RCAF Station Gypsumville
Pinetree Line Radar Station
General Information
Base / Station: Gypsumville
Province: Manitoba
Period(s) of Use: 1964-1987
Units:
- No. 47 Radar Squadron
- CFS Gypsumville
Structures:
Commanding Officers:
Unit Duties / Information:
Opened January 28, 1963 as part of the Pinetree Line of radar stations. It became fully operational January 23, 1964. The station was placed under control of 23rd NORAD sector in Duluth, Minnesota.
When Integration came into effect February 1, 1968, the station was redesignated No. 47 Radar Squadron.
In 1969 control of the station was transferred to 24th NORAD Region.
The role of Gypsumville did not change following the creation of Air Command – it remained responsible for the detection of intruding aircraft within North American air space.
Aircraft Flown: N/A
Financial Impact:
- $250,000,000 (1963-87)
- $9,932,200/year (average)
Station Magazine/Newspaper:
Date / Reason for closure:
The base closed in 1987 due to a combination of budget cuts and, due mainly to the fact that technology had so vastly advanced, the system was outdated.
Site details:
- Married Quarters:
- Aerodrome:
- a single runway aerodrome was constructed and operated by the Department of National Defence at the station.
- The Publication On Track…the Pilot’s Air Travel Guide (First Annual Edition – 1978) lists the Aerodrome as “Gypsum – Military” – See photos on this page.
Post RCAF Evolution:
Current Status: Decommissioned/ Abandoned
(Department of National Defence)
Location – Google Map
Photo Gallery
For More information – External Links
- Wikipedia
- MilitaryBruce.com – Canadian Military History by Bruce Forsyth
- http://www.grahamdale.ca/mobile/detailSub.aspx?pageCode=8EF02610-95E0-4775-BB42-B00385C5D716&subPageCode=CF1A3D3F-E1B8-41DE-B8D9-D5B8AFD37C70
- https://fire.fandom.com/wiki/CFS_Gypsumville_Fire_Department
- http://www.c-and-e-museum.org/Pinetreeline/other/other20/other20j.html
- https://civildefencemuseum.ca/gypsumville-mb
We enjoyed our time in gyp. My husband went there in Sept 1965 and waited for a pmq. To become available and we went there in Aug 1966. We had 3 children . 2 boys and a girl. I bowled. And became the president of the ladies auxoliary. Fishing was fantastic at the Fairford
Joan, thank you for your comment. One of these days I need to go visit the site of the former station.
hello joan. david lypchuk here, a base brat in gyp from 1970-1974. my father was edward and my mother was arleen. my mom and dad were fanatic bowlers and curlers there. i loved being in gyp. i was in grade 1-4 there.
Not sure if you knew Yogi George? He would have been posted there before I was born in July 1964. I was looking a current google satellite view of the area including where the living quarters and admin buildings were. If you knew of Yogi, I was wondering if you recalled roughly what PMQ he resided in on First or Second St? Also, where would the medical section have been? I was thinking of doing a road trip this coming summer and thought it would be nice to stop by where I was born. Thanks for any help that you can provide. Dave
CFS Gypsumville was my first posting. I was posted there as a MP from Aug 85 and one of the last people to leave in 87 when it closed for good. Ceramics was a big thing, I go load the kiln and turn it on during my shift. Loved my posting there
My parents (Big) Al & Linda Glover were posted there from Germany from 1975 until 1978. I remember my Dad taking us to the Search and Rescue cabin and fishing for Jack at Fairford. I remember our trailer had a path to the Canex and in the summer there were a ton of tiger lilies that bloomed 🙂
I was posted there from 1977 to 1979. My fondest memories are from fishing on the Fairford (biggest pickerel I ever caught was 7 lbs 14 ozs!).Great cookouts at the base beach, fabulous times at the curling club in the winter and golfing on the par 3 golf course during the summer! Went back in 85 to fish the Fairford one last time with my 6 yr old son. We had a memorable weekend. Reconnected with old friends and made a bunch of new ones! Thank you for hosting this site.❤️