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A number of options for management of this force of 8 aircraft are reviewed at
Annex F (to be incorporated in fourth draft). MOD Army's recommended solution
is to retain the Scout Force at its current level of 8 Scout at Unit
Establishment (UE).
29. Wessex and Scout Force Levels Post RHKP Border Take-Over. CDS 7/87
prescribed a minimum availability of a contingency force of 4 Wessex - to con-
duct a simultaneous platoon lift after the assumption by the RHKP of respon-
sibility for the whole border, and the majority of the garrison's tasks, in
about 1993. To guarantee this capability a minimum force of 4 AE and 2 IUR
Wessex was approved. In addition, as a minimum, an operational contingency
force of 4 Scouts was also approved by CDS 7/87 for that period following the
transfer of border responsibility until such time as the garrison reduces to its
minimum Force level after which event a contingency force of 3 Scouts is
prescribed. As indicated previously, the rationale for these force levels is
addressed in greater detail at Annex B. There is no justification for amendment
of this policy direction at this stage, but the future needs will be addressed
by the study discussed in paragraph 31 below.
30. Helicopter Reinforcement Planning. The reduced aircrew availability asso-
ciated with the AE reductions proposed above could limit the ability to operate
the Wessex and Scout helicopters particularly over an extended period in a
contingency situation. To resolve this difficulty, it will be necessary either
to adjust the in-theatre aircrew ratios or to have reserves available in the UK
to be flown out as reinforcements if required; the latter option is likely to be
the more economic and, particularly in the case of the LH, to be the more prac-
ticable solution, given that the likely reinforcing Brigade (5 AB Bde) continues
ROW 113 (HONG)
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