SECRET
141
Drait Background Note for Visit of the Assistant Under-Secretary
of State. Mr. Mason, to Hong Kong In June, 1968.
R.A.F. Fighter Presence in Hong Kong
Following the Governor'a meeting with the Chiefs of Staff
on 30 April the Air Force Department of the Ministry of Defence
put in hand a study on the feasibility of a small Air Defence
Force in Hong Kong and have produced a paper on the subject which
is being submitted the Chiefs of Staff within the next two weeks.
The following is a summary of the conclusions in this paper:
1) If political considersations so dictate, a small force
of five 7.A.F. Hunters could be provided for Hong Kong from 1970
omvards.
2)
e)
The aircraft should be flown by regular R‚A.F. pilots.
A small element of R.A.F. technical personnel, mainly in
the supervisory grades, would be required to effect liaison at the
higher levels, to ensure that R.A.F. standards of technical
practice were maintained and to be responsible for correct techni-
cal documentation.
4) The aircraft and aircrews would remain the direct respon-
sibility of the R.A.F, and the Unit would come in the operational
control of the senior R.A.F. Officer, Hong Kong.
5) The Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Corporation should
undertake most of the servicing although civilian/auxiliary air
force tradesmen could undertake the first line servicing tasks.
6) The Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force should be used to assist
in carrying out essential support services by augmenting regular
station} staff and by taking a larger and more direct part in
the Unit's operation at weekends should the occasion arise.
7) A title which identifies the Unit with the Colony should
be chosen (e.g. 209 Squadron or the "Hong Kong Air Defence Force").
The Commander, Far East Air Force, should be invited to
8)
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