5 Wing Goose Bay


Representative: LCol Michael Ward

History
In 1941, Canada and the United States built an airfield on the present site; USAF strategic forces deployed from Goose Bay during the 50s and 60s.  The airfield was handed over to the Canadian Forces on 1 July 1971.

Role
5 Wing Goose Bay supports low-level training for the Royal Air Force (RAF), the German Air Force (GAF), the Italian Air Force (ITAF), and the Dutch Air Force (RNLAF) under a new 10-year Memorandum of Understanding, signed in February 1996. The Base is a Forward Deployed Operating Base (FDOB) for CF-18s operationally committed to NORAD and is committed to support U.S. air assets assigned to deploy to Goose bay for NORAD operations. It is also home to 444 Combat Support (CS) Squadron which provides Search and Rescue support to the Goose Bay Allied Military Training in Canada (GAMTIC) flying operations. The Squadron also has a limited regional SAR capability to augment the dedicated SAR resources at CFB Gander. As a result of the takeover of two other federal departments' infrastructure - Transport Canada on 1 April 1988 and Public Works Canada on 1 April 1989 - 5 Wing acts as landlord to Transport Canada, Fisheries and Oceans, Revenue Canada, RCMP and numerous contractors and private businesses.

Organization
The Wing Commander exercises command and control over the Wing through three Branches: Wing Operations, Wing Command and Wing Personnel (an amalgamation of the administrative and comptroller functions); one integral unit, 444 Combat Support (CS) Squadron; and three lodger units. The Wing is a formation which now reports to Commander, 1 Canadian Division in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Contact
5 Wing Goose Bay
Postal Station A 
Happy Valley-Goose Bay 
Labrador, NF A0P 1S0
Tel: (709) 896-6900 Ext. 7200 
Fax: (709) 896-6997
Web site: www.airforce.dnd.ca
Email: michael.ward2@forces.gc.ca

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