N.Z. JETS NOW AT MALTA

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27302, 19 March 1954, Page 11

N.Z. JETS NOW AT MALTA

SHARE IN N.A.T.O. EXERCISE

(Rec. 8 p.m.) MALTA, March 17. Squadron Leader Sidney Hope (d’Urville Island) has arrived in Malta with his No. 14 Royal New Zealand Air Force Squadron to join the Royal Australian Air Force 78th Fighter Wing in the coming big combined North Atlantic Treaty Organisation exercises in the Mediterranean. - Squadron Leader Hope said he had brought 17 pilots and 100 ground staff. The squadron has 17 Vampires. It will‘be based with the Australian aircraft at Ta Qali, the famous war-time fighter base. The Australians, led by Group Captain Eaton, welcomed the New Zealanders on their arrival yesterday. The N ew Zealand aircraft no longer have their “Popsy” drawings (such decorations are now forbidden by the Royal Air Force) ■, but seven had crests commemorating their appearance in the Coronation fly-past at Dar-es-Salaam, Tanganyika, last year. Flying Officer J. L. Harris (Waipawa) was one of the four Nfew Zealand Squadron pilots who flew in the Tanganyika fly-past. Flying Officer Mclntyre (Wellington) took part in the Coronation march in London. Many of the New Zealanders were in Malta last year, and have already had valuable experience for the coming N.A.T.O. exercises. Thev have just finished a combined exercise off Cyprus'with the Navy, in which they co-operated with Commandos of the Royal Marines when they were ordered to Malta. ‘ ?