The United States in the Fall of 1952 withdrew its proposals for the establishment of an airhead and the basing of a fighter squadron at Torbay in peacetime on the understanding that Canada would undertake to improve the air field to jet fighter standards. At the January 1953 meeting of the PJBD, the US Section of the Board presented its revised requirements for the use of facilities at Torbay. These were as follows:

"(a) Continuing- Functions

(i) an air transport squadron, administrative flying, and those activities necessary to support administrative flying operations for Headquarters, Northeast Air Command (approximate strength 500 officers and men);

(ii) housing for transient personnel (up to 200).

(b) Temporary Requirement (pending construction of necessary buildings on the Leased Bases)

(i) HQ 950th Engineer Aviation Group;

(ii) Maintenance personnel;

(iii) 3rd Installation and Maintenance Squadron;

(iv) 11th Air Photo Flight.

the total number of personnel involved in (b) is about 600."

At the meeting, of February 10, 1953, Cabinet Defence Committee approved the following:

(a) the RCAF is to take over the operation of Torbay Airport from the Department of Transport as soon as possible;

(b) the United States will be informed that the use of the buildings and other facilities which have been requested by the USAF is approved for a period of one year and thereafter from year to year, subject to termination by either country on thirty days notice, and subject to the following considerations:

(i) permission to station forces up to a total strength of 1300 on Torbay is granted until July 1, 1955, or until accommodation is available on the Leased Bases, whichever period shall be shorter. After July 1, 1955, the only forces to be stationed at Torbay will be those necessary in connection with the administrative flying operations for Headquarters, Northeast Air Command, i.e, approximately 500 officers and men;

(ii) every effort will be made by the USAF as rapidly as possible to provide accommodation on the Leased Bases for the 200 transients and for the 600 personnel for whom temporary accommodation is required at Torbay;

(iii) in event of action being taken to exercise the short term cancellation clause for any reason other than Canadian defence requirements, the matter may be referred by either Government to the PJBD.

A draft note is now being prepared and will be submitted for approval shortly.