CFB Bagotville: Difference between revisions

Canadian Forces Base Bagotville (IATA: YBG, ICAO: CYBG), commonly referred to as CFB Bagotville, is a Canadian Forces Base located 4.5 NM (8.3 km; 5.2 mi) west of Bagotville in the city of Saguenay, Quebec. It is operated as an air force base by Canadian Forces Air Command and is one of two bases in the country using the CF-18 Hornet fighter/interceptor. Its primary lodger unit is 3 Wing.

CFB Bagotville's airfield is also used by civilian aircraft, with civilian operations at the base referring to the facility as Bagotville Airport. The airport is classified as an airport of entry by NAV CANADA and is staffed by the Canada Border Services Agency. CBSA officers at this airport currently can handle general aviation aircraft only, with no more than 15 passengers.

RCAF Station Bagotville

At the height of the Second World War, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) selected a relatively level farming area at the head of navigable waters in the Saguenay Fjord to be the site of several aerodromes during 1941. This area was considered useful for RCAF purposes, given the amount of cleared land in the region, its relative geographic isolation and proximity to the deepwater port of Port-Alfred, as well as access to the adjacent railway network. Construction began that summer and continued through the winter and following spring on RCAF Station St-Honoré near Chicoutimi and RCAF Station Bagotville in La Baie.

The base at St-Honoré opened in June 1942, followed by Bagotville on 17 July 1942; St-Honoré being operated as a sub-base to Bagotville. RCAF Station Bagotville hosted the 1 Operational Training Unit (1 OTU) which trained pilots from commonwealth nations under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), as well as the 130 Panthère Squadron, which was an operational RCAF air defence unit intended to protect the massive Alcan aluminum smelter in nearby Arvida (one of the largest industrial facilities in Canada at the time), and associated hydro-electric facilities in the Saguenay region. During 1942 Quebec's coastal regions along the lower St. Lawrence River and Gulf of St. Lawrence were witnessing the Battle of the St. Lawrence as German U-boats were sinking Canadian shipping throughout the area. RCAF Station Bagotville was established, along with RCAF Station Mont-Joli to counter the U-boat menace to Canada's war effort and placate local fears.

Early training aircraft operating from RCAF Station Bagotville included Curtiss Kittyhawk, Westland Lysander, North American Harvard and Hawker Hurricane. The 130 Squadron, which was deployed at the base to provide regional air defence to key industrial facilities, used the motto "Défendez le Saguenay", which was later adopted by the entire base. On 1 August 1942 the 12 Radar Detachment was deployed to provide air traffic control. On 24 October 1943 the 129 Squadron took over from 130 Squadron as the regional air defence unit; 2 months later in December the 129 Squadron was redeployed from Saguenay and the 1 OTU was retasked with regional air defence duties.

Toward the end of the war, RCAF Station Bagotville began to decline in activity as the requirement for BCATP training decreased. On 28 October 1944 the 1 OTU ceased operations, followed by the 12 Radar Detachment. In 29 pilot training courses given by 1 OTU at RCAF Station Bagotville (and St-Honoré), 940 pilots successfully graduated and 41 were killed during training.

In November 1944 1 OTU was disbanded and the closure of RCAF Station Bagotville and its secondary facilities at RCAF Station St-Honoré was announced; they were officially closed and mothballed on 5 January 1945.

The escalating tensions brought about by the Cold War and the Korean War saw RCAF Station Bagotville reactivated on 1 July 1951 as a training base for air defence squadrons deploying in support of NATO's defence of western Europe from the Warsaw Pact. 413 and 414 squadrons initially trained at Bagotville using De Havilland Vampire and F-86 Sabre aircraft. On 7 March 1953 both squadrons deployed to Europe and the base was quiet through the rest of that year.

No. 431 (Fighter) Squadron re-formed at RCAF Station Bagotville on 18 January 1954 using the Sabre. The squadron was formed on a temporary basis until there were enough new CF-100s available to fulfill RCAF squadron needs and was deactivated on 1 October 1954. Also in 1954 432 and 440 squadrons were transferred to RCAF Station Bagotville flying the CF-100 Canuck all-weather fighter. In 1957 440 squadron deployed to West Germany and on 1 May 1957 413 squadron returned to the base flying the Canuck. That year also saw the CT-133 Silver Star arrive at the base as a training aircraft.

In 1961 413 and 432 squadrons disbanded and 416 squadron was formed at Bagotville flying the CF-101 Voodoo. 416 squadron was moved to RCAF Station Chatham the following year in 1962. In summer of 1962 the 425 Alouette squadron transferred to RCAF Station Bagotville flying the Voodoo; its aircraft were modified to carry the AIR-2 Genie - a nuclear-tipped air-to-air missile, with nuclear warheads being stored at Bagotville until the weapon's decommissioning in the early 1980s.

CFB Bagotville

On 1 February 1968 the RCAF merged with the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Army to form the Canadian Forces; RCAF Station Bagotville changed its name to Canadian Forces Base Bagotville.

Later that year 410 squadron formed at CFB Bagotville to provide training. In September 1969 433 "Porc-Épic" squadron was transferred to Bagotville flying the CF-116 Freedom Fighter. In 1982 410 squadron moved to CFB Cold Lake and was replaced by 434 "Bluenose" squadron.

On 1 July, 1984 425 squadron changed from the CF-101 Voodoo to the CF-188 Hornet. On 9 July 1985 434 squadron moved to CFB Chatham. In 1986 433 squadron ceased operations to restructure and reactivated in January 1988 equipped with the CF-188 Hornet.

On 1 April 1993 CFB Bagotville became home to 3 Wing, which administers all Air Command units on base. The same day 439 "Tiger" squadron was reformed from elements of the existing Base Flight Bagotville, flying the CT-133 Silver Star and CH-118 Huey. The CT-133 fleet was retired in 2001 and in 1996 439 squadron's four CH-118s were replaced by three CH-146 Griffons.

On 1 March 1999 12 Radar Squadron was formed at CFB Bagotville to provide tactical control of fighter/interceptor aircraft; it replaced a radar station at RCAF Station Mont Apica which was closed.

433 Squadron disbanded in 2006 with its aircraft and personnel absorbed by 425 Squadron as a dual language Francophone/Anglophone unit.

Today CFB Bagotville has the following Squadrons and Units:

425 Tactical Fighter Squadron (CF-18)
439 Combat Support Squadron (search and rescue)
3 Air Maintenance Squadron
12 Radar Squadron

CFB Bagotville hosts the Bagotville Air Cadet Summer Training Centre. Air Cadets from across Canada attend the summer training centre to qualify in a variety of courses ranging from the 2-week basic air cadet course, to the 6-week survival instructors course.

Top Aces Consulting's Alpha Jet are based here as part of the CF jet training program Contracted Airborne Training Services.

Commercial Flights

Air Canada
- Air Canada Jazz (Montreal)
Sunwing Airlines (Punta Cana, Santa Lucia, Varadero)

References

^ Canada Flight Supplement. Effective 0901Z 16 July 2020 to 0901Z 10 September 2020.
AEROWARE / RCAF.com (undated). "Bell CH-118 IROQUOIS". Retrieved 2007-10-24. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
Air Force Public Affairs/Department of National Defence (2007-06-28). "CT-133 Silver Star". Retrieved 2007-10-12.

External links

3 Wing Bagotville (official site)
Accident history for YBG at Aviation Safety Network
Past three hours METARs, SPECI and current TAFs for CFB Bagotville from Nav Canada as available.

v t e Airports in Canada
By name	A–B C–D E–G H–K L–M N–Q R–S T–Z
By location indicator	CA CB CC CD CE CF CG CH CI CJ CK CL CM CN CO CP CQ CR CS CT CU CV CW CX CY CZ
By province/territory	AB BC MB NB NL NS NT NU ON PE QC SK YT
By area	Bracebridge Calgary Campbell River Edmonton Fergus Fort McMurray Fort Simpson Gulf Islands Lethbridge London Lower Mainland Montreal Okanagan Ottawa Parry Sound Port Carling Prince Rupert Red Deer Sault Ste. Marie St. John's Thunder Bay Toronto Vancouver Island Victoria Winnipeg
National Airports System	Calgary Charlottetown Edmonton Fredericton Gander Halifax Iqaluit Kelowna London Moncton Montréal–Mirabel Montréal–Trudeau Ottawa Prince George Québec Regina Saint John St. John's Saskatoon Thunder Bay Toronto–Pearson Vancouver Victoria Whitehorse Winnipeg Yellowknife
Related	List of airports by ICAO code: C List of the busiest airports in Canada List of defunct airports in Canada List of heliports in Canada List of international airports in Canada List of British Commonwealth Air Training Plan facilities in Canada Operation Yellow Ribbon Transportation in Canada
Category Portal

v t e Royal Canadian Air Force
Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force Chief Warrant Officer of the Air Force Installations List of aircraft Wings 1 Wing Kingston 3 Wing Bagotville 4 Wing Cold Lake 5 Wing Goose Bay 8 Wing Trenton 9 Wing Gander 12 Wing Shearwater 14 Wing Greenwood 15 Wing Moose Jaw 16 Wing Borden 17 Wing Winnipeg 19 Wing Comox 22 Wing North Bay List of Squadrons Training Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering Royal Canadian Air Force Academy History Canadian Aviation Corps (1914–1915) Canadian Air Force (1918–1920) Canadian Air Force (1920–1924) Royal Canadian Air Force (1924–1968) Canadian Forces Air Command (1975–2011) Royal Canadian Air Force (2011–present)

Royal Canadian Air Force

List of aircraft

Wings: 1 Wing Kingston; 3 Wing Bagotville; 4 Wing Cold Lake; 5 Wing Goose Bay; 8 Wing Trenton; 9 Wing Gander; 12 Wing Shearwater; 14 Wing Greenwood; 15 Wing Moose Jaw; 16 Wing Borden; 17 Wing Winnipeg; 19 Wing Comox; 22 Wing North Bay
List of Squadrons

Training: Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering; Royal Canadian Air Force Academy

History: Canadian Aviation Corps (1914–1915); Canadian Air Force (1918–1920); Canadian Air Force (1920–1924); Royal Canadian Air Force (1924–1968); Canadian Forces Air Command (1975–2011); Royal Canadian Air Force (2011–present)

Categories:

Revision as of 06:03, 2 December 2008 editBrian Crawford (talk \| contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Rollbackers22,273 edits arrange dates for consistency, more date fixes← Previous edit		Revision as of 12:40, 2 December 2008 edit undoAhunt (talk \| contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Page movers, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers229,437 editsm Commas removed from dates in this format, as per Misplaced Pages:Mosnum#Full_date_formatting, unneeded extra commas removed from textNext edit →
Line 32:		Line 32:
	At the height of the ], the ] (RCAF) selected a relatively level farming area at the head of navigable waters in the ] to be the site of several aerodromes during 1941. This area was considered useful for RCAF purposes, given the amount of cleared land in the region, its relative geographic isolation and proximity to the deepwater port of Port-Alfred, as well as access to the adjacent railway network. Construction began that summer and continued through the winter and following spring on ] near Chicoutimi and RCAF Station Bagotville in La Baie.		At the height of the ], the ] (RCAF) selected a relatively level farming area at the head of navigable waters in the ] to be the site of several aerodromes during 1941. This area was considered useful for RCAF purposes, given the amount of cleared land in the region, its relative geographic isolation and proximity to the deepwater port of Port-Alfred, as well as access to the adjacent railway network. Construction began that summer and continued through the winter and following spring on ] near Chicoutimi and RCAF Station Bagotville in La Baie.

	The base at St-Honoré opened in June, 1942, followed by Bagotville on 17 July, 1942; St-Honoré being operated as a sub-base to Bagotville. RCAF Station Bagotville hosted the 1 Operational Training Unit (1 OTU) which trained pilots from commonwealth nations under the ] (BCATP), as well as the 130 Panthère Squadron, which was an operational RCAF air defence unit intended to protect the massive ] aluminum smelter in nearby ] (one of the largest industrial facilities in Canada at the time), and associated ] facilities in the Saguenay region. During 1942, Quebec's coastal regions along the lower ] and ] were witnessing the ] as ] ]s were sinking Canadian shipping throughout the area. RCAF Station Bagotville was established, along with ] to counter the U-boat menace to Canada's war effort and placate local fears.		The base at St-Honoré opened in June 1942, followed by Bagotville on 17 July 1942; St-Honoré being operated as a sub-base to Bagotville. RCAF Station Bagotville hosted the 1 Operational Training Unit (1 OTU) which trained pilots from commonwealth nations under the ] (BCATP), as well as the 130 Panthère Squadron, which was an operational RCAF air defence unit intended to protect the massive ] aluminum smelter in nearby ] (one of the largest industrial facilities in Canada at the time), and associated ] facilities in the Saguenay region. During 1942 Quebec's coastal regions along the lower ] and ] were witnessing the ] as ] ]s were sinking Canadian shipping throughout the area. RCAF Station Bagotville was established, along with ] to counter the U-boat menace to Canada's war effort and placate local fears.

	] Hornet, of the type now based at Bagotville]]Early training aircraft operating from RCAF Station Bagotville included '']'', '']'', '']'' and '']''. The 130 Squadron, which was deployed at the base to provide regional air defence to key industrial facilities, used the motto "Défendez le Saguenay", which was later adopted by the entire base. On 1 August, 1942 the 12 Radar Detachment was deployed to provide air traffic control. On 24 October, 1943 the 129 Squadron took over from 130 Squadron as the regional air defence unit; 2 months later in December the 129 Squadron was redeployed from Saguenay and the 1 OTU was retasked with regional air defence duties.		] Hornet, of the type now based at Bagotville]]Early training aircraft operating from RCAF Station Bagotville included '']'', '']'', '']'' and '']''. The 130 Squadron, which was deployed at the base to provide regional air defence to key industrial facilities, used the motto "Défendez le Saguenay", which was later adopted by the entire base. On 1 August 1942 the 12 Radar Detachment was deployed to provide air traffic control. On 24 October 1943 the 129 Squadron took over from 130 Squadron as the regional air defence unit; 2 months later in December the 129 Squadron was redeployed from Saguenay and the 1 OTU was retasked with regional air defence duties.

	Toward the end of the war, RCAF Station Bagotville began to decline in activity as the requirement for BCATP training decreased. On 28 October, 1944 the 1 OTU ceased operations, followed by the 12 Radar Detachment. In 29 pilot training courses given by 1 OTU at RCAF Station Bagotville (and St-Honoré), 940 pilots successfully graduated and 41 were killed during training.		Toward the end of the war, RCAF Station Bagotville began to decline in activity as the requirement for BCATP training decreased. On 28 October 1944 the 1 OTU ceased operations, followed by the 12 Radar Detachment. In 29 pilot training courses given by 1 OTU at RCAF Station Bagotville (and St-Honoré), 940 pilots successfully graduated and 41 were killed during training.

	In November, 1944 1 OTU was disbanded and the closure of RCAF Station Bagotville and its secondary facilities at RCAF Station St-Honoré was announced; they were officially closed and mothballed on 5 January, 1945.		In November 1944 1 OTU was disbanded and the closure of RCAF Station Bagotville and its secondary facilities at RCAF Station St-Honoré was announced; they were officially closed and mothballed on 5 January 1945.

	The escalating tensions brought about by the ] and the ] saw RCAF Station Bagotville reactivated on 1 July, 1951 as a training base for air defence squadrons deploying in support of ]'s defence of western ] from the ]. ] and ] squadrons initially trained at Bagotville using '']'' and '']'' aircraft. On 7 March, 1953 both squadrons deployed to Europe and the base was quiet through the rest of that year.		The escalating tensions brought about by the ] and the ] saw RCAF Station Bagotville reactivated on 1 July 1951 as a training base for air defence squadrons deploying in support of ]'s defence of western ] from the ]. ] and ] squadrons initially trained at Bagotville using '']'' and '']'' aircraft. On 7 March 1953 both squadrons deployed to Europe and the base was quiet through the rest of that year.

	] re-formed at RCAF Station Bagotville on 18 January 1954, using the ''Sabre''. The squadron was formed on a temporary basis until there were enough new ]s available to fulfill RCAF squadron needs, and was deactivated on 1 October, 1954. Also in 1954, ] and ] squadrons were transferred to RCAF Station Bagotville, flying the '']'' all-weather fighter. In 1957, 440 squadron deployed to [[RCAF Station Zweibrücken#RCAF Station Zweibrücken\|West		] re-formed at RCAF Station Bagotville on 18 January 1954 using the ''Sabre''. The squadron was formed on a temporary basis until there were enough new ]s available to fulfill RCAF squadron needs and was deactivated on 1 October 1954. Also in 1954 ] and ] squadrons were transferred to RCAF Station Bagotville flying the '']'' all-weather fighter. In 1957 440 squadron deployed to [[RCAF Station Zweibrücken#RCAF Station Zweibrücken\|West
	Germany]] and on 1 May, 1957 413 squadron returned to the base flying the ''Canuck''. That year also saw the '']'' arrive at the base as a training aircraft.		Germany]] and on 1 May 1957 413 squadron returned to the base flying the ''Canuck''. That year also saw the '']'' arrive at the base as a training aircraft.

	In 1961, 413 and 432 squadrons disbanded and ] was formed at Bagotville, flying the '']''; 416 squadron was moved to ] the following year in 1962. In summer of 1962, the ] transferred to RCAF Station Bagotville, flying the ''Voodoo''; its aircraft were modified to carry the ] - a nuclear-tipped air-to-air missile, with nuclear warheads being stored at Bagotville until the weapon's decommissioning in the early 1980s.		In 1961 413 and 432 squadrons disbanded and ] was formed at Bagotville flying the '']''. 416 squadron was moved to ] the following year in 1962. In summer of 1962 the ] transferred to RCAF Station Bagotville flying the ''Voodoo''; its aircraft were modified to carry the ] - a nuclear-tipped air-to-air missile, with nuclear warheads being stored at Bagotville until the weapon's decommissioning in the early 1980s.

	==CFB Bagotville==		==CFB Bagotville==
	On 1 February, 1968 the RCAF merged with the ] and ] to form the ]; RCAF Station Bagotville changed its name to '''Canadian Forces Base Bagotville'''.		On 1 February 1968 the RCAF merged with the ] and ] to form the ]; RCAF Station Bagotville changed its name to '''Canadian Forces Base Bagotville'''.

	Later that year, ] formed at CFB Bagotville to provide training. In September 1969 ] was transferred to Bagotville, flying the '']''. In 1982, 410 squadron moved to ] and was replaced by ].		Later that year ] formed at CFB Bagotville to provide training. In September 1969 ] was transferred to Bagotville flying the '']''. In 1982 410 squadron moved to ] and was replaced by ].

	On 1 July, 1984 425 squadron changed from the ''CF-101 Voodoo'' to the '']''. On 9 July, 1985 434 squadron moved to ]. In 1986 433 squadron ceased operations to restructure and reactivated in January ], equipped with the ''CF-188 Hornet''.		On 1 July, 1984 425 squadron changed from the ''CF-101 Voodoo'' to the '']''. On 9 July 1985 434 squadron moved to ]. In 1986 433 squadron ceased operations to restructure and reactivated in January ] equipped with the ''CF-188 Hornet''.

	On 1 April, 1993 CFB Bagotville became home to '''3 Wing''', which administers all Air Command units on base. The same day, ] was reformed from elements of the existing '''Base Flight Bagotville'''<ref name="RCAF.com">{{cite web \|url = http://www.rcaf.com/aircraft/helicopters/huey/index.php?name=huey \|title = Bell CH-118 IROQUOIS \|date = undated \|author = AEROWARE / RCAF.com \|accessdate = 2007-10-24 }}</ref>, flying the '']'' and '']''. The CT-133 fleet was retired in 2001<ref>{{cite web \|url = http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/equip/historical/silverstarlst_e.asp \|title = CT-133 Silver Star \|date = 2007-06-28 \|author = Air Force Public Affairs/Department of National Defence \|accessdate = 2007-10-12 }}</ref> and in 1996 439 squadron's four CH-118s were replaced by three '']s''.		On 1 April 1993 CFB Bagotville became home to '''3 Wing''', which administers all Air Command units on base. The same day ] was reformed from elements of the existing '''Base Flight Bagotville'''<ref name="RCAF.com">{{cite web \|url = http://www.rcaf.com/aircraft/helicopters/huey/index.php?name=huey \|title = Bell CH-118 IROQUOIS \|date = undated \|author = AEROWARE / RCAF.com \|accessdate = 2007-10-24 }}</ref>, flying the '']'' and '']''. The CT-133 fleet was retired in 2001<ref>{{cite web \|url = http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/equip/historical/silverstarlst_e.asp \|title = CT-133 Silver Star \|date = 2007-06-28 \|author = Air Force Public Affairs/Department of National Defence \|accessdate = 2007-10-12 }}</ref> and in 1996 439 squadron's four CH-118s were replaced by three '']s''.

	On 1 March, 1999 12 Radar Squadron was formed at CFB Bagotville to provide tactical control of fighter/interceptor aircraft; it replaced a radar station at ] which was closed.		On 1 March 1999 12 Radar Squadron was formed at CFB Bagotville to provide tactical control of fighter/interceptor aircraft; it replaced a radar station at ] which was closed.

	433 Squadron disbanded in 2006, with aircraft and personnel absorbed by 425 Squadron as a dual language Francophone/Anglophone unit.		433 Squadron disbanded in 2006 with its aircraft and personnel absorbed by 425 Squadron as a dual language Francophone/Anglophone unit.

	Today, CFB Bagotville has the following Squadrons and Units:		Today CFB Bagotville has the following Squadrons and Units:

	* 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron (CF-18)		* 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron (CF-18)