Penhold Base 1939-1995

In 1939, R.A.F. Penhold (No. 36 Service Flying Training School) started construction and became one of several flying schools across Canada as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, an agreement with Britain to train Commonwealth pilots, a key component in Canada's contribution to World War II. By 1940, 31 buildings and 5 large double hangers had been built. The camp officially opened in 1941 when a train brought in 600 officers and men. Training lasted 12 weeks, 60 pilots training at a time.
 
The facility started with 20 training aircraft with others in reserve. The trainers included Oxford, DeHaviland Tiger Moths and Fleet Finches. Eventually there were close to 200 Oxford trainers being used and well over 2000 pilots graduated.
 
The air training school and airfield closed in 1944 with only a military radio station remaining. Much of the equipment was destroyed in 1945.
 
The base started preparing to re-open in 1951 as a #4 Flying Training School for NATO but the actual training didn't start until 1953. In 1954, a maintenance hangar was destroyed in a multi-million dollar fire. The primary training aircraft were Harvards.
 
Houses, duplexes and townhouses were built in 1954 adjacent to the base for officers and their families and was called Mynarski Park (named after P/O Andrew Charles Mynarski, one of the R.C.A.F.'s two Victoria Cross recipients). In the same year, Anderson of Craigmyle School opened (Grades 1-8) named after the Anderson family of the area who had lost 3 sons in the War.
 
In 1961, the #43 Radar Station started construction about 11 miles east of the base and opened in 1964. Personnel lived at the base and the station closed in 1986. #743 Communications Squadron also called CFB Penhold home.
 
A 77,000 sq.ft. bunker was secretly constructed on the east side of the base and opened in 1964. It was designed to house provincial leaders in the event of a major emergency and it housed the Provincial Warning Centre. A secondary bunker was built several miles away. It was closed and sold in 1995 and destroyed in 2001.
 
In 1965, military flying operations ceased and the City of Red Deer operated the airport for several years until the regional airport authority took over in 1999.
 
The base was named CFB Penhold in 1966 as the result of unification of the armed forces. Leadership and radar schools operated from 1973 to 1986. In the early 1980's CFB Penhold became an Air Cadet school and to this day, space is leased during the summer for 1700 cadets.
 
In 1990, CFB Penhold was downgraded to a detachment of CFB Edmonton. Most operations ceased in 1992 and completely closed down in 1995 when it was sold to private developers.
 

 
Diverse, Interactive, Educational - Plane History

A commemoration and celebration of the history of
the Penhold military base
 
Harvard Historical Aviation Society
 
403-886-5711
hhac@penholdbase.com

 

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