FIVE REGULAR SQUADRONS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 14638, 6 April 1948, Page 3

FIVE REGULAR SQUADRONS

TARGET PLAN FOR R.N.Z.A.F. Camber Reconnaissance Units Probable Location In Fiji.

(Specxal to The Times) ™ , , • Wellington,' today. The .argec plan for the Royal New rnTiw Alr ?. orce ' as outlined in tne aeience policy for the Dominion £™ V 1 , f ? r i he establishment "of "a Regular Air Force, a Territorial Air *orce, ana Air Training Corps and an Air Force Reserve. The Regular Air i-orce, on which the whole organisation depends, will consist of Air Headquarters, a decentralised command organisation, five regular squadrons and ancillary engineermf> equipment and training units. ihe Regular Squadrons," states tne report, "will comprise two longrange bomber reconnaissance squadrons, one fighter, one transport and one Flying Boat Squadron. It is desirable that advanced flights of one bomber reconnaissance squadron and the Flying Boat Squadron should be located in Fiji. The arrangements governing the location of these squadrons in Fiji will be discussed shortly with the Governments of the United Kingdom and Fiji. FuII-Time Basis "The Air Force, like the Navy, owing to the complex technical nature of these services and the long training required must be established mainly on a full-time basis. Furthermore, the probable role of the Air Force in emergency and the obligations assumed under the United Nations Charter demand a state of immediate readiness. The R.N.Z.A.F. will be organised, trained and equipped to operate as a part of the Commonwealth, Air Forces and in support of the United Nation- although emphasis will be placed on its immediate responsibilities in cooperation with the Navy in defence of trade and communications in the South Pacific Area. Provision is also to be made for Army-Air support and miscellaneous transport duties for the Army Forces. "It is proposed to" effect this plan progressively over the next four years, by which time the establishment of the Regular Air Force should approximate to 4.000 officers and mem " Today, the establishment is approximately 2,500 and this will increase at the rale of 500 per annum up to the approximate target figure of 4,000 all ranks. Non-Scgular Units

"The development of the NonRegular Air Forces depends entirely upon the expansion of the Regular Air Force on which the former are dependent for the necessary administrative and instructional staffs and the bulk of technical maintenance. It is proposed to develop Territorial Air Force Units on a volunteer basis at the four main centres as soon as the resources of the Regular Air Force permit. These units will comprise a small permanent nucleus, but otherwise the flying and technical personnel will consist cf volunteers trained at nights and week-ends with an annual camp period. "The Air Training Corps which has been actively training since its formation in 1941 has now been established as an integral part of the R.N.Z.A.F. The corps will have a strength of approximately 5,000 cadets, 2,000 of whom will comprise city and country units and 3,000 secondary school units. _ "The major items of equipment, for the post-war Air Force over the next four years have been retained from war equipment, supplemented by the purchase of 80 Mosiuito aircraft from the United Kingdom. This equipment will enable the R.N.Z.A.F. to be reorganised and trained during the interim period until the most modern type aircraft can be secured." ,