Frobisher Bay, NWT

6 October 1961

Air Marshall Hugh Campbell
Chief of the Air Staff
Air Force Headquarters
Ottawa 4, Ontario

Dear Air Marshall Campbell:

On 1 April 1961 the U.S. Government, in Note 546, requested the concurrence of the Canadian Government on the inactivation of three heavy radars and six gap filler radars in Eastern Canada. This note indicated that the Baffin Island and Resolution Island AC&W sites would be reduced to communications only. Canadian Note Number 69 dated 4 May 61 granted Canadian Government approval to the elimination of these radars. Since the exchange of these notes a requirement has been stated for use of the housing facilities at the Baffin Island Air Station (BIAS).

As you are probably aware, the Strategic Air Command is obtaining its support for the Frobisher Bay air refueling unit from the Department of Transport. With the limited amount of adequate housing available at Frobisher, the possibility exists for the USAF to provide the adjacent AC&W housing facilities at the BIAS to support DOT and their sub-contractors. Under the financial support arrangements with DOT, the USAF can realize considerable savings if BIAS housing facilities are retained by the USAF and made available to house DOT and contractor personnel. There is also a continuing requirement to provide for a small contingent of USAF communications personnel at the BIAS to support the SAC mission. These communication circuits are part of the polevault system originally installed to support an air defence mission, but have also serviced the SAC unit and will continue to be required by SAC.

SAC and DOT have reached tentative agreement on the use of the BIAS facilities for the purpose stated above. However, since the withdrawal of the AC&W mission, there may be a question as to the propriety of such use of the entire facility without formal approval by the Canadian Government.

We desire to receive Canadian Government concurrence on the change in utilization of BIAS housing facilities to support the SAC air refueling mission in place of the AC&W mission. We would desire, if possible, to obtain this approval through service-to-service channels.

Sincerely

ROBERT TAYLOR, 3D
Major General, USAF
Chief, USAF CCS-C