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C.
The Relationship Between Aircraft Establishment (AE) and Unit Establishment (UE). The study should review the following considerations:
(1) AE. The initial reduction to 6 helicopters of each type would probably be against normal peacetime flying rates (250 hours per month for the Wessex fleet and 340 hours for Scouts) and so these airframes would be fully established along with a normal UE. Subject to the flying task, there may be scope for taking advantage of the 'AE + IUR' concept. Both the Wessex and Scout may be surplus to Service requirements elsewhere by the mid-1990s, and so airframes could be held in Hong Kong, both against an IS requirement and as attrition reserves. As the flying task reduces it may be possible to move from 6 AE of each type to 4 AE + 2 IURS. Such a level could probably support a monthly flying task of over 100 hours for each type as well as ensuring the necessary airframes for a simultaneous platoon lift in an IS situation.
(2)
However,
UE. The UE would logically be directly related to the flying task and the ratio of AE to IUR. although reinforcements could be flown-in to enable intensive rates to be flown during an IS situation, they would lack experience of local conditions;
it would therefore be sensible to retain sufficient air and ground crew in theatre to respond to a no-notice
IS emergency.
It is assessed that the aircrews should not drop below 6 on each aircraft type; ground crew UE will require more study because of the possibility of 'dual qualifying' certain tradesmen should the two units amalgamate at some point into a joint RAF/AAC
Sqn.
F2
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COS S/185 (2)
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