Wigram Now Has Training Group

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30975, 3 February 1966, Page 7

Wigram Now Has Training Group

The day-to-day operation of air force training throughout New Zealand came under the control of Air Commodore D. F. St. George, recently appointed air officer commanding the new R.N.Z.A.F. training group headquarters at Wigram on Tuesday. The command embraces flying and ground training wings and their sub-units.

Air Commodore St. George has been New Zealand military adviser at S.E.AT.O. headquarters in Bangkok for the last two years. He has been a member of the R.N.Z.A.F. for 26 years. His new command is his first at Wigram. Air Commodore St. George said Wigram had been chosen as headquarters for the training group because most training in New Zealand was done in the South Island, and the necessary accommodation was available there. Wigram would retain its commanding officer and the station would provide the domestic needs

and support for the group. Asked if there were any plans for the replacement of Air Farce training aircraft, particularly Harvards, Air Commodore St. George said there was no reason why Harvards could not continue to be used, except that they were rapidly being overtaken by operational requirements. “We are rapidly becoming an all-jet Air Force and we require jet equipment in our training schools. We are faced with the need for getting something between the Harvard and the operational aircraft The big problem is—where does the money come from? We have priorities and have to spend the money where we get the best results.

“The training organisation is designed to support the operational role and the expense of each is about the same.”