AIR FORCE EXPANSION

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 November 1939, Page 5

AIR FORCE EXPANSION

DETAILS OF ACTIVITIES

[PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON, November 1

Air Force training in the Dominion is now so thoroughly in operation that Mr. Jones (Minister of Defence) was to-day able to give a number of details regarding the methods of instruction and the use of training centres distributed throughout the country. The whole scheme of instruction is being well co-ordinated towards the end of effectively training air. staffs and ground personnel. “Including the instructional staff, there are over 1700 men engaged in Air Force training. This number is being increased every day because we have no difficulty in securing a good type of recruit," said the Minister.. Weraroa Training Centre is being used for the ground training of observers and air gunners, who afterwards go to the spacious new aerodrome at Ohakea, near Bulls, to finish their training. The wireless personnel is being trained at Christchurch and' armament training is being done at Wigram. The administrative personnel, which is being trained at Christchurch, comprises equipment assistants and other officers who will go to other centres after they become efficient.

New Plymouth is being utilised as a second elementary training school for flying personnel, and the Woodbourne Aerodrome, near Blenheim, is covering the same course as that provided at Wigram. The Minister added that the instructors available are quite adequate for this extended scheme of training, and, everything was working smoothly. The necessary buildings were being pushed on rapidly.