MALAYA DEFENCE EXERCISES

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27906, 1 March 1956, Page 4

MALAYA DEFENCE EXERCISES

R.N.Z.A.F. OFFICERS TO BE OBSERVERS

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 29. Five officers of the Royal New Zealand Air Force will leave New Zealand on Sunday for Malaya, where they will be attached to the Far East Air Force for 10 days. All officers of the air defence organisation, they will act as observers at exercises in Malaya. This was announced today by the Acting Minister of Defence (Mr E. H. Halstead). He said an invitation had been accepted from the headquarters of the Far East Air Force, to send a detachment to Malaya to observe the Royal Air Force’s control and reporting organisation in action there, to study the equipment in current use, and to enable New Zealand officers to study the latest techniques under Royal Air Force specialists.

The officers comprising the party are Wing Commander J. R. Maling, A.F.C. (Christchurch), Squadron Leader R. G. Jeffs (Wanganui), Flight Lieutenant R. R. Carter (Auckland). Flight Lieutenant C. M. Hanson (Feilding), and Flying Officer R. J. Harstonge (Mosgiel).

Wing Commander Maling is a Territorial officer, who commands the air defence organisation’s headquarters in Christchurch. The others are Regular officers.

The Minister said that the officers would fly to Singapore in a Hastings aircraft of No. 40 Squadron, returning in a Bristol Freighter of No. 41 Squadron. Wing Commander Maling will command the detachment.