THE ARMED SERVICES AND AUXILIARY SERVICES
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consists of both operational and administrative units, located in Kowloon and on Hong Kong Island.
The Royal Air Force Station, Kai Tak, is a separate enclave, alongside the civil airport but it makes use of the airport's runway and control facilities. The RAF has its own radar and signal facili- ties for long distance control of military aircraft approaching the Colony. These facilities are shared by the Director of Civil Aviation to help ensure the safety of civil aircraft operating within Hong Kong's flight information region. Detachments of RAF helicopters or aircraft were temporarily stationed in Hong Kong throughout the year and many RAF transport aircraft used the station. Most servicemen and their families travelled to and from Hong Kong in the newly introduced RAF VC 10 service.
During the disturbances in the Colony throughout the middle of the year (dealt with at length in Chapter 1), all three services gave valuable assistance to the Hong Kong Government. There was close co-operation with the police through jointly manned police and military operations centres. Troops were kept in a state of readiness over extended periods, and the army frequently helped police by supplying cordons and patrols in urban areas. As a result of tension on the border, the army reinforced police in maintaining security there. Demolition teams from the army and navy played a major part in dealing with the spate of bombs in the Colony, and they suffered several casualties. Army, RAF and HKAAF helicop- ters gave continuous support to the police and military. On one occasion helicopters from HMS Hermes, then visiting Hong Kong, were used in a raid on communist premises in North Point.
In addition to the close co-operation between the services and government, the year was characterized by a greater liaison between the services and the general public. Open days were held by several units. During the summer holidays the army also ran outdoor 'adventure' camps which were attended by nearly 2,000 boys.
LOCAL AUXILIARY DEFENCE SERVICES
The local auxiliary defence services, the Royal Hong Kong Defence Force and the Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force (dealt with in Chapter 10) have a total strength of about 3,000 volunteers.