f.
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SECRET UK EYES A
Embarked Reserve Force.
The presence of a NTF
NTF would
provide the option of deploying an embarked force, which could
provide an immediate reserve for operations ashore if required.
g.
Presentational Aspects.
The Governor has stated his
requirement for the final withdrawal to be conducted with all due
ceremony. The presence of a NTF, including a RM Band,
superimposed upon the remaining Garrison units, would contribute
significantly to achieving this.
40.
HQBF Hong Kong identified in their 'Last 12 Months' paper1 a
need for the operational tasks carried out currently by the RN patrol
craft and by the AAC Scout and RAF Wessex helicopters to be satisfied
by other means, or by non-Garrison forces, from the end of March 1997:
in order to facilitate the timely disposal or removal of these
Garrison assets. The HQBF Hong Kong paper concludes that a NTF should
be available in the Far East to assist the final withdrawal of the
Garrison. The main conclusions
of this paper accord with the
Ministerial guidance provided in the MOD policy paper 'The Rundown of
the Hong Kong Garrison to 1997 18; and will form a basis for the
development of the detailed plan for the final withdrawal of the
Garrison.
7
17
HK 10011 J3 Ops The Structure Of BFHK In The Last 12 Months, dated 14 January 1993.
18
COSSEC 1042/756.
26
SECRET UK EYES A
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