Call For Permanent Squadron At Darwin

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30542, 10 September 1964, Page 17

Call For Permanent Squadron At Darwin

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

DARWIN, September 9.

A plea for the squadron of 16 Sabre jet fighters now at Darwin for a fortnight’s mobility exercises to remain permanently at Darwin was made today by the Mayor of Darwin (Aiderman N. H, Cooper).

The Australian Cabinet at its meeting tomorrow will decide if, the jet squadron now exercising in the Darwin area will remain there for a longer period than at first intended. The aircraft left Williamtown air base in northern New South Wales yesterday. The exercise was described by Royal Australian Air Force spokesmen as “routine training.” However, the dispatch of

these jets led to speculation in Australia that the squadron might be kept in Darwin in view of accelerated Indonesian pressure against Malaysia. “At least the Sabre jets would constitute an initial striking force in the event of an attack,” said Aiderman Cooper. He said there was no need for panic measures, but the international situation, especially in Asia, made the need for improved northern defences obvious. The strategy of the R.A.A.F, was based on the mobility of its squadrons and their ability to fly to

Darwin quickly, he said. “But we are not going to be given a week’s notice of an attack,” he said. Aiderman Cooper said that permanent stationing of the squadron in Darwin would be welcomed by all- the citizens of northern Australia but should be accompanied by a build-up of both the army and navy, which was far below the 1939 level. “As taxpayers in our front line of defence, we have the right to be given protection and to feel some sense of security,” he said. Service circles are mystified at reports of Darwin defences being placed on an “alert.” However ; the Federal Government is constructing a new R.A.A.F. base at Tindall, 170 miles south of Darwin. It will take two years to build, although being given priority. and will cost £3,500,000. Army Denial An Army spokesman today denied that its forces in Darwin had been placed on an alert. These forces comprised the headquarters of the Northern Territory command, and a small supply and transport organisation, it was stated. The spokesman said there was no artillery or antiaircraft weapons at the Army base. The Army did not propose carrying out any mobility or tactical exercises around Darwin in the near future.