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Logistic and Other Technical Backing
11.
ENCLOSURE TO COS 1419/7/6/68 (Continued
Because of the length of the supply line and the cost in
terms of air transport resources of re-supply, it would be
advisable to retain an extensive range of spares locally.
12. The storage and servicing of reserve aircraft (sec para 7)
would need to be undertaken by HKAEC. In addition we would have
to make available to them all appropriate test equipment
necessary to the servicing task.
Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force
13. The HKAAF is an organisation consisting of 28 officers
and 62 airmen, assisted by two officers and one SNCO of the
RAF. A detailed description of its establishment and tasks
is at Appendix A.
14. We have considered the possibility of making use of
members of the HKAAF in the day-to-day running of the Unit.
However, because of the voluntary nature of service,
irregularity of week-day attendance and the possible diffi-
culties involving command and discipline, we consider that it
would be unwise to depend on the organisation as a regular
feature in the normal running of the unit.
15.
Nevertheless, the establishment of a unit of this nature
would invariably heighten the general levels of supporting
activity throughout the station. This would normally be
reflected in increases in the station establishment.
However,
it is possible that a profitable function of the HKAAF would
lie in augmenting station support elements such as operations,
air traffic control etc.
16.
Furthermore, it must be presumed that a unit established
as a political deterrent should, as a matter of course, be seen
/to
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