15
The Armed Services and Auxiliary Services
THE British Armed Forces are stationed in Hong Kong to assist the Hong Kong Government in maintaining security and stability in the Colony. All three Services are represented and are under the command of the Commander British Forces, who is responsible to the Chief of the Defence Staff in London. The Commander British Forces is the Governor's adviser on matters affecting the Colony's security.
Army units predominate in Hong Kong, and are under the direct command of the Commander British Forces, who has the additional appointment of General Officer Commanding, Land Forces. Royal Navy ships in Hong Kong are under the direct operational control of the Commodore-in-Charge, Hong Kong (who has his head- quarters in HMS Tamar). The Commander Royal Air Force controls the RAF station at Kai Tak and associated units including No. 28 Squadron equipped with Whirlwind helicopters.
With the Naval withdrawal from Singapore, HMS Tamar's role as the one remaining Naval Shore Establishment in the Far East has become even more important. It provides essential services to the 6th Mine Countermeasures Squadron, the duty guardship which is usually a frigate, to all the RN ships stationed in the Far East and to Commonwealth Navies visiting Hong Kong for maintenance and recreation. During the year, HM Ships Bossington, Hubberston and Maxton of the 6th Mine Countermeasures Squadron stationed in Hong Kong were replaced by the Beachampton and Yarnton. Major warships which visited the Colony in 1971 included the Assault Ship HMS Intrepid; the Aircraft Carrier HMS Eagle, the Commando Ship HMS Albion, and the Guided Missile Destroyer HMS Glamorgan.
HMS Tamar recruits and trains Chinese cooks and stewards who serve on the larger ships, as well as employing Chinese Naval Ratings for service in HMS Tamar itself. The Shore Establishment is also the agency for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service and operates a licensed crew department for the recruitment of Hong Kong Chinese seamen for service in Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels throughout the world.
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