AIR POWER

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 265, 7 August 1942, Page 4

AIR POWER

Maintenance Work On Aerodromes SPECIAL SQUADRONS FORMED An important in the accelerated expansion 1 programme of the Roval New Zealand Air Force has been the recent establishment of works maintenance squadrons and flights, or “works units,” which are now undertaking the aerodrome maintenance work previously carried out by the Public Works Department. Announcing this yesterday, the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones, said the policy was designed to co-ordinate under Air Force control all activities in connexion with aerodrome maintenance, thus removing a difficulty which would arise ih the event of attacks on New Zealand air bases. “Repair work in such circumstances, which requires careful organization and training, will thus be carried out by R.N.Z.A.F. personnel, instead of civilian employees of the Public Works Department,” said Mr. Jones. "The Public Works Department will, however, remain responsible for aerodrome c construction. Included in the personnel of the works units are many Public Works employees who have been mobilized in the R.N.Z.A.F., commissions being granted to engineer aud_ technical officers of the department. “The importance of aerodrome maintenance is perhaps not generally realized, but it can be said that the success of an Air Force depends very largely on its ground facilities. Modern high-speed aircraft require long, smooth runways for taking off and landing, and' these runways must be capable of sustaining heavy loads and remaining in good condition under heavy flying traffic and bad weather conditions. It is essential that they should be kept in first-class order, and, in the event of a bombing attack, repair gangs must be on the spot to fill in bomb craters and make good other damagg with the utmost speed and efficiency. If this is not done, operational activities may be impaired, with a consequent weakening of New Zealand’s air defence or striking power. “Planning for air defence or air offence must necessarily provide for such contingencies, and for this reason considerable importance is attached to the establishment of the aerodrome maintenance units. The entry of Japan into the war and the outbreak of hostilities in the Pacific, has, of course, given new impetus to the air expansion plan in the Dominion, and extensive reorganization has taken place in many directions other than the creation of new bomber, fighter and reconnaissance squadrons. Developments in aerodrome construction and maintenance are among the must important departures in the air defence of New Zealand.”