TAIERI COMMAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27307, 6 February 1950, Page 4

TAIERI COMMAND

RNZAF STATION KEY APPOINTMENTS OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT The appointment of Squadron Leader Cyril Henry Baigent, D. 5.0., D.F.C. and bar, A.F.C-, of Rotorua, to command the administrative wing at RNZAF Station Taieri, and to act as station commander until the arrival in April of Wing Commander C. A. Turner, 0.8-E., from Melbourne, was announced by Air Force Headquarters at the week-end. Squadron Leader Biagent, who until recently commanded No. 75 (Mosquito) Squadron at Ohakea, is a bomber pilot with a notable career in World War 11, when he served with the Royal Air Force. An old boy of Nelson College and of Victoria University College, he is 27 years of age. He was one of the RNZAF officers who ferried Mosquitoes out from England a few years ago. His appointment dates from February 1 and he will arrive at Taieri this week.

The selection of officers to fill the other key posts at Taieri is not yet completed. The technical wing, which because of the nature of the station will be somewhat smaller than at major RNZAF stations, will be commanded by Flight Lieutenant F. L. Goldsmith, M.8.E., who has been stationed at Taieri for some time in charge of the Wigram deta'chment maintaining RNZAF equipment there. The officer commanding the other wing (training) is Flight Lieutenant L. H. Edwards, of Hawera, who will be posted from Wigram within the next week or so. . ~ , The training wing will be divided

into two squadrons—ground training and flying training. The first-named squadron will be commanded by Flight Lieutenant A- C. G. Baldwin who will be posted from Ohakea. The appointment of an officer commanding the other squadron will be made later. Other administrative appointments to date include Flight Lieutenant V. D. McCarten as senior secretarial officer and Flight Lieutenant L. T. Roberts as equipment officer. At present it is intended to send only a few officers and men to give the station its first start. The staff will then be built up progressively until the begining of May when the station should be at full strength.