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h.
j.
k.
The provision of reception arrangements for evacuees.
Obtaining diplomatic clearances.
Arrangements for provision of aircraft fuel.
1. A check and update of maps and air charts.
44. Royal Navy. HM Ships and their supporting RFAS when in harbour are at 24 hours or less notice for sea, although additional time may be required to prepare ships for certain deployments. During maintenance and peak demand periods this notice is sometimes extended to 48 hours or more. The RM Commandos, when not embarked, are at normal notice (7 days), unless nominated as SPEARHEAD Group (see para 45), in which case they would be at 72 hours notice with leading elements at 24 hours notice. Associated helicopter squadrons are at 7 days notice to embark. The limiting factor in the use of HM Ships is their passage time to the country concerned. Conversely, once HM Ships are in position, it is possible to initiate SAE from a country with a coastline at very short notice, as soon as political decisions are made. It may be possible to advance the arrival time by ships being sailed in anticipation, or by diverting ships already at sea. An estimate of expected passage times to each country is given in the relevant Part 2 plan.
45. Army. Units of the United Kingdom Land Forces (UKLF) in the UK are at normal notice to move (NTM) of 7 days with the following exceptions:
a.
SPEARHEAD Group. The SPEARHEAD Group is at the following of notice to emplane (NTE):
(1) Leading Element
(2) Main Body 1
(3) Main Body 2
-
24 hours NTE.
-
72 hours NTE.
7 days NTE.
b.
46.
Leading Parachute Battalion Group (LPBG). The LPBG is at 5 days NTE.
Royal Air Force.
a. One VC10 and six Hercules are normally maintained at 24 hours notice to deploy leading elements of the SPEARHEAD Group.
Sufficient additional aircraft from the ATF, together with supporting elements, could normally be available within 72 hours for employment in an SAE.
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