RCAF Station Tofino
 | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages)
No issues specified. Please specify issues, or remove this template. |
When Japan entered the Second World War the emphasis shifted from Europe to the Pacific Ocean. On Vancouver Island we had a sea plane base at Patricia Bay. The RCAF, due to the threat of Japanese incendiary balloons established an airfield at Tofino BC. First access was by logging road and water. An airfield was built that exists to this day for the purpose of shooting down incendiary balloons. An air base was built and a complete squadron was stationed there.
Because of the terrain of Vancouver Island the mountains formed a hazard to pilots flying them. Most pilots in the area had only flown a short time, not to mention, never in mountains. There were a number of significant crashes, so the secondary responsibility appears to have been crash sight location and investigation. But, not one single incendiary balloon was ever recorded in our area.
At the end of the war the station was de-commissioned and virtually abandoned. However, it is now the municipal airport for the town of Tofino, and many buildings survived.
This story is from my father who was Station Sargent and anyone wanting further information is invited to contact me at thomas.wagner@shaw.ca
The RCAF Base at Tofino was operational until at least 1958.