RCAF Station Great Whale River

RCAF Station Great Whale River
Mid-Canada Line Sector Control Station 400
Part of Mid-Canada Line
Kuujjuarapik, Quebec, Canada
RCAF Station Great Whale River
Coordinates	55°16′37″N 77°44′20″W / 55.277°N 77.739°W
Site information
Controlled by	Royal Canadian Air Force
Site history
Built	1955
Built by	Royal Canadian Air Force
In use	1955 - April 1965

RCAF Station Great Whale River was located at the mouth of the river with the same name on the shore of Hudson Bay. The town surrounding the former base is now known by its native name of Kuujjuarapik. Originally built in 1955 as a detachment, it was elevated to station status in 1957 when it became Sector Control Station 400 of the Mid-Canada Line. After the Mid-Canada Line project was terminated there was no longer any need for a military presence at the site, and RCAF Station Great Whale River closed on April 2 1965. While in operation the station was supported by RCAF Station St.Hubert. The station's gravel runway is now administered by the Government of Quebec, it runs parallel to the shore of Hudson Bay. ^[1]

References

1. The NBC Group (1997). "Mid-Canada Line". A History of the Air Defence of Canada 1948-1997. ISBN 0-9681973-0-2. RCAF Station Great Whale River was located at the mouth of the river of the same name and the shores of southeastern Hudson Bay. It began as a detachment in November 1955, and attained station status in January 1957. The station closed on 2 April 1965. During its operations, Great Whale River was supported by RCAF Station St.Hubert. The personnel at the station were quite involved in the community affairs of the area. In November 1964, they arranged for 104 Composite Unit to fly Christmas gifts in for the Indian and Eskimo party. As well, 436 (Transport) Squadron flew up Christmas supplies for the station and at the same time did a Christmas tree drop over the Blecher Islands for the Eskimos and members of the department of Native Affairs. Today the community is known by the native name Kuujjuarapik. The 5,085 x 150 foot gravel runway which parallels Hudson Bay is administered by the Government of Quebec. The Great Whale River is now called Grande Riviere de la Baleine.