CONFIDENTIAL
OFFICE OF
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE
FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Ottawa
November 3, 1961
Dear Mr. Armstrong:
Radar Station at Frobisher
This will refer to conversations between officers of our two departments concerning the desire of the SAC to make use of the housing facilities which have become available at the radar station at Frobisher, now that the radar station no longer has aircraft control and warning functions.
It is our understanding that USAF Central Coordinating Staff in Canada has written the RCAF in this connection and have suggested that since the USAF can realize considerable savings with the housing facilities, they might be retained by the USAF and made available to a small contingent of USAF communications personnel to support the SAC refueling capability.
We have examined the matter and have come to the conclusion that such a step could be accomplished within the framework of existing intergovernmental agreements. As you know, the two governments agreed last spring to reduce the functions of this station from aircraft control and warning to communications. It would therefore make sense to allow the SAC communications unit to make use of it. This would mean, however, that the site would then become a support facility for the refueling unit and the main SAC complex. We believe, in that case, it would be deemed to come under the SAC Refueling Agreement (Exchange of Notes of June 20, 1958) and in particular paragraph 3 of the Annex to that Agreement, which reads in part as follows:
"The location and extent of all sites required for the aerial refueling facilities shall be agreed upon by appropriate agencies of the two Governments. Canada, without charge to the United States, shall acquire and retain title to any lands required for the sites. Canada grants and assures to the United States, without charge, such rights of access, use and occupancy as may be required for the establishment, maintenance and operation of the aerial refueling facilities."
This same paragraph would make it possible for your department to deal with this matter on a service-to-service basis.
When replying to the letter from the USAF Central Coordinating Staff therefore, it should be stated that inasmuch as the radar station will now be housing a SAC communication unit, the Canadian authorities would deem it henceforth to be a part of the SAC complex at Frobisher and therefore as coming under the scope of, and governed by, the terms of the Exchange of Notes of June 20, 1958.
Yours sincerely,
Under-Secretary of State
For External Affairs