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important to note that the infantry battalions that remain can only operate effectively if they have the proper level of combat support
and combat service support; notably engineers, communications, transport, medical, supply and maintenance assets.
The
81. The Royal Hong Kong Regiment (Volunteers) (RHKR(V)). RHKR (V)'s priority operational role is the protection of KPS under the operational control of HQ BFHK. Whilst its future is a matter for the HKG, the uncertainty of the APF expansion plan indicates that it would be wise to retain the Regiment until the APF is capable of guarding
all of the Territory's KPS. The Regiment is a popular territorial unit and traditionally has always been very well recruited. If the
RHKR (V) is disbanded before the APF can guard all KPS satisfactorily,
the BFHK Concept of Operations will have to be altered to provide for a greater commitment of regular troops to KP guard tasks, thus greatly
reducing the flexibility inherent
in retaining the Army as an
uncommitted reserve. As long as the RHKR (V) is in existance it will
be an invaluable component of BFHK. Its future should be reconsidered
during the 1993 Review in the light of the progress of the AFP expansion. So long as retention, recruitment, fibre and morale remain intact, the RHKR (V) could be retained until the later years, and then
disbanded with the dignity its sterling service in Hong Kong will have
warranted.
Command and Control.
82.
Currently, command and control of all land forces is exercised
through HQ 48 Gurkha Infantry Brigade, which commands the manoeuvre
formation; and HQ Support Troops which commands some of the combat
support and all of the service support units. Following the withdrawal of the first battalion there will be little scope for the
rationalisation of command and control of the land forces because HQ
48 Brigade will still command 4 major units (three battalions and the
Queen's Gurkha Engineers), and at that point there will have been
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