three crew. The first terminal building at the site was constructed in 1943. The small wooden structure was replaced by a larger brick building in 1958. Aerodrome In approximately 1942 the aerodrome was listed as RCAF Aerodrome - Torbay, Newfoundland at with a variation of 29 degrees west and elevation of . The field was listed as "all hard surfaced" and had three runways listed as follows: 107 Rescue Unit RCAF In 1954 a rescue unit was established, 107 Rescue Unit, by the RCAF to replace the existing detachment of the 103 Rescue Unit. It would remain here until 1964. 107 Rescue Unit hosted a few different aircraft to perform search and rescue operations: Canso-A (1) Noorduyn Norseman (1) Avro Lancaster (2) - replaced by North Star in 1963 Canadair North Star (2) - replaced Lancasters in 1963 Post war Although the airfield was not used as much as Argentia, Gander, Stephenville and Goose Bay airports in the movement of large numbers of aircraft to England, it was still quite busy. The Royal Air Force had its own squadron of fighters, surveillance and weather aircraft stationed there. The RCAF personnel strength on the station during the peak war years was well over 2000. Through an agreement between the US, Canadian and Newfoundland governments early in 1947, the United States Air Force (USAF) took over the use of the airport facilities and used about ten of the airport buildings. The US Military Air Transport Service (MATS) needed Torbay Airport in order to complete its assigned mission at that time. Maintenance of the airport and facilities was done by the Canadian Department of Transport. On April 1, 1946, the airport became a civilian operation under the jurisdiction of the Canadian Department of Transport. Confusion was caused by the presence of American military personnel at a civilian airport operated by the Canadian government in a foreign country. Consequently, on 1 April 1953 control was returned to the Department of National Defence. On April 15, 1953, the RCAF Station at Torbay was reactivated and RCAF personnel started to move in and to provide the necessary administration and operation of the facility to support the mission of its co-tenant, the USAF. In early 1954 a rental agreement was signed between the USAF and the RCAF, and the USAF acquired use of additional buildings. The control tower constructed during the war burned down in an extensive