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Kong has been well documented in the Scout Study (6). Since that paper has been produced, monthly flying hours have been reduced from 320 to 210 and it has been accepted that Scout force levels in the Territory should stand at 6 AE and 2 IUR until at least April 1994. There is thus a mismatch with LTC 88 (measure ARR 440) which envisaged a reduction to 4 AE and 2 IUR in 1992/93. This mismatch is being addressed by DMO (7) who has requested RP (Army) to consider issuing an alternative assumption in LTC 91. However, as with the Wessex, task flying hours should be reviewed as the number of units being supported reduces.
b.
For the same reasons given for Wessex force levels, further
reductions could be
could be linked to the withdrawal of the second
battalion. At that point the situation might allow a reduction
in 2 Scout, leaving a residual presence of 4 AE + 2 IUR. This would be the minimum viable force to carry out all the tasks as envisaged in Annex B to CDS 13/89. This further reduction should be validated during the Biennial Review of 1993.
There
Reinforcements.
are no contingency plans to move
additional RAF helicopters to Hong Kong; logistic considerations and the need for rapid deployment to the theatre preclude such a plan. Current reinforcement plans (JTP 30) do however, envisage reinforcement of the Army Air Corps squadron with acclimatised and theatre qualified crew from Brunei, thus allowing the squadron to
thus
conduct sustained operations. Additional Army helicopters, aircrew and supporting personnel may also move to Hong Kong from UK with the reinforcing formation(s), thus providing more aircraft to satisfy the increased requirement for light helicopter support. These reinforcement plans should remain in being.
(6) HK 10011 Encl 4 dated 29 Oct 89.
(7)
D/DMO/63/7 (MO1) dated 4 Oct 90.
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