Grostenquin, France
Support Photographs

The RCAF left 2 Wing Grostenquin in July 1964. Who would have thought that they would ever return?

It is well documented that the airfield at Grostenquin continues to be used by the French Air Force as a Multinational Aircrew Electronic Warfare Training Facility. In April 2005, it was time for the Canadian Forces to use the facility. A contingent of four Canadian military personnel from the Canadian Forces Electronic Warfare Center (CFEWC) group in Ottawa proceeded to Grostenquin and spent a week participating in a NATO EW exercise between April 7 and April 15, 2005. The Canadians resided off station, in Delme, about 30 km southwest of Grostenquin. We are most pleased to have been provided with a number of photos that depict the current status of the original buildings at Grostenquin. Our special thanks to Rod Vanderzalm for making this material available to our web site.

Additional photos were provided by the "Reunion 2006 Committee" who proceeded to the Grostenquin area in April-May 2005 to "set things in motion" for the Grostenquin Reunion scheduled for May 2006.

All in all - we now provide an excellent grouping of photos which depict the remains at 2 (F) Wing Grostenquin France - as of April 2005.

One of the greatest difficulties we face is that of our memories. Many of us are able to recall what existed at 2 Wing when we were there. Regrettably - buildings have not been maintained during the past 40+ years. It took less than a year for some of the buildings to disappear from the airfield. A number of buildings such as the RC and the Protestant chapels along with some of the barrack blocks were donated to the French in 1965 - less than a year after the RCAF departed. Poof - these buildings were gone - forever.

While we do not have any specific documents, it is safe to assume that the other buildings which remain have been left unattended and unused for the last 40 years. Somewhere along the way, the French Air Force came along and they are making use of a small number of buildings on the airfield. We have been advised (in April 2005) that the Recreation Center and the Swimming Pool are no longer there. It would appear that the photos which we have from the late 1990s will probably be the last available for these two buildings.


Click on the description text to view the photograph.
  1. Aerial photo of the ramp, hangars, and the north farm house on the airfield - 30 April 2005.
    Courtesy Gerry Jenkins.

  2. Aerial photo of the ramp, hangars, and the north farm house on the airfield - 30 April 2005.
    Courtesy Gerry Jenkins.

  3. Closer image of the hangars and the ramp area at Grostenquin - 30 April 2005.
    Courtesy Gerry Jenkins.

  4. Aerial photo of the ramp, hangars, and the north farm house on the airfield - 30 April 2005.
    Courtesy Gerry Jenkins.

  5. Aerial photo of the ramp and remaining hangars at 2 Wing - 30 April 2005.
    Courtesy Gerry Jenkins.

  6. Aerial photo of the ramp and remaining hangars at 2 Wing - 30 April 2005.
    Courtesy Gerry Jenkins.

  7. Aerial photo of the ramp and remaining hangars at 2 Wing - 30 April 2005.
    Courtesy Gerry Jenkins.

  8. Unidentified buildings on the airfield - 30 April 2005.
    Courtesy Gerry Jenkins.

  9. Aerial photo of the remains of the 423 Squadron dispersal area - 30 April 2005.
    Courtesy Gerry Jenkins.

  10. Aerial photo of the remains of the 423 Squadron dispersal area - 30 April 2005.
    Courtesy Gerry Jenkins.

  11. Aerial photo of the remains of the 423 Squadron dispersal area - 30 April 2005.
    Courtesy Gerry Jenkins.

  12. Aerial photo of the remains of the 430 Squadron dispersal area - 30 April 2005.
    Courtesy Gerry Jenkins.

  13. Aerial photo of the remains of the 430 Squadron dispersal area - 30 April 2005.
    Courtesy Gerry Jenkins.

  14. Aerial photo of the station, heading towards the main gate of the airfield - 30 April 2005.
    Courtesy Gerry Jenkins.

  15. Aerial photo of the swimming pool and the rec hall foundations along with the 421 Squadron dispersal area - 30 April 2005.
    Courtesy Gerry Jenkins.

  16. Aerial photo showing the foundations of the Swimming Pool and the Rec Hall - 30 April 2005.
    The Curling Rink and the Ice Arena are still there, to the left of the foundations.
    Courtesy Gerry Jenkins.

  17. Aerial photo of the Ice Arena and the Curling Rink with the 421 Squadron dispersal area - 30 April 2005.
    Courtesy Gerry Jenkins.

  18. Aerial photo showing the foundations of the Swimming Pool and the Rec Hall - 30 April 2005.
    The Curling Rink and the Ice Arena are still there, to the left of the foundations.
    Courtesy Gerry Jenkins.

  19. Aerial photo of 421 Squadron dispersal area - 30 April 2005.
    Courtesy Gerry Jenkins.

  20. Remains of the guard house at the main gate of the airfield - 30 April 2005.
    As seen from outside of the fence surrounding the airfield.
    Courtesy Gerry Jenkins.


  21. French Air Force map/diagram showing the remains at Grostenquin - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  22. Larger image of the previous map - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  23. RCAF map/diagram of the domestic site on the airfirld (dated 1 May 1962) - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  24. Larger image of the previous map - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  25. Legend of the original map of 1 May 1962 - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  26. Larger image of the legend for the map from 1 May 1962 - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  27. Map/diagram of the domestic site - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  28. Larger image of the previous map - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  29. Map/diagram of the domestic site - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  30. Larger image of the previous map - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  31. Map/diagram of the domestic site - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  32. Larger image of the previous map - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.


  33. Two buildings down from Shelter #1 - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  34. Two buildings down from Shelter #1 - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  35. Shelter #1 with an active hangar in the background - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  36. Shelter #1 with the Maple Leaf marker - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  37. Remains of Wing Headquarters building - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  38. The hangar line and the remains of the control tower as seen from the runway - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  39. The Ammo Depot at the north end - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  40. The Ammo Depot at the north end - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  41. The Ammo Depot at the north end - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  42. Remains of the Control tower - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  43. Larger image of the control tower - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  44. Interior view of the remains of the control tower - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  45. Interior view of the remains of the control tower - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  46. Interior view of hangar #2 - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  47. View of the ramp looking south as seen from the control tower - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  48. Remains of a faded sign on Hangar #4 - 7-15 April 2005.
    "Visiting Propellor Aircraft Pilots Report Here"
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  49. The hangar line looking south - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  50. The hangar line looking north - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  51. Center of runway looking north towards the French Radar - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  52. Larger image of the previous photo - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  53. Center of runway looking south towards French radar on the left hand side - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  54. Communications antennas - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  55. The heating plant close to the transmitter building - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  56. Interior view showing the remains within the Heating Plant building - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  57. Interior view showing the remains within the Heating Plant building - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  58. Building next to the northern most hangar on the ramp - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  59. Exterior view of the remains of the Wing Workshops building - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  60. Exterior view of the remains of the Wing Workshops building - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  61. Looking into the remains of the Wing Workshops building - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  62. Exterior view of the remains of the Wing Workshops building - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  63. Exterior view of the remains of a Supply Building - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  64. Faded "cross marks" on the facade of the RC Chapel - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  65. Front of the facade to the RC Chapel - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  66. Looking through the facade to the RC Chapel - 7-15 April 2005.
    Looking at the area where the RC Chapel was located.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  67. Looking at the back of the facade to the RC Chapel - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  68. Front of the facade to the Protestant Chapel - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  69. Side of the facade to the Protestant Chapel - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  70. Remains of the "tennis courts" - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  71. The "water tower" - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  72. Interior view of the remains of the ice arena - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  73. Interior view of the remains of the ice arena - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  74. Interior photo showing the remains of the ice arena - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  75. Interior photo showing the remains of the ice arena - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  76. Photo showing the remains under the bleechers in the ice arena - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  77. Exterior view of the end of the Curling Rink - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  78. Closer view of the end of the Curling Rink - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  79. Interior view of the Curling Rink - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  80. Blue circle still visible in the Curling Rink - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  81. Better view of the blue circle in the Curling Rink - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  82. Foundation where the Swimming Pool was once located - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  83. Remains of the six bay Esso Gasoline station - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  84. Closer view and larger image of the six bay Esso gasoline station - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  85. Another view of the six bay Esso gasoline station - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  86. Looking north down Halifax Street from the Esso station - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  87. Looking south down Halifax Street from the Esso station - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  88. Interior view of the remains of the Officer's Mess - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  89. Exterior view showing the remains of the Officer's Mess - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  90. Taking photos from within the Officer's Mess - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  91. Interior view showing the remains of the Sr NCO's Mess - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  92. Remains of the kitchen in the Officer's Mess-Sr NCO's Mess - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  93. Door to the freezer in the Officer's Mess - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  94. Exterior view of the Officer's Mess (building 34) - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  95. Exterior view outside of the Officer's Mess - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  96. Remains of a fireplace within the Officer's Mess - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  97. Gutted remains within the Officer's Mess - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  98. Gutted remains within the Officer's Mess - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  99. Gutted remains within the Officer's Mess - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  100. Remains of a small fountain by the Officer's Mess - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  101. Exterior view of the remains of the T-52 building - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  102. Interior views of the remains of the T-52 building - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  103. Interior views of the remains of the T-52 building - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  104. Exterior view of the remains of the T-52 building - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  105. Exterior view of the remains of the Transmitter building - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  106. Looking into the remains of the Transitter building - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  107. Exterior view of the remains of the guardhouse at the main gate - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  108. Exterior view of the remains of the guardhouse at the main gate - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  109. Interior view of the remains of the guardhouse at the main gate - 7-15 April 2005.
    Courtesy Rod Vanderzalm.

  110. Sign pointing to front gate - July 2005.
    Courtesy Henk Mulder.

  111. The front gate - July 2005.
    Courtesy Henk Mulder.

  112. South side of the runway - July 2005.
    Courtesy Henk Mulder.

  113. South side of the runway - July 2005.
    Courtesy Henk Mulder.

  114. South side of the runway - July 2005.
    Courtesy Henk Mulder.

  115. South side of the dispersal area in the south east - July 2005.
    Courtesy Henk Mulder.

  116. South side of the dispersal area in the south east - July 2005.
    Courtesy Henk Mulder.


Photographic Credits

All photos are used with permission.

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Updated: May 17, 2005