RCAF Station Rivers – A Peacetime Role

 
RCAF Station Rivers remained open after the war, becoming part of the post-war RCAF. For the next two decades it served a variety of training functions,

The Army Aviation Tactical Training School provided pilot training to Army aviators, as well as helicopter instructor training for the Army, RCN and RCAF. No. 6 Signal Regiment, Royal Canadian Corps of Signals and the Air Support Signals Unit provided communications duties at Rivers. 

The Canadian Parachute Training Centre, established at Camp Shilo in 1942, merged with the Airborne School of the Canadian Joint Air Training Centre and relocated to RCAF Station Rivers, making the station Canada's main para-training centre.

In 1948, the Joint Air Photo Interpretation School opened at RCAF Station Rivers. 

The Basic Helicopter Training Unit (BHTU) was established at RCAF Station Rivers in August 1953. After the closure of the helicopter school at RCN Air Station HMCS Shearwater, the Royal Canadian Navy began sending trainees to Rivers as well, making the BHTU the first tri-service flying training unit in Canada.

In 1956, with the Royal Canadian Navy having recently aquired its first fighter jet, the F2H3 Banshee, pilots from VF 870 and VF 871 Squadrons were also sent to Rivers for training. The RCN training program at Rivers continued until the disbandment of VF 871 Squadron in 1962.

These and other functions came and went over the years As a result of the Unification; RCAF Station Rivers was re-named CFB Rivers.

CFB Rivers was declared surplus to defense needs and as a result, the station closed in September 1971.

In September 1972, the land was turned over to the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development for use as an industrial training centre for Manitoba First Nations, the Oo-Za-We-Kwun Centre. The Rivers Gliding School, a summer Air Cadet glider camp opened at the former base in 1974, remaining until 1984, when it re-located to CFB Gimli.

The very identity of Rivers as a “Railway” town was somewhat replaced by the role of the Base. People from all over Canada were transplanted into the municipality. The impact of both the railway and the Air Force base continues to be felt today, long after each ceased to be a force economically.

 

Pacific Western flight diverted to Rivers

 

The social and cultural life of the town of Rivers was interconnected with that of the “Base”. This scene is from an event at the Officers’ Mess.