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THE ARMED SERVICES AND AUXILIARY SERVICES
come under the Commander British Forces and the appropriate Service commanders if called out.
The Royal Hong Kong Regiment is a light reconnaissance regiment which operates in support of the British Armed Forces in Hong Kong in both internal security and reconnaissance roles. It numbers approximately 700 volunteers. The regiment consists of four reconnaissance squadrons, a headquarters squadron and a home guard squadron. There is also a junior leaders squadron of some 135 boys between the ages of 14 and 17.
On average, volunteers train for two evenings and one weekend a month, with a 15-day annual camp. Whenever possible volunteers are attached to regular battalions for overseas training. In 1976 the regiment was called out to assist in fighting hill fires over the Chinese New Year.
The Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force is based near the civil airport. It operates a fleet of five aircraft-a twin-engined Britten-Norman Islander, a Beechcraft Musketeer light aircraft and three Alouette Mark III helicopters-and has an establishment of 111 volunteers and 54 permanent staff.
The unit is the only remaining operational auxiliary air force squadron in the Commonwealth and its main role is internal security. It also operates as a com- munication squadron and carries out medical evacuation flights, search and rescue operations, aerial surveys, a flying doctor service, surveillance flights to hinder illegal activities, training of air traffic controllers of the Civil Aviation Department to private pilot's standard, and the conveyance of government officers to outlying areas. On mercy flights, more than 150 casualties were carried to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for treatment during the year. The unit works seven days a week and can operate round the clock in an emergency.
Essential Services Corps
The Essential Services Corps comprises the Civil Aid Services and the Auxiliary Medical Service, which are autonomous services, and units of the Essential Services Corps itself. The corps as a standing body was disbanded on April 1 with the exception of a small number of specialist units which might be required at very short notice. However, all the 70 units in the Essential Services Corps could be mobilised at relatively short notice to help maintain public utilities and other essential services if the security of Hong Kong or the welfare of the population were in danger.
Civil Aid Services
The Civil Aid Services is a government-sponsored organisation consisting of disciplined and uniformed volunteers who are trained to assist the regular emergency services in dealing with natural disasters and other emergencies.
Volunteers are trained to handle casualties, to conduct both light and heavy search and rescue operations if people are trapped in landslips or collapsed buildings, and to give assistance to people lost or injured in the mountains. Their duties include