DRAFT
SECRET UK EYES A
25. Scout. An operational analysis of the Scout helicopter force
levels required to satisfy the BFHK concept of operations concluded
that a minimum force of 4 AE and 1 IUR aircraft was required to carry
out the tasks of command and control, liaison, surveillance and photo
reconnaissance. Consequently, a reduction of 2 AE and 1 IUR aircraft
can take place with immediate effect and is already planned to happen
in FY 93/94. A penalty of this reduction will be that 660 Squadron
AAC will be unable to support the Brunei flight from 30 March 1994,
and alternative arrangements for the manning of, and administrative
support to, this flight will be required. As this flight will be
required to be operational in support of the British Garrison Brunei
until at least 1998 it should be accorded independent flight status.
LOCALLY ENLISTED PERSONNEL (LEP)
26. LEP manning is generally holding up well; however, the runout
rate is increasing and RN LEP recruiting is now proving difficult.
The overall trend, already evident with the RN LEP, is towards an
increase in the gapping of posts. There is concern that this process
might gather pace dramatically at any time, and a financial retention
incentive based on payment of an individual's gratuity during his
service has been proposed1. A decision on this proposal will be made
in due course by the Office of Management and Budgets (OMB), in
consultation with HM Treasury. This relatively low cost option would
14
HQBF HK 20780 J1
dated January 1993.
17
SECRET UK EYES A
DRAFT
Page 90Page 91