RCAF Station Grostenquin
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RCAF Station Grostenquin, also known as 2 (Fighter) Wing or 2 Wing, was located near the town of Grostenquin in northeastern France. It was one of four wings or bases of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) established in Europe in the early 1950s at the beginning of the Cold War. The other three bases were RCAF Station Marville (1 Wing) in France, and RCAF Station Zweibrücken (3 Wing) and RCAF Station Baden-Soellingen (4 Wing) in the former West Germany. No. 2 Wing began operation in 1952.
These wings were part of the RCAF's No. 1 Air Division which was formed as part of Canada's commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). NATO was established to offer a united defence against the increasing threat posed by the Soviet bloc in Europe. Canada committed to support it's European allies with its armed forces.
Each wing of 1 Air Division consisted of three fighter squadrons flying the Canadair F-86 Sabre. At 2 Wing the squadrons were No. 416, 421 and 430. In 1956 the decision was made to establish four CF-100 squadrons in Europe for NATO service. This aircraft had all-weather and night operation capabilities. One squadron in each wing was replaced by a CF-100 squadron. 416 Squadron was replaced by 423 Squadron. In 1959 Canada adopted a new and controversial nuclear strike roll in accordance with NATO's doctrine of "limited nuclear warfare" and began re-equipping with the new CF-104 Starfighter that could handle the delivery of nuclear weapons. This aircraft also had a reconnaissance role. In the fall of 1962 the Sabre squadrons of the Air Division, including 421 and 430 Squadrons at 2 Wing, were re-equipped with the Starfighter. Concurrently, CF-100s ceased operation in the Air Division and 423 Squadron was disbanded.
All nuclear weapons carried by the RCAF in wartime were technically U.S property. Since France was developing its own nuclear capability and the French government under de Gaulle wanted to control all nuclear weapons on French soil, controversy developed. Due to disagreement as to who controlled nuclear weapons in France, 2 Wing left Grostenquin in February 1964. 421 Squadron moved to RCAF Station Baden-Soellingen, and 430 Squadron moved to RCAF Station Zweibrücken.
[edit] References
- Brereton Greenhous and Hugh A. Halliday, Canada's Air Forces 1914-1999, (Art Global, 1999).
- Larry Milberry, General Editor, Sixty Years, The RCAF and CF Air Command 1924-1984, (CANAV Books, 1984).
