SECRET UK EYES A
LOCSEN
support necessary for the police; they have also stated that options for 4 further machines will be taken out to be exercised by 1992 - should more helicopter support prove necessary. It will take time before these assets become
operational and it should also be recognised that some of
the Garrison's tasks may not be achieveable by the HKGFSD helicopter unit, which is primarily a S&R organisation at this time. Thus the extent to which the HKGFSD might provide effective helicopter support to the Garrison cannot yet be quantified.
26.
-
Wessex Force Level Planning. The planned reduction
of the Wessex force with support from 2 HKGFSD Dauphin helicopters available was limited in order to satisfy an operational requirement to mount a "simultaneous half company helilift". This requires a minimum of 6 Wessex (or similar) helicopters to achieve. On initial examination, it could appear sensible to delay the run down of the Wessex force until about 1990, by which time the HKGFSD should be ready to provide helicopter support to the Garrison. However, 28 Sqn has been unable to fly its authorised flying task during the past year and the task has therefore been reduced. For normal day-to-day tasking in Hong Kong, 6 Wessex is considered an adequate force. If the Wessex force is reduced to 6 AE plus 2 in use reserves (IURS), it is judged that it should always be possible to generate 6 serviceable Wessex when and if a contingency should arise. The Wessex force should therefore be reduced to 6 AE and 2 IUR in 1989, in accordance with the existing CDS 7/87 planning timescale.
27.
-
Scout Planning. The operational requirement for Scout helicopters in Hong Kong as for Wessex helicopters - is based on countering the threat of spontaneous violence,
COS49.6-17
17 LOCSEN UK EYES A
SECRET
-