SECRET
Category AC: no unclassified reply or reference
SECRET
From:
CINCFE
To:
MOD UK
Info:
MOD Air
CBF Hong Kong
COMFEF
42
Mm. Center M.. Hewitt
PER
Run 318
310326Z August
Date: 31.8.67
Recd: 0516Z
1/4/9.
HQFARELF
HQFEAF
1.
WARNING
PARAPHRASE NOT REQUIRED
NO UNCLASSIFIED REPLY OR REFERENCE
RTT/SEACOS 139
For CDS from CINCFE.
Reference: RTT/251517Z Aug/COSSEA 89 (NOT AL).
6077
I have decided to send six Whirlwinds in HMS TRIUMPH arriving Hong Kong
FEAF 29 September to maintain a platoon lift of four helicopters on line. assess that they could provide the 50 support personnel from within their resources for about three months,
2. Detachment to Hong Kong will effectively reduce FEAF's available Whirlwind force by one third. We have not considered RN helicopters available for joint training in this area, except as a possible bonus, until the end of the Aden operation.
3. We have reviewed helicopter participation in joint exercises and estimate that by rescheduling and allocating a higher but less economical Belvedere effort than currently planned, support for Battalion scale exercises can be met until end of the year. At this stage there is a possibility that Whirlwind support for the Brigade scale exercise planned for November at Kota Belud may not be available unless we use TLO Whirlwinds from Kuching. The type of shipping available prohibits substitution of the Belvedere. the Whirlwinds remain in Hong Kong after December, we will need to reduce planned helicopter participation in the five separate Battalion and one Brigade scale exercises planned during period January to March 1968.
If
4. Next three months are therefore not critical but if we find it necessary to maintain the detachment into 1968 we will review training requirement at that time.
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