page_title: CFB Picton
section_title: Second World War
hierarchical_section_title: CFB Picton / Second World War
caption_attribution_description: English: Aerial ot RCAF Station Picton, Royal Air Force No. 31 Bombing and Gunnery School, Picton, Ontario, Canada.
context_page_description: Canadian Forces Base Picton was a military installation located in Picton, Ontario. The base was active from the Second World War to 1969 and served the Royal Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force and Canadian Army. Today, the site functions as the Picton Airport.
context_section_description: The base at Picton originated as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. An airfield was built on a high plateau overlooking Picton and the Royal Air Force's No. 31 Bombing & Gunnery School officially opened in April 1941. Five bombing ranges were also created to allow the students to practice. Aircraft flown at the base included the Avro Anson, Fairey Battle, Bristol Bolingbroke and Westland Lysander. The school offered six week courses in bombing, navigation and air gunnery until it was disbanded in November 1944, at which point the Royal Canadian Air Force established the No. 5 Reserve Equipment Maintenance Unit at Picton. This unit was responsible for aircraft storage and maintenance of the airfield itself. This unit operated until January 1946 when its functions were absorbed by a unit at RCAF Station Trenton.
caption: Royal Air Force No. 31 B & GS in World War II
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