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 air defence 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 its European allies with its armed forces.
Each wing of 1 Air Division consisted of three fighter squadrons flying the Canadair F-86 Sabre day fighter. At 2 Wing the squadrons were No. 416, 421 and 430. In 1956 four all-weather CF-100 squadrons began service with Air Division. One squadron in each wing was replaced by a CF-100 squadron. No. 416 Squadron was replaced by 423 Squadron at 2 Wing. In 1959 Canada adopted a 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.
NATO bases in France, including Grostenquin, were short-lived. In 1963 the Government of France announced that all nuclear weapons in France were to be placed under French control. This was unacceptable to the RCAF (and other NATO units stationed in France), so the two nuclear strike squadrons at 2 Wing (421 and 430 Squadrons) were hastily moved to Zweibrücken and Baden-Soellingen. RCAF Station Grostenquin closed in 1964.
[edit] References
- Brereton Greenhous and Hugh A. Halliday, Canada's Air Forces 1914-1999, (Art Global, 1999). ISBN 2-920718-72-X.
- Larry Milberry, General Editor, Sixty Years, The RCAF and CF Air Command 1924-1984, (CANAV Books, 1984). ISBN 0-9690703-4-9.
