THE ARMED SERVICES AND AUXILIARY SERVICES
237
to illuminate the area, assisting in the capture of the speedboat and occupants by surface vessels. The flying is demanding and involves considerable time on stand-by at night, waiting for call out.
During the year, one helicopter was available for search and rescue duties throughout the normal working day and, on a rotational basis with the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force, one helicopter was on permanent stand-by for territory-wide aeromedical evacua- tion. During the dry season, the RAF provided assistance in fighting fires in areas inaccessible to normal fire appliances: the Wessex can carry a suspended bucket containing 1 000 kilograms of water for release over the fire.
In addition to its operational tasks, No. 28 (AC) Squadron provides training and support for the Royal Hong Kong Police Force and has assisted with a number of community projects including the removal of abandoned vehicles from remote areas, transporting young people to camps in the New Territories on government sponsored holidays, and the provision of air experience flights for a large proportion of the Air Scouts and Air Cadet Corps of Hong Kong.
Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers)
The Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers) is a light reconnaissance regiment made up of part-time volunteers with nine regular army officers and non-commissioned officers on loan from the British Army. Its role, though primarily one of internal security, also includes reconnaissance, anti-illegal immigrant operations and assistance to other government departments in the event of natural disasters. It is administered and financed by the Hong Kong Government, but if called out it is commanded by the Commander British Forces.
The regiment was expanded in 1984 and has an establishment of 946 volunteers who come from all walks of life and are of many nationalities. They form four reconnaissance squadrons, a home guard squadron and a headquarters squadron. In addition, a women's troop was established in 1983 and expanded to 52 members in 1984 to provide supporting services in internal security and anti-illegal immigrant operations as searchers and interpreters. There is also a junior leaders' corps of 300 boys, aged from 14 to 17, trained in youth activities and leadership. Among many youth activities geared to the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, a junior leaders' band was formed in 1984 to give performances at youth functions. The response to recruiting campaigns remains en- thusiastic, allowing a highly selective intake: 82 recruits, including 31 female members, completed the six-month training and passed out in May as a result of a successful campaign the previous year with over 1 400 applications.
The training commitment is two evenings and one weekend each month as well as regimental camps and exercises and centrally organised regimental training. The regimental camp, the highlight of the year's training, takes place over eight days in April and October. For the October camp, the regiment is deployed on the border to relieve a regular battalion of its anti-illegal immigration duties. In 1984, three officer cadets attended a two-week training course at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, while nine volunteer officers and 12 non-commissioned officers were attached to other military establishments in the United Kingdom and also West Germany for training.
Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force
The Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force, based at Hong Kong International Airport, provides a variety of flying services for the government. It operates a fleet of seven aircraft: