THE ARMED SERVICES
Royal Air Force
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The main element of the Royal Air Force in Hong Kong is based at Sek Kong in the New Territories. The No. 28 (Army Co-operation) Squadron operates eight Wessex helicopters from Sek Kong airfield supported by engineering and administrative squadrons. Included in the supporting element is an Air Traffic Control Unit, through which the Commander Royal Air Force exercises responsibility for the air space in the Sek Kong sector. Advisory control service outside Hong Kong International Airport is also provided. Movement of military personnel and cargo by air from Hong Kong International Airport is controlled by the RAF Airport Unit based at Kai Tak, and includes the handling of over 200 RAF transport aircrafts movements a year. An RAF Provost and Security Services Unit is located at Blackdown Barracks, San Po Kong. Additionally, RAF personnel serve on the staff of Headquarters British Forces, in the Joint Air Tasking Cell, and in the Joint Services Movements Centre.
The Wessex helicopters are employed in direct support of the Army and can each carry up to 14 troops or 1 400 kilograms of freight anywhere within Hong Kong. The helicopter is the only practicable way of moving troops, rations and equipment quickly to outlying areas, and its speed and flexibility have been significant factors in the success of the security forces' operations. Roles include troop deployment, logistic air support, casualty evac- uation, search and rescue, air observation and fire fighting. Wessex aircraft_contribute to military and police anti-illegal immigrant operations, sometimes using a 65-million candlepower 'Nightsun' searchlight to illuminate sea or land areas.
Although the primary responsibility for search and rescue duties lies with the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force, one Royal Air Force helicopter is available throughout the normal working day for such duties and this is sometimes used to carry out longer- range search and rescue missions. In addition, one helicopter is often placed on stand-by for territory-wide aeromedical evacuation. During the dry season, the Royal Air Force pro- vides 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. No. 28 (AC) Squadron regularly provides training and support to the police, including the tactical deployment of personnel on operations and rapid reinforcement in emergency. It has also assisted in a number of community projects, including transporting young people to camps in the New Territories on government sponsored schemes, and the provision of air experience flights for a large number of Air Scouts and members of the Air Cadet Corps of Hong Kong.
Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers)
The Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers) is a light reconnaissance regiment of part-time volunteers. Its role, though primarily one of internal security, includes recon- naissance, anti-illegal immigration operations and assistance to other government depart- ments 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 and forms part of 48 Gurkha Infantry Brigade.
The regiment has an establishment of 946 volunteers and 54 permanent staff, including nine regular soldiers, one of whom is the Commanding Officer, on loan from the British Army. The volunteers come from all walks of life and are of various nationalities, although over 97 per cent are Chinese.
The regiment is composed of four reconnaissance squadrons, a home guard squadron and a headquarters squadron.