AIR EXERCISES AT ASHBURTON

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27206, 25 November 1953, Page 12

AIR EXERCISES AT ASHBURTON

SQUADRON TO MOVE BASE WEEK-END PRACTICE FOR TERRITORIAL FORCE Number 3 (Canterbury) Squadron, Territorial Air Force, will be watched very closely on Saturday. It will be the first of the four territorial squadrons in New Zealand to fulfil its purpose as a mobile striking force and to test its ability to move its base and begin operations agaiq quickly and efficiently. Mustangs, four Harvards, 10 pilots, about 35 ground crewmen, and 11 vehicles will travel to Ashburton on Saturday and set up headquarters at the Ashburton airfield. From their base at Ashburton aircraft of the squadron will carry out air firing practice on a drogue out to sea, and formation flying. Practice for both air and ground crews will also be supplied on the trek to Ashburton. When the convoy of vehicles is well clear of the city. Mustangs will make strafing attacks, giving ground crews the opportunity of trying out their drill for air raids, dispersing vehicles, and taking cover. A crane, crash tender, ambulance, and tankers with about 3000 gallons of fuel as well as trucks carrying ammunition, food, and medical supplies, will make up the convoy. The vehicles will leave Wigram in the early hours of Saturday morning.

At Ashburton tents will be pitched, messes will be established, and headquarters will be set up.

In this way the squadron will test its ability to move about the country quickly and begin fighting efficiently.