The tower was equipped with radio navigation and landing aids including precision approach radar, non-directional beacon and VHF omni-directional range. A new Tower/Communications Building replaced that structure in March 1976. Construction was not begun on a new tower until 1951 it was opened in June 1952. ![]() The control tower constructed during the war burned down in an extensive fire on March 16, 1946, which caused $1.5 million worth of damage. In early 1954 a rental agreement was signed between the USAF and the RCAF, and the USAF acquired use of additional buildings. 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. Consequently, on 1 April 1953 control was returned to the Department of National Defence. Confusion was caused by the presence of American military personnel at a civilian airport operated by the Canadian government in a foreign country. On April 1, 1946, the airport became a civilian operation under the jurisdiction of the Canadian Department of Transport. Maintenance of the airport and facilities was done by the Canadian Department of Transport. The US Military Air Transport Service (MATS) needed Torbay Airport in order to complete its assigned mission at that time. 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 RCAF personnel strength on the station during the peak war years was well over 2000. The Royal Air Force had its own squadron of fighters, surveillance and weather aircraft stationed there.
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