CONFIDENTIAL
2
MILITARY AID TO THE CIVIL POWER
4.
the
Should circumstances require it, Governor will call for military aid. Before this stage is reached, CP will normally consult the Commander British Forces (CBF) So that the Armed Forces can be brought to a
state of higher readiness. At an appropriate stage, the Armed Forces would step-up security for their own establishments and deploy guards to certain other installations. Once the Governor has authorised Military assistance to the civil power (the Police), the Armed Forces would render maximum support to the Police in their joint purpose of restoring law and order as soon as possible. Provided the situation did not deteriorate beyond the control of the Police, the Army's role would probably be to undertake low profile tasks in support of the Police such
cordon and search, thereby releasing Police personnel for more sensitive tasks such as crowd and riot control. The bulk of the Army would be maintained in reserve but able to deploy quickly to critical points as directed by CBF in consultation with CP. If the situation required it, the Armed Forces could be employed on the full range of internal security duties.
COMMAND AND CONTROL
5.
Once it seemed likely that military assistance may be called for, the Police and the Army would establish joint operational headquarters Command and Control Centres at territorial and regional level.
Actual command and control of operations of the Security Forces would be vested in their respective Police and Military Commanders using their normal chain of command, but co-ordinating their operations from the joint headquarters. At the highest level, Headquarters Command and Control Centre would be responsible for disseminating directives emanating from GSC, CP and CBF and for monitoring the situation and making reports to SCC and GSECC.
The Joint Air Tasking Cell (JATC), currently located in HMS TAMAR, is an integral part of the Security Forces' internal security response. When deemed necessary, a JATC liaison officer is posted to HQCCC. In normal times it is responsible for tasking those Royal Air Force and Army Air Corps aircraft allocated to it. If the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force (RHKAAF) were to be called out, or if directed by the Secretary for Security, JATC would assume responsibility for tasking
aircraft as well.
RHKAAF
CONFIDENTIAL
A