How a French Chateau resurfaced in Saskatchewan, Canada! In the 60's the plucky pilots at Canada's base near Marville, France wanted a spiffy 'Mess' so they bought an old French chateau in Montmedy from the 1600's, took it apart & completely rebuilt it on the base (omiting 1 blank of wood!..pay attention). PROBLEM: France pulls-out of NATO and tells Canada to scoot. BUT local law says any 'unfinished' projects could be taken home. Rember that plank? RESULT: Having an air force at their disposal the pilots photographed every single part of the place, labouriosuly took it apart and flew it to Canada –where its eventually reassembled at CFB (Moose Jaw), SASK! (now callled 15 Wing!). The Chateau Room, as its called, has some of the earliest red glass and wood beams dating back more than 700 years.

DETAILS: Most of the wood came from an abandonded Chateau in Montmedy (France). The castle was built in 1601 by Jean III d'Allamont (Governor, 1595 - 1617). Some of the wood is judged to be more than 780 years old....as some of the materials dated to 1224 in the orignal building.

Stained Glass Windows: The windows in the Chateau Room come from a 12th century church in Marville, France ( a monument of the Natuional Trust). The glass had been packed away in cases during both world wars. The red glass is some of the oldest Papal glass in France.

I did this story yrs back as a freelancer but thought what the heck ...it's a GREAT tale. Hope to revisit. It's BUT one of the unique wonders in the beyond magical Saskatchewan....(best cinnamon rolls west of the aurora borealis; most staggering Northern Lights anywhere; Emma Lake & Duck Lake, Cypress Hills...the human-scaled and stunning Saskatoon and more than one can imagine. Q: Why you've never really heard of Sask? A: Canadians dont want you to! Ha! Cheers! SUBSCRIBE! 15 Wing is also home to the famed Canadian Aerobatics Jet Team, the Snowbirds!