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LOCAL FORCES AND CIVIL DEFENCE SERVICES
the Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force. Each major unit is fully independent and corresponds direct with Government and with its regular parent Service.
The Hong Kong Royal Naval Reserve mans and operates two inshore minesweepers. These vessels, each of 150 tons, are on loan from the Admiralty, but are operated and maintained at Govern- ment expense. The Royal Naval Reserve comprises some 40 officers and 160 men whose function is to supplement the Royal Navy in minesweeping and the defence of the Colony. Apart from their normal training they have provided invaluable assistance in the combined Police and Services operations to counter illegal im- migration.
The Hong Kong Regiment is a reconnaissance regiment com- prising a regimental headquarters, two Land Rover reconnaissance squadrons, one 'Ferret' armoured car reconnaissance squadron, a mobile infantry company, a home guard company and an intelli- gence platoon. The Regiment is now over 700 strong and is trained in its reconnaissance role with the Regular Army units in the Colony. This year is the first year in which the Regiment has been fully integrated in internal security exercises held by the Police and the Regular Army.
The Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force is equipped with four Auster aircraft and two Westland Widgeon helicopters. During the year intensive training was carried out in the internal security role with the Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force. The helicopters again were kept busy being used extensively by nearly every Government department as well as maintaining regular flying doctor, dental and child health flights to the remote districts of the New Territories, and flying a number of casualty evacuation trips, mainly from Lantau. Considerable success was also achieved with aerial broad- casts for the anti-cholera campaign in the New Territories.
There are also two women's services: the Hong Kong Women's Royal Naval Reserve and the Hong Kong Women's Auxiliary Army Corps.
Volunteer service in Hong Kong began with the formation on 30th May 1854, of the Hong Kong Volunteers. In 1878 they were renamed the Hong Kong Volunteer Corps and in 1917 the Hong Kong Defence Corps. In 1920 the title was again changed to the