Frobisher Bay, NWT

1999 - A Visit to Frobisher Bay – Ted Lennox


February, 1999

Ted Lennox managed to make a trip to the Frobisher Bay area in February 1999. He was kind enough to take a series of photos and pass them on to the Pinetree Line web site. While the content has little to do with the original 926th AC&W Squadron which existed in Frobisher Bay between 1953 and 1961, the content will probably relate to those who traveled in and out of Frobisher Bay - because the airport and hangers which were once a part of the "Lower Base" still exist.



Click on the description text to view the photograph.

    Frobisher Bay (now Iqualuit) enjoys jet service to Ottawa, Montreal, Yellowknife, Resolute and Greenland. The apron can see 3 or 4 jets simultaneously and non-scheduled diversions from the North Atlantic services. The old USAF Apron I is in the background. The existing Air Terminal is now too small and cannot be economically expanded. Apron III is also overcrowded.

    1. Control tower with civilian jet aircraft on apron - February 1999.

    Frobisher Bay continues to function as a logistics base, first for the Pinetree Line and DEW Line, and now for the North Warning System. Here a Sikorsky S-61 prepares to depart for one of the unmanned Long Range Radar sites supported under DND contract by Frontec Corp. Apron III near the threshold of runway 36 was kept open for civilian use by Transport Canada since 1962.

    1. Sikorsky helicopter preparing for departure - February 1999.

    This photo is really two pictures which have been placed side by side. It depicts the site of the "recommended" new roads and parking for the new Air Terminal on what has served as Apron I. Over 90% of the old apron taxiway infrastructure can be reused as part of a major development of Iqaluit Airport.

    1. Location of proposed new Air Terminal - February 1999.

    The next two photos depict some of the original USAF aircraft hangars.

    1. Old USAF nose hangars (left) and new hangars (right). View looking south - February 1999.

    2. View of southerly nose hangar and diesel power station - February 1999.

    The old USAF dormitory, garage and operations building are on the right. A derelict utilidov from the former base infrastructure (looking north). New commercial hangars have been constructed on the old Apron I which featured underground refuelling for SAC aircraft.

    1. Buildings as described above - February 1999.

    View of the northerly nose hangar built by the USAF and a diesel power station which provides supplementary power to the Iqaluit grid. The "Upper Base" was located on the hill in the background. Only a few foundations remain.

    1. Apron II with views as described above - February 1999.

    East view from Taxi Alpha showing original Federal Building (USAF dormitory) plus adjoining Operations building and warehouse garage. Arctic College now occupies the Federal Building and the Town of Iqaluit, Department of Public Works occupies the warehouse/garage. Original "nose hangars" may be seen in the background for KC-97 tanker aircraft.

    1. Part of the original "Lower Base" - February 1999.

    Site of the former Pinetree Line radar station and Pole Vault communications system. The road is closed during the winter months. The main airport transmitter and receiver sites is now on the hill with what appears to be a military communications complex.

    1. View as described above - February 1999.



Photographic Credits

All photos are used with permission.


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Updated: April 25, 2000