The airfield at Chatham was located about three miles south of the township of Chatham. During World War II, the skies around the Miramachi River area were filled with the sounds of training aircraft stationed at RCAF Station Chatham, New Brunswick. From 3 July 1941 until its closure on 14 August 1942, No. 21 Elementary Flying School used the Fleet 16B Finch Mk II. Beginning on 21 July 1941, Avro Ansons plied the skies of northeastern New Brunswick as part of No. 10 Air Observer School (AOS). With victory in Europe assured, all flying training ceased on 30 April 1945. During its existence, the AOS graduated more than 1,500 trainees. The station was closed, and all buildings and equipment were turned over to War Asets for disposal.
On 6 October 1949, after a four year dormancy, the reopening of RCAF Station Chatham was heralded by a flypast of deHavilland Vampire Mk. IIIs. The station became home to the newly created No. 1 Fighter Operational Training Unit. The unit's role was to train single-engine fighter pilots on the Vampire, a small twin boom jet aircraft. A little under three weeks prior to the OTU arriving, 2 Aircraft Control and Warning Unit formed on the station with eight Air Ministry Experimental System (AMES) II Convoy mobile radar units. 15 September 1949 marked the day that 421 (F) Squadron was re-formed at Chatham. The role of 421 Squadron was to provide aerial protection for eastern Canada's major industries. An additional unit formed at Chatham was 2 Air Defence Control Centrre (ADCC). By the beginning of December 1952, 2 AC&W Unit was deactivated, but 21 AC&W Squadron was created in its place. In mid-January 1951, 421 Squadron left Chatham for operational training with the RAF at Odiham, Hampshire, England. In early 1951, No. 1 Fighter OTU traded in their little Vampires for the new Canadair Sabre Mk. 2 and on 15 October 1953, 21 AC&W Squadron relocated from Chatham to St. Margarets.
One of the world's premiere aerobatic teams was formed at RCAF Station Chatham in 1959. The "Golden Hawks", flying their gold painted Canadair Sabre Mk. 5s, were formed to celebrate the Fiftieth Anniversary of powered flight in Canada. RCAF Station Chatham would be their home station until 1962, when they departed for RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario.
Beginning in 1959 and through to 1962, detachments of the all-weather CF-100 Canucks from North Bay, Bagotville, Uplands and St. Hubert, began flying air defence operations from Chatham.
In late 1961, No. 1 OTU was disbanded: however, in its place came the Sabre Transition Unit (STU). STU Course No. 1 began training on the Sabre in Fenruary 1962: these pilots were destined for the new CF-104 Starfighter.
By November 1962 the main runway (09/27) was extended to 10,000 by 150 feet. The extra length and width would be needed for 416 AW (F) Squadron with their new CF-101 Voodoos. On 16 November 1962, 416 Squadron arrived from RCAF Station Bagotville, and Chatham would be their new home for the next 22 years. Along with the Voodoos, came nuclear weapons and in the fall of 1964, Detachment 4 of the USAF's 425th Maintenance Squadron was assiged to Chatham to act as caretakers of the nuclear arsenal.
RCAF Station Chatham became CFB Chatham in April 1966. This date also coincides with St. Margarets becoming CFB Chatham St. Margarets Detachment. An added responsibility came when the former RCN Ammunition Depot Renous (subsequently known as Canadian Forces Ammunition Depot), located west of Newcastle, became a part of the base. After training approximately 500 students, the STU closed its doors for good in December 1968. In July 1969, the Bagotville based 410 (Operational Training) Fighter Squadron formed a detachment of Canadair T-33 Silver Stars. This detachment utilized the facilities vacated by the STU and was established to provide target support and additional instrument flying training for 416 Squadron.
In January 1970, 433e ETAC (433 Tactical Fighter Squadron), with their CF-5s, made its first deployment to Chatham. They were there to qualify pilots in conventional weapons delivery in CF-5s at CFB Chatham's Tracadie Range. The CF-5s would be a familiar sight in the area for many years.
416 Squadron operated from CFB Shearwater, Nova Scotia, from July to mid-October 1973, while the runway at Chatham was resurfaced and the airfield lighting improved. On 15 October 1975, 410 (AW) OTS Detachment was redesignated Base Flight Chatham.
On 16 July 1976 CFB Chatham hosted Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip, on a Royal Visit to New Brunswick.
In June 1977, 3 Field Technical Training Unit (FTTU) arrived in Chatham. The unit was responsible for training technicians on every type of helicopter in the CF inventory excpet the CH-124 Sea King.
On 16 August 1978, the people of Chatham honoured the base with the Freedom of the Town. Also, in 1978 CFAD Renous was closed. CFB Chatham including 416 Squadron became a part of Fighter Group in July 1982. The last CF-101 Voodoo five minute alert was held on 31 December 1984.
Chatham became the home of 434 Tactical (F) Squadron from 1985 to 1988 when they disbanded. Later, as an Army base, with the Low Level Air Defence School, its fragile existence continued until final closure in the spring of 1995.
The airfield is still open, and it is now called the Miramachi Regional Airport.
Updated: April 13, 2005