RCAF Air Traffic Control

Frobisher Bay

The location was originally code-named Crystal Two and was an American weather-radio station prior to the construction of the airport.

The United States constructed the Frobisher Bay Airport (now renamed Iqaluit), in 1942-1943 with the permission of Canada as part of the so-called Crimson Route. This was to be a short stage ferry route to northern Europe from California by way of The Pas (this facility to be built by Canada), Churchill, Coral Harbour, Chimo, and Frobisher, Greenland and Iceland. By March 17, 1943, a gravel runway, 6,000 by 200 feet (1,829 by 61 metres), had been established. Canada bought the US built airports for $27 million in 1944 but Frobisher (Iqaluit), remained under control of the US Air Force for some time. Hangars, a radar station, and other buildings were constructed after the war by the USAF; and it was not until 1950 that the RCAF took over the airport.

In 1953-1954, the location of the runway was changed from 09-27 to 18-36. It was 6,000 feet (1,829 metres) long. In 1957, paving of the runway was completed and, in 1960, it was lengthened by 3,000 feet (914 metres) to 9,000 feet (2,743 metres) long, with a width of 200 feet (61 metres).

From 1955 until 1958, Frobisher (Iqaluit) was the main supply airport got the construction of the DEW Line. By July 1955, the Foundation Company of Canada, the primary DEW Line contractor, had as many as three hundred aircraft operations a day through Frobisher and requested help in controlling them.

On September 1, 1957, the Department of Transport took over the airport from the RCAF and operated and maintained it for the principal users, Strategic Air Command of the USAF, which conducted in-flight refuelling operations from there. During the peak period, the department employed 225 people. In 1963, the USAF abandoned its Frobisher Bay (Iqaluit) operations and Transport personnel were reduced in number. The USAF gave the federal building, maintenance hangars, radar station and fuel storage to the Department, which in turn, made the buildings available to the Department of Northern Affairs in 1964. The federal building, which had been a combined operations building and living quarters for the USAF, is now used for airport offices and as a residence for high school students. It is operated by the territorial government.