THE ARMED SERVICES AND AUXILIARY SERVICES
173
handling of military aircraft passing Kai Tak, and in the provost and security services (RAF) at Blackdown Barracks in San Po Kong.
Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers)
The Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers) is a light reconnaissance regiment which operates in support of the British Army in Hong Kong, in both internal security and reconnaissance roles.
The regiment has more than 700 volunteers and is organised into four reconnaissance squadrons, a home guard squadron and a headquarters' squadron. There is also a junior leaders' squadron of 135 boys between the ages of 14 and 17 who are trained in youth activities and leadership.
The year, 1979, was a demanding one for The Volunteers. Owing to the increased number of illegal immigrants from China attempting to enter Hong Kong, the regiment was asked to assist the British Army in its operations. In June, this involvement increased when the regiment was placed on a limited call out for active service under the Royal Hong Kong Regiment Ordinance. Volunteer soldiers participated in border patrols and acted as guides and interpreters for the regular forces during the year. The regiment performed in a pro- fessional manner and was praised for its enthusiasm, military efficiency and approach. Employers acted in a co-operative and public-spirited way by releasing the volunteer soldiers for these duties.
During 1979, the Royal Hong Kong Regiment also commemorated its 125th anniversary, and many celebrations were held to mark the occasion.
The regiment continues to have a large number of people waiting to enlist. The training commitment is one weekend, plus either two evenings or one Saturday afternoon each month, and two one-week camps each year. Selected volunteers attend Regular Army courses in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and elsewhere.
Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force
The Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force, based at its headquarters near the main runway at Kai Tak Airport, has an establishment of 116 volunteers and 59 permanent staff. This enables it to operate seven days a week and round the clock during an emergency. It operates seven aircraft: a twin-engined Britten-Norman Islander, a new twin-engined Cessna Titan, two Scottish Aviation Bulldog trainers and three Alouette III heli- copters.
The main role of the unit is internal security but it provides other flying services. The Britten-Norman Islander and the Cessna Titan are used to assist the Public Works Depart- ment in aerial surveys and photography for map making and development planning. In addition, they conduct surveillance flights over Hong Kong waters in support of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force and assist with search and rescue operations.
During the year, the auxiliary air force was involved in anti-illegal immigrant and Vietnamese refugee operations. Regular long-range flights over the South China Sea were undertaken to spot craft carrying Vietnamese refugees, and the unit supported operations mounted to curb the flow of illegal immigrants from China.
The auxiliary air force's three Alouette III helicopters, among other tasks, provide a 24-hour medical evacuation service from Hong Kong's remote areas and are used to convey people on official visits to the territory's more inaccessible parts. The Bulldog aircraft provide basic and advanced flight training for both auxiliary pilots and Civil Aviation Department air traffic controllers.