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heli pter support to the RHKP, there is a continuing need for the
Army Air Corps (AAC) helicopters to carry out command and control,
liaison, surveillance and photo reconnaissance in support of BFHK
until 1997. An operational analysis1 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.
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,
with any increases in Brunei probably being offset by compensating
reductions in Hong Kong.
LOCALLY ENLISTED PERSONNEL (LEP)
23. LEP manning has held up well; however, the runout rate is
increasing and RN LEP recruiting is now proving difficult, which may
affect BFHK's ability to operate the RN patrol craft into 1997. 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
15
HK 10011 E4 J3 Ops, dated 18 December 1992.
13
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