The first US nuclear weapon came to Canada in 1950 when the United States Air Force Strategic Air Command stationed 11 model 1561 Fat Man atomic bombs at CFB Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador. Goose Bay was used as an aircraft staging location for both the RAF V-Force and SAC. The bombers were landed; crews relieved; aircraft refueled, or repaired; all without having to return to bases in the continental US, which were an additional 1,500 or more flying miles away from the bomber's potential targets. The few nuclear weapons designs of the time were delicate precision devices, which needed off-aircraft inspection (after landing), and environmental sheltering (at a secure warm/dry location) while their carrier aircraft was on the ground for routine maintenance or repair.