RCAF Station Buttress

The station was closed following the end of World War II. As part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), its primary purpose was to train aircrew for the war effort. With the conclusion of the war in Europe and the subsequent demobilization, the massive training infrastructure of the BCATP was no longer required, leading to the closure of dozens of similar airfields across Canada.

The site of the former RCAF Station Buttress is now almost entirely private agricultural land. The characteristic triangular runway pattern is still clearly visible from satellite imagery, but the runways themselves have been removed, and the land is used for farming crops. Most of the original buildings, including the large hangars and barracks, have been dismantled, sold, or have collapsed over the decades. A few building foundations and small, derelict structures may remain scattered on the property, serving as a quiet reminder of its wartime past. The site is not accessible to the public.

RCAF Station Buttress was a significant component of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), a massive joint military aircrew training program during WWII. The station was specifically constructed for this purpose and opened on September 28, 1941. It was home to No. 3 Air Observer School (AOS), which was operated on behalf of the RCAF by Canadian Pacific Air Lines. The school's primary mission was to train air observers, who were responsible for navigation, bomb aiming, and reconnaissance. The main aircraft used for this training was the Avro Anson. Thousands of airmen from Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand passed through its gates, making a vital contribution to the Allied victory. The station featured the standard BCATP triangular runway layout and numerous hangars, barracks, and training facilities.

There are no plans or prospects for reopening RCAF Station Buttress as an airport. The essential aviation infrastructure, including runways, taxiways, and hangars, has been removed or has deteriorated beyond repair. The land is privately owned and has been successfully converted to agricultural use. Furthermore, the region's aviation needs are fully served by the nearby CFB Moose Jaw, an active Canadian Forces airbase and home to the Snowbirds aerobatic team, as well as the Moose Jaw Municipal Airport (CJB4).