N.Z. To Take Part In Air Exercises

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30793, 3 July 1965, Page 17

N.Z. To Take Part In Air Exercises

(N.Z. Pres* Association—Copyright)

CANBERRA, July 2.

The biggest peace-time air exercises ever held in Australia will be held along the east coast in October, according to sources in Canberra.

Aircraft from the air forces of the United States, Australia and New Zealand will take part. More than 70 bombers, fighters and transport aircraft will be used and the exercise will feature mock air raids on Sydney, Newcastle, Brisbane and Townsville. A group of United States and New Zealand Air Force officers arrived in Australia this week to begin planning the exercise with R.A.A.F. Operational Command, Sydney. The exercise, from October 4 to 17, is regarded as especially significant in view of the worsening South-east Asian situation. It is expected to include simulated bombing attacks, interception, air-to-air refuelling and air-to-ground firepower display. The firepower display may be at the R.A.A.F.’s bombing range at Evans Head, in northern New South Wales. The R.A.A.F.’s No. 30 Bloodhound ground-to-air missile

squadron at Williamstown, near Newcastle, will take part in defence against mock raids. The R.A.A.F. will contribute six Mirage and 12 Sabre fighters from Williamstown, 14 Canberra bombers from Amberley, and Hercules, Caribou and Dakota transports from Richmond and Canberra. The U.S.A.F. will send six FlO5 fighters, four RFIOI twin-jet reconnaissance fighters, eight Hercules transports and Ave KCI3S Boeing tankers. The tankers will refuel the fighters in flight to Australia, and possibly at stages during the exercise. The R.N.Z.A.A.F., unless the Vietnam crisis makes greater demands, is expected to send about six Canberra bombers and two or three Hercules. The Boeing tankers are expected to be based at Townsville, and the other aircraft at any of the four bases, depending upon the requirements of the various stages of the exercise.