RCAF Station Charlottetown - RCAF Station Charlottetown

RCAF Station Charlottetown

The RAF presence in Prince Edward Island disappeared when the No. 31 GRS ceased operation in February 1944 and the RCAF's No. 2 Air Navigation School (ANS) began operation. At this time the airfield changed its name to RCAF Station Charlottetown. The No. 2 ANS ceased operation in July 1945 and the No. 1 Aircraft Holding Unit (AHU) used the aerodrome for a short period until it closed later in 1945. All military activities were subsequently transferred to RCAF Station Summerside.

Over 1200 students from Commonwealth nations had graduated from the facility. Approximately 200-300 RCAF and RAF personnel had been stationed at the training base and it employed 100 civilian workers during peak training operations.

Along with RCAF Station Summerside, the Charlottetown base also supported various patrol operations by the RCAF's Eastern Command, including coastal patrol aircraft dedicated to hunting German U-boats which were operating in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and St. Lawrence River during the 1942-1944 period. U-boats sank dozens of cargo and warships during the Battle of the St. Lawrence.

Following the base's decommissioning, the Department of Transport took over the Charlottetown Airport from the RCAF on February 1, 1946 and the airfield returned to civilian use.

Coordinates: 46°16′50″N 063°07′25″W / 46.28056°N 63.12361°W / 46.28056; -63.12361 (RCAF Station Charlottetown)

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