RCAF Station Moose Jaw

General Information

Financial Impact:

Date / Reason for closure:

Site details:

• Aerodrome:
• Runways: On 29 May 1952 it was announced that the runways would be expanded with the reactivation of the station post war.

Married Quarters:

Site Evolution:

This section was developed with the assistance of Edward P. Soye

• The Publication On Track…the Pilot’s Air Travel Guide (First Annual Edition – 1978) lists the Aerodrome as “Moose Jaw” – See photos on this page.
• At Some point between 1941 and 1952, Hangar 1 was removed (Supposedly by fire, need to confirm and date)
• Between the war and 1952 the vast majority of the ancillary buildings were removed. (Source 1952 site plan) and the base side site was expanded to the north west.
• Bushell Park Private Married Quarters (PMQ’s) were constructed in the early 1950’s (Dates to be confirmed)
• In the 29 May 1952 edition of the Winnipeg Free Press it was announced that the Station was going to be reactivated. At this time it was announced that the Flying Training School that was located at Gimli would be relocated to Moose Jaw. With the announcement came an investment of 6.5 million dollars to reconfigure and extend the Runways, construct a new:
  • control tower,
  • supply building,
  • messes, and
  • quarters.
• Hangar 5 was removed or destroyed at some point (2003-2022, when?)
• Riffle Range Butt Structure was removed at some point (when?)
• Many if not most of the buildings built in the 1950’s have also been removed (it would be great to find out which ones and when?)
• It also appears that some of the PMQ’s have been removed. (if so when?)

Current Status:

• as at December 2023, information provided by Edward P. Soye.
  • Wartime Drill Hall remains, now the Base Skating Rink.
  • The Snowbirds (431 Air Demonstration Squadron) occupy Wartime hangar 6 and 7
  • Base Operations and 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (2 CFFTS) occupy Wartime hangars 2,3,4, these hangars may be replaced in the not so distant future as part of the FAcT Program (Future Aircrew Training Program)

Site Plan – 1941

Site Plan – 1952

On Track – 1978

Google Earth Satellite View – July 2003

Google Earth Satellite View – August 2022

Location – Google Map

Photo Gallery

Daily Diary – Links – No 32 Service Flying Training School

1944

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

Historical Report – RCAF Station Moose Jaw

Formation and Organization Orders – RCAF Station Moose Jaw

1 June 1952 – 30 November 1952

1 December 1952 – 30 November 1953

1 December 1953 – 31 May 1954

1 June 1954 – 30 November 1955 – Missing

1 December 1955 – 31 May 1956

1 June 1956 – 31 May 1957 – Missing

1 June 1957 – 30 November 1957

1 December 1957 – 31 May 1958

1 June 1958 – 30 November 1958 – Missing

1 December 1958 – 31 May 1959

1 June 1959 – 30 November 1959

1 December 1959 – 31 May 1960

1 June 1960 – 30 November 1960

1 December 1960 – 31 May 1961

1 June 1961 – 30 November 1961

1 December 1961 – 30 May 1962

30 May 1962 – 1 July 1962 – Missing

1 July 1962 – 30 November 1962

1 December 1962 – 31 May 1963

1 June 1963 – 31 December 1963

1 Jan 1964 – 31 December 1964

Fatalities

This list was compiled from the entries in the Daily diaries of No 32 Service Flying Training School, No 2 Flying Training School, and No 431 Squadron and other sources.  The list likely does not include all fatalities of personnel who died while stationed at RCAF Station Moose Jaw, and likely includes some errors. Currently this list contains 75 personnel.

Notable Alumni

Aircraft List

Courts Martial

The following personnel were recommended for courts martial and a file was created on the Charged Offence, not all Offences were tried. This list is not complete but I will be working my way through the reels in the upcoming months.

• Squadron Leader Henry Marsden (RAF-70445)
  • Charges stem from service at Assiniboia, Saskatchewan
  • Charged with:
    • 7 Counts of In a daily flying log and flight authorization form, signed by him. Being privy to the making of a false statement.
    • 2 counts of Neglect to the prejudice of Good Order and Air Force discipline.
  • Trial Date – 11 October 1943
  • File is 246 pages
  • member was found not guilty of all charges.

Notes

• Mutiny – from the ORB.
  • on 16 July 1943 a group of airmen decided to stage a protest of orders issued by the commanding officer of No. 32 SFTS. There is no mention of this, on the date of the offence in the ORB. The first mention of the mutiny was on 4 October 1943 in the ORB when the men were put to General Courts Martial. The Courts Martial continued until 14 October. At that time 2 members were acquitted. Between the October and November sections of the ORB there is a discipline appendix dated 16 July 1943 that details the event. On 12 November 1943 the station was ordered on parade and the sentences of the 13 remaining airmen was promulgated. The pulmigation is detailed starting on page 1136 of the ORB. All members found guilty of participating in the mutiny were sentenced to between 9 and 18 months of detention. At some point in the future I will add more to this.

Related documents:

For More information – External Links

• Wikipedia
• MilitaryBruce.com – Canadian Military History by Bruce Forsyth
• Site Plan:
• Aerodrome Disposal File:

For More information – Published References