U.S. Air Force Air Sampling Plans

Press, Volume C, Issue 29682, 28 November 1961, Page 18

U.S. Air Force Air Sampling Plans

(New Zealand Press Association)

PALMERSTON N., Nov. 27. The United States Air Force hoped to begin its high-altitude air sampling from a base in New Zealand or Australia in July of next year said the commander of the 13-man team at present in New Zealand (Colonel T. A. Aldrich) at the R.N.Z.A-F. station, Ohakea, today. Colonel- Aldrich said his team’s mission was purely fact-finding and the decision would be made by higher authority in the United States. Some expenditure would be required on runways at whichever base was chosen. Colonel Aldrich said. The air sampling team would be equipped with seven aircraft altogether four of the American version of the Canberra (the 857), one Hercules (C 130 and two U2’s. At a

later date consideration would be given to the replacement of the Bs7’s with the B47—probably three of these aircraft in about two years. Accommodation would be required for 150 men and their families (about 350 in all), and the accommodation position would have to be looked at with other aspects in the survey, said Colonel Aldrich. “We will want to work tn closely with the New Zealand service," he said when questioned on the amount of co-operation hoped for in New Zealand or Australia. “We would also like to become part of the local community,’’ he said. The team was looking at three airfields in New Zealand—Christchurch, Ohakea, and Whenua., _i—in its quest to supplant the temporary arrangement in Australia with a permanent arrangement. At Ohakea the team looked over the station and at the general locality, including the nearby townships and Palmerston North, They also had discussions with the officer commanding at Ohakea (Group Captain R. F. Watson), the officer commanding the administration wing, and the officer commanding the technical wing.