Following discussions between the RCAF and the USAF, the RCAF recently established an air gunnery range in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, primarily for use by fighter units of the USAF based at Goose Bay.

2. Attached for your initials, if you agree, is a note to the United States Embassy extending an invitation to the U.S. Government for aircraft of the USAF based in Newfoundland to make use of the range.

3. The extending of an invitation in this way and the terms of the note have been worked out in consultation with the Department of National Defence so as not to prejudice whatever decision the Government may eventually take with regard to claiming the Gulf of St. Lawrence as Canadian territorial waters, which is one of the subjects now being considered by the Interdepartmental Committee on Territorial Waters.

J. L[ÉGER]

No. D-187
Ottawa, August 5, 1955

CONFIDENTIAL

The Secretary of State for External Affairs presents his compliments to His Excellency the Ambassador of the United States of America and has the honour to refer to discussions which have recently taken place between the Royal Canadian Air Force and the United States Air Force concerning a United States requirement for an air gunnery range in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

The Canadian Government is pleased to extend an invitation to the United States Government for United States military aircraft to make use of an air gunnery range recently established by the Royal Canadian Air Force in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The boundaries of the range are as follows:

"Commencing at the Northwest corner and proceeding clockwise, the co-ordinates are as follows:

and thence to the point of beginning." Copies of the Notice to Mariners defining the range are attached? for the Ambassador's information.

The following restrictions and conditions apply to the use of the range:

(a) The use of the range will be restricted to aircraft of the United States Air Force based in Newfoundland.

(b) The area will be searched for surface vessels by aircraft before firing exercises are carried out.

(c) There will be no firing conducted while there are vessels anywhere in the area in which spent missiles may fall.

(d) Prior to any air firing exercise on the range, notification of intent, including time of use, will be passed to the ATC Centre at Gander.

(e) At all times, while the range is in use, surveillance radar will scan the area to ensure that it is clear of any civil aircraft. If it is apparent that any civil aircraft is about to enter the danger area while exercises are in progress, such exercises will cease until the area is once again free.

(f) All air firing exercises will be conducted in such a manner as to ensure that all missiles will fall within the designated danger area, and that there will be no interference to aircraft operating on Red Route 74 or Red Route 5.

(g) The United States and Canadian Governments agree that all claims arising out of damage or injury to persons or property occurring in connection with the use of the range by United States aircraft will be settled in accordance with Article VIII of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Status of Forces Agreement.⁷⁷

(h) This invitation is extended to the United States Government for the period ending on December 31, 1956, and may be renewed by mutual agreement.

The Canadian Government wishes to be informed if it is the desire of the United States Government to accept the invitation for the use of the range subject to the conditions noted above.

L.B. PEARSON