SECRET UK EYES A
current arrangements for reinforcing both the Army and the Air Force in Germany in a period of tension, should continue. However, our specialist reinforcement capability will have to be cut. Our small Amphibious Force of two LPHS and two IPDs
will be halved and the remaining ships will be run on as a
wasting asset. We shall retain the present Marine Commando Group, which is equipped and trained for Arctic warfare and thus
able to reinforce Northern Norway at all times. We shall also
retain one air-portable Army infantry brigade group, instead
of three as at present, which will be available to SACEUR for
reinforcement tasks in either the Central or Northern Regions
of ACE, but not the Southern Region. Tactical helicopter
support has been cut to match the remaining reinforcement forces,
but offensive support aircraft will continue to be available from
the UK to support this force and to reinforce 2 ATAF in Germany.
As I mentioned earlier, we shall continue to make available our
present contribution to the ACE Mobile Force, but regrettably.
we shall be unable to continue to provide a Joint Airborne
Task Force. As a result of all our reductions, we are cutting
the air transport force by half.
propose to rotain. (SHORT PAUSE)
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Here is a summary of what we
Although our specialist
reinforcement forces will be greatly reduced and options for
their use within the Southern Region abandoned, we intend that
they should remain well-equipped and well-trained.
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UK Base
22. As for the United Kingdom itself, we are concerned both
with its direct security and with assuring its use as a base
for operations by US and UK air, maritime and reinforcement
10
SECRET UK EYES A