1940-1949

World — November 12, 1944

The six-ton bomb that destroyed the German battleship Tirpitz was released by Rivers-born F/O Walter Daniel. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

1945

A trade group arranges a V-E Day Celebration and launches a twelve-member Rehabilitation Committee.

1945

In five years, No. 1 Central Navigation School at Rivers, Manitoba, saw 126 classes graduate. Personnel at its peak totalled 3,000.

August 1945

One week after V-J Day, No1. CNS, the largest training centre of its kind on the North American continent, closed (temporarily). The event was marked by Air Force Day – an event that drew about 12,000 people, the greatest crowd to ever assemble in the region.

Manitoba — October 1945

A plan for Army/Air activities in Canada resulted in the formation of No. 1 Airborne Research and Development Centre located at Camp Shilo. By April 1947, sufficient progress had been made to permit the unit to be called the Joint Air School, and it was moved to Rivers.

1947

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

Manitoba — 1947

Joint Air School was moved from Camp Shilo to Rivers under the command of G/C M. G. Doyle. Its function was to meet all the requirements of training and development for the Canadian forces in tactical support of land and airborne operations.

1947

Carol Yvonne Schmitz was the first "air school child" born in Madden Nursing Home.

1947

The Army Aviation Tactical Training School was established at Rivers to provide pilot training to Army aviators, as well as helicopter instructor training for the Army, RCN, and RCAF.

January 15, 1947

RCAF Guards took charge of Rivers Airport.