RCAF Station Sea Island was a

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

British Commonwealth Air Training Plan The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), or Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS) often referred to as simply "The Plan", was a massive, joint military aircrew training program created by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zea ...

station located near

Vancouver Vancouver ( ) is a major city in western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the List of cities in British Columbia, most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the ...

British Columbia British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, ...

History

World War II

No 8 Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS) formed here on 22 July 1940.

Aerodrome information

In approximately 1942 the aerodrome was listed at with a Var. 24 degrees E and elevation of Sea level. The aerodrome was listed as under construction usable and three runways were listed as follows:

Postwar

After the war the station was renamed RCAF Station Vancouver. No 442 Squadron was re-activated as No 442 "City of Vancouver" Auxiliary Fighter Squadron at Sea Island 15 April 1946, but was later re-designated an Auxiliary Transport Squadron. No 123 Rescue Flight and NO 121 Composite Flight (KU) were also formed at Sea Island. On 1 December 1951, No 442 Squadron was split in half to form No 443 "City of New Westminster" Squadron. RCAF Station Vancouver closed on 31 March 1964. Today this area is the site of

Vancouver International Airport Vancouver International Airport is an international airport located on Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia, serving the city of Vancouver and the Lower Mainland region. It is located from Downtown Vancouver. It is the second busiest ...

References

Bruce Forsyth's Canadian Military History Page
Royal Canadian Air Force stations

RCAF Station Sea Island RCAF Station Sea Island was a World War II, British Commonwealth Air Training Plan station located near Vancouver, British Columbia. History World War II No 8 Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS) formed here on 22 July 1940. Aerodrome info ...

Military airbases in British Columbia Military history of British Columbia {{Canada-mil-stub