Frigate Otago To Join Commonwealth Exercise

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29752, 20 February 1962, Page 22

Frigate Otago To Join Commonwealth Exercise

(New Zealand Press Association}

WELLINGTON. February 19. The Royal New Zealand Navy's frigate H.M.N.ZB. Otago will represent New Zealand in “Jet 62,” a 50-ship Commonwealth training exercise to begin in the Far East on February 16. The Minister ol Defence (Mr Eyre) said tsday that eight Commonwealth countries Britain, Australia, Canada, Ceylon. India, Malaya, New Zealand and Pakistan —were contributing ships and aircraft.

“It is a sinking commentary on the growth of Commonwealth naval power that an exercise like this can draw 50 ships of all types, from aircraft carriers to submarines, and that they can come from eight navies, all witth an interest in Ute Pacific,” Mr Eyre said. “In addition, a substantial number of aircraft, maritime end strike, shore and carrier-(based, will be involved.” He said the force would exercise in the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal, finishing at Singapore on March

16 for post-exercise discussion. The exercise would be conducted by the Commander-in-Chief of the Far East Fleet, Admiral Sir Da-vid Luce, but naval commanders of each nation would exercise tactical control at various times. The exercise would be preceded by a .minesweeping exercise off Malacca. The ftoyal New Zealand Navyhad sent an observer, Lieutenant-Commander J. P. D. Hall, to this.