USP set-up brings joy to ex-pilot

Former Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) pilot 78-year-old Peter Foster yesterday said he was happy to see the University of the South Pacific (USP) at the former RNZAF base in Laucala.

The institution, he said, changed the landscape of whole area. Mr Foster, whose three daughters all graduated with PhDs, said he fully supported the setting up of the USP because it produced the bulk of the region’s leaders. The RNZAF pilot, who was based at Laucala from 1960-1963, rose through the ranks and retired as a Group Captain. Mr Foster said their main task was maritime surveillance throughout the Pacific Islands.

In 1963 when Queen Elizabeth II visited Fiji he provided aerial escort of the Royal Yacht Britannia out of Suva Harbour.

He said he had a good time in Fiji and their tasks included mercy flights, providing transport to Government and search and rescue operations.

Mr Foster played for the Flying Cats rugby club and was a flanker or a prop forward. Yesterday he shared his experiences with Savelilo Raura, a former Fiji Military Forces soldier.