AIR RECONNAISSANCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 13 February 1941, Page 4

AIR RECONNAISSANCE

SQUADRON AT NELSON AERODROME FULL STRENGTH SHORTLY FORMATION OF OMAKA FLIGHT Of the four flights of No. 2 (General Reconnaissance) Squadron, R.N.Z.A.F., which has Its headquarters in Nelson, only two have so far been formed, but the squadron will be brought up to full strength at an early date, said the Officer Commanding, SquadronLeader R. J. Cohen, A.F.C., in an interview to-day. Actually there were only three operational flights to a squadron, explained Squadron-Leader Cohen. The Headquarters Flight, which was made up of technical and non-technical ground staff, workshops and messing personnel, and was responsible for the running of the domestic side of the Squadron, and major aircraft overhauls which could not be undertaken by the operational flights. “A” Flight and Headquarters Flight were both at full strength, and there were at present about 190 men at the Nelson aerodrome. “B” Flight was to be formed at the end of this month and it would be stationed at Omaka, Blenheim. The third operational flight, “C” Flight, would be formed in the near future. “The flight at Omaka will be detaphed from the rest of the squadron and will operate over a different area,” he said. “It is not intended that ‘B’ Flight should be stationed at this aerodrome permanently, and a change will be made every two months. As each flight is a self-contained unit this means that a complete change in the personnel at the station, including officers, will be made.” Squadron-Leader Cohen said that unlike the buildings at the Nelson aerodrome there would be proper barrack blocks at Omaka and that conditions should be very pleasant there. Very good progress appeared to be being made with the constructional work. NELSON AERODROME Paying a tribute to the Nelson aerodrome, Squadron-Leader Cohen said the surface was very fine, but he added that the great advantage Nelson had to offer as an Air Force station was its weather. The incidence of bad weather was so small that it could be ignored. The camp itself, he said, would be very nice when finished. Turfing work had still to be completed and roads sealed, and when that was done in about a month's time the dust nuisance which had been experienced would be cleared up. The Squadron Leader pointed out that reconnaissance duty entailed frequently long and comparatively monotonous flights over the sea, sometimes in good weather, but frequently in bad, and naturally the standard of navigation had to be very high. All pilots and observers underwent a special course of advanced navigation before being posted to an operational squadron. When weather conditions permitted most of the navigation was done by astronomical means The crew of an aircraft usually consisted of one or two pilots, an observer—navigator, and a wireless operator—air gunner. The aircraft were equipped with offensive and defensive armament and also with wireless telegraphy for the purpose of making reports to the sta tioa.