As the war in Europe escalated, an agreement between Great Britain and the United States was made, giving the USA eight strategic military locations in the Atlantic and Caribbean in exchange for fifty WWI destroyers. One of these locations became Goose Air Base, a landing and refueling stop for the Atlantic Ferry route. Men from around Labrador began working on the base in 1942, and in 1943 three families arrived; Saunders from Davis Inlet, Broomfields from Big Bay, and Perraults from Makkovik. Military regulations required these people to make their home at least five miles from the airbase and fuel tanks. The site chosen was Happy Valley and life began with three tents and all the belongings stacked on the river bank under tarpaulins.