Royal Canadian Naval Air Service

The Royal Canadian Naval Air Service (RCNAS) was established in 1918 during the First World War in response to a Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) recommendation that defensive air patrols be established off Canada's Atlantic coast to protect shipping from German U-boats.

[1] The United States already had aircraft and bases to defend its own shores, but it was concluded that additional stations in Canada would be needed.

The United States Naval Flying Corps flew convoy escort missions and reconnaissance patrols from two air stations which were established in Nova Scotia near convoy assembly ports: Escorts were provided to ships leaving and entering port.

Several Canadian Naval Air Service pilots were loaned to the Royal Navy and few from British aircraft carriers.

Lieutenant Robert Hampton Gray was awarded the Victoria Cross for his action when he died just five days before the war ended.

The first group of cadets of the Royal Canadian Naval Air Service being trained at the US Navy Ground School, Walker Hall, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, circa Sept 1918.
The first group of cadets of the Royal Canadian Naval Air Service being trained at the US Navy Ground School, Walker Hall, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , circa Sept 1918.