RCAF Station Whitehorse
Encyclopedia
RCAF Station Whitehorse was originally opened by the Department of Transport as "Whitehorse airfield". It is located at what is now the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport.
The airport was transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force
in 1942 as part of the system called the Northwest Staging Route. Designated as RCAF Station Whitehorse, it had detachments at Teslin, Aishihik, and Snag and in 1946, at Watson Lake.
After World War II, RCAF Station Whitehorse continued to function primarily as a refueling point on the Alaska route. The Department of Transport took over the operation of the airport, but the RCAF remained. In 1948, the station at Prince Rupert closed and the intercept positions were moved to Whitehorse.
The station's function changed to primarily a Radio Unit, namely, No. 5 Radio Unit. It became part of the Canadian Forces Supplementary Radio System in 1966 and was renamed Canadian Forces Station Whitehorse with the transfer to the Supplementary Radio System (SUPRAD). RCAF operations were limited to radio intercept. It was short lived operation as CFS Whitehorse closed in 1968.
The airport was transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
in 1942 as part of the system called the Northwest Staging Route. Designated as RCAF Station Whitehorse, it had detachments at Teslin, Aishihik, and Snag and in 1946, at Watson Lake.
After World War II, RCAF Station Whitehorse continued to function primarily as a refueling point on the Alaska route. The Department of Transport took over the operation of the airport, but the RCAF remained. In 1948, the station at Prince Rupert closed and the intercept positions were moved to Whitehorse.
The station's function changed to primarily a Radio Unit, namely, No. 5 Radio Unit. It became part of the Canadian Forces Supplementary Radio System in 1966 and was renamed Canadian Forces Station Whitehorse with the transfer to the Supplementary Radio System (SUPRAD). RCAF operations were limited to radio intercept. It was short lived operation as CFS Whitehorse closed in 1968.