is no positive indication yet that such will be the case. It was agreed from the start that the station would be opened as quickly as possible in order to impress SHAPE with our determination to fulfill our commitments. The splendid response of the French had lead to a secondary motive to make a good showing in order to satisfy them that their efforts will have been worthwhile. For these reasons very little safety margin has been left.
Changes requested in our original ADE 03, dated 8 Jul 52, for personnel arrivals do not affect timing of equipment including ME for which no change is contemplated.
The first arrivals on 15 Aug 52 and 1 Sep 52 are to be housed and fed off the station. The task of those people is to position equipment and to establish messing and barrack facilities for the major party, called Phase II. It was considered advisable to widen the gap between Phase I and Phase II personnel in order to allow for accidents. Since Phase I is to be the domestic working party time may actually be saved by delaying Phase II until the station is better organized.
It is regretted that it has not been possible to send the Commanding Officer when requested. He should now come as soon as it is reasonably possible.
It is presumed that the three squadrons will ferry their aircraft. Hence, our signal recommended that they leave Canada not before 15 Oct 52. By the time they arrive, the station should be reasonably well organized to support the flying commitment and provided ground crews come before the aircraft, the squadrons should be able to go right to work.
It is understood that it is no longer the intention to air-transport personnel. Such being the case, it is recommended that a considerable airlift capacity be kept in hand during the period 15 Aug 52 until 15 Nov 52 for the immediate delivery to Grostenquin of critical items or personnel.
In summary therefore
(a) Equipment, including ME, to be delivered as already arranged. (No change)
(b) CO, CAdO, and SSO to arrive at the earliest date. (AFHQ delay)
(c) Advance party to arrive 15 Aug 52. (No change)
(d) Phase I personnel to arrive 1 Sep 52. (No change)
(e) Phase II personnel to arrive 25 Sep 52. (Air Div change)
(f) Phase III to gradually build up to fill strength beginning 1 Oct 52. (No change)
(g) Squadron aircraft to leave Canada (by air) 15 Oct 52. (Not included in original letter)
(KLB Hodson) A/C
Chief Staff Officer
RCAF Air Division (Europe)
Planning Team
(2)
AMP
AMTS
Cplans
CAOps
Ctel
Carm
DOE
For your information
(FH Darragh) W/C
CAS/EA
24 Jul 52