US research lab at Woodbourne?

[camtech]

I can recall an American presence at Woodboune in 1965. Several US aircraft, including C-124 and C-54 arriving. Somewhere I may have some photos, from a distance, of the aircraft.

[sailorsid]

I have a memory from 1962 Boy Entrant of a Globemaster landing at Woodbourne and unloading a container for Longbank. OJ might be able to confirm.

[Dave Homewood]

This is from The Press dated 3 February 1972

ULTIMATUM ON BASE

Date passes unmarked

(N.Z Press Association) BLENHEIM, Feb. 1.

Yesterday was the date for the United States Air Force to withdraw from the R.N.Z.A.F. base at Woodbourne, under terms laid down a year ago by demonstrators outside the base. However, no demonstrators showed up at the base yesterday or today to demand compliance "with the “lease” set out in a letter to the unit commander.

The organisers of last year’s demonstration at Woodbourne announced about three weeks ago that this year it was proposed to demonstrate against the presence of U.S.A.F. staff at the satellite tracking station at Tekapo and the detachment headquarters at Washdyke. This is planned for March 11 and 12.

[Dave Homewood]

U.S.A.F. to leave Woodbourne

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 23.

The United States Air Force will close the research installation at the R.N.Z.A.F. Station, Woodbourne, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, (Sir Keith Holyoake) said today.

“The United States authorities have informed me that budgetary considerations have made it necessary to discontinue this project,” Sir Keith Holyoake said. Although the project had no fixed duration, he said, the agreement governing it had specified an initial term of 10 years with provision for termination thereafter on six months notice by either side.

“The agreement was signed on May 15, 1963, and operations will be suspended to coincide with the initial term of the agreement,”- the Minister said.

“The programme of research being undertaken at Woodbourne into aerospace disturbances and their effect on radio communications has proved to be a valuable scientific exercise of benefit to both partners.” At present at Longbank, Woodbourne, are 28 members of the U.S.A.F. They have 60 dependants, most living in Blenheim.

Twice in recent years protests have been lodged against the presence of the U.S.A.F. at Woodbourne.


PRESS, 24 AUGUST 1972

[Dave Homewood]

U.S. BASE CLOSES

Keys given back

(Press Association) BLENHEIM.

The United States Air Force on Tuesday ended its tenure of the Longbank base, a group of buildings on one the Royal New Zealand Air Force base, Woodbourne. At a gathering in the empty building of the commander, Colonel H. L. Bain three of his remaining staff of four, Wing Commander I.V. Mackay, the R.N.Z.A.F. base commander and the Accountant, Flight Lieutenant R. Tennent, the keys were handed over to the RNZAF.

The U.S.A.F. has been at Woodbourne for 10 years, and seven years ago the three block buildings that equipment for aerospace research were erected. Since then, the buildings and the unit have been the for some demonstrations.

Wing Commander Mackay, in accepting the keys, said: "We are sorry to see you leave the place.”

As yet he does not know what use the buildings will be put to. Colonel Bain and three of his sergeants and their families will leave Blenheim at the end of this week. The fourth will leave at the end the month.

PRESS, 17 MAY 1973

[davemh]

I was at Woodbourne early 60's, at SRS, (on the side of SAFE Hangar). USAF also had a 'caravan and Antennae system down past Riverlands near the sea/river, as well as a base in the hangar alongside the Control Tower. I was Ground Radio NCO and we were given a tour of the new building over the other side of the airfield before the equipment was fitted. We were also given an interesting lecture by a visiting bofin from the US about time, space and distance. Lots of maths and formulae.
After they moved to their new building, I was offered the use of two underground antennae terminating in the hangar. I did some tests on them and decided they were of no use to the RNZAF in the foreseeable future. The Riverlands outfit disappeared too.
The late Mark Gallagher also in SRS, did regular servicing on some of their equipment along with Pat G and Garry ?.
Not a big deal. Nice guys.
Missed the protests at Woodbournne, but was at the 'battle of Weedons'.

[tbf2504]

the underground antennae were for a VLF transmitter system used to communicate with submarines as at those frequencies the range in seawater was very long. Part of the US experimental sub-surface communications programme