No. 1 GRS BCATP

1 GRS BCATP
Country	Canada
Branch	Royal Canadian Air Force
Role	General Reconnaissance (Ocean Patrol) Training
Part of	RCAF Eastern Air Command No. 3 Training Command

1 General Reconnaissance (Ocean Patrol) was a flight training squadron in 3 Training Command, of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan("BCATP"), flying Avro Anson's from RCAF Station Summerside, PEI. ^[1]

RCAF Eastern Air Command was the part of the Royal Canadian Air Force's Home War Establishment responsible for air operations on the Atlantic coast of Canada during the Second World War, including BCATP flight schools. Many of its assigned training schools conducted advanced flying courses including Service Flying Training (SFTS), Air Observer (AOS), Bombing and Gunnery (BGS), General Reconnaissance (ocean patrol) (GRS), Naval Aerial Gunnery (NAGS), Air Navigation (ANS) and Operational (OTU) training throughout the war. Together with some advanced aircraft types these units mainly flew older bomber and patrol aircraft that had been removed from active service. ^[1]

These schools were not part of the Order of Battle of RCAF Eastern Air Command. However, 3 Training Command aircraft were very active over the entire Eastern Command Area of Operations. They made an important contribution to the surveillance of the region as a force multiplier, providing extra eyes and ears. During the emergency known as the Battle of the St. Lawrence their role was very important and some units undertook combat patrols. ^[2]

See also

• Article XV squadrons
• British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
• RCAF Eastern Air Command
• List of British Commonwealth Air Training Plan facilities in Canada

References