Air Force Exercise

Forty-two personnel from the R.N.Z.A.F. Station, Wigram, spent a week under canvas at Nelson Airport earlier this month during "Exercise Red Owl", an exercise for Air Force student pilots. Six Harvard and a Devon aircraft were used in the exercise which was designed to simulate operations in the field. The insignia of the squadron, a big owl showing a little owl the way, came in for quite a bit of banter at the camp, and the technical wing of the squadron, through Cpl Peter Rhind, drew its version of the insignia (above). At top left, the squadron flag and insignia are well displayed.

Commanding officer of the squadron, Squadron Leader John Terry (New Plymouth), discusses the day's flying with his 21C, Squadron Leader Stephen Gillingham (Gisborne).

Returning from a flight, Flight Lieutenant Bryan Lockie (Auckland) has a word with student, Acting Pilot Officer Peter Cochran (Bay of Islands).

The squadron was fortunate with its weather. Fine, sunny days followed a series of hard frosts and the camp was a cold place in the mornings.

No batmen here. Flight Lieutenants Roger Holdaway (Cambridge), Doug Lloyd (Blenheim) and Lyn Davidge (Bulls) wash up after lunch.

Aircraftsman Paul Newbury-Johnson (Dunedin) helps serve up dinner to ex-Nelsonian Flt/Lt Renato De Lorenzo, Flt/Lt Graham Lloyd (Blenheim), and Acting P/0 Ian Ambler (Ngapara).

"An Air Force flies on its...." And making sure the squadron stays happy are A/C Newbury-Johnson and chef, LAC Norman Martin (Christchurch). What was for tea? Pork chow mein.

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The Nelson Photo News

No 105 : July 26, 1969

Air Force Exercise