THE ARMED SERVICES
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During 1993, the Royal Navy remained active in operations at sea to counter smuggling and illegal immigration in support of the Royal Hong Kong Police. It was also called upon in its search and rescue role when maritime disasters struck civilian shipping.
The Army comprises the largest element of the garrison, although its numbers will continue to decline as functions are transferred to civil agencies. At present, the Army element consists of one United Kingdom infantry battalion (1st Battalion The Black Watch) and two Gurkha battalions supported by Gurkha engineer, signals and transport regiments. Army units in Hong Kong are completed by an Army Air Corps squadron equipped with Scout helicopters, and a maritime troop (part of the transport regiment) which operates three landing craft. Many of these units will be reduced and, in some cases, disbanded during 1994.
The Royal Air Force is based at Sek Kong in the New Territories, where it operates a squadron of Wessex helicopters.
The Future Size and Shape of the Garrison
Outline plans for the deployment of British forces in Hong Kong up to 1997 were announced by the Ministry of Defence in July. Units of all three services
the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force - will remain in Hong Kong until June 1997. However, the garrison will continue to be reduced in stages over the intervening period as local forces assume responsibility for its former operational tasks.
In the latter part of 1994, the 1st Battalion The Black Watch will return to the UK and the two Gurkha battalions will merge to form the 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles. An infantry battalion will be based in Hong Kong until June 1997. The strength of logistic and other supporting units will be reduced in line with that of front-line units.
The three Royal Navy patrol craft presently in Hong Kong will remain until June 1997. Royal Air Force helicopters will also remain until 1997, although their numbers may be reduced.
Thus, for the final two years of British sovereignty, the garrison will be about 3 000 strong, comprising a headquarters, an infantry battalion group, logistic support, naval patrol craft and Royal Air Force helicopters.
Training and Operations
As the garrison is unique in its makeup, so it is also in its ability to use its blend of troops and skills in a wide range of training and operations. This involves a busy programme throughout the year with combined exercises involving the three services and the Royal Hong Kong Regiment, as well as Five Power Defence Agreement exercises with the armed forces of Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand.
Exercises are held in Hong Kong in locations like Lantau Island and the New Territories, but Hong Kong lacks suitable areas for realistic training with some of the weaponry with which British forces are normally equipped. As a result, some exercises are held overseas in order to maintain a high standard of military skills.
In June 1993, three Wessex helicopters from the RAF's No. 28 Squadron joined aircraft from the Government Flying Service in rescuing 24 crew members of a cargo vessel which sank near Hong Kong at the height of Typhoon Koryn. In August, troops from the Queen's Gurkha Engineers based in Hong Kong travelled to Nepal to assist with disaster relief operations following extensive flooding in that country. Individuals from the garrison