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Sunday, November 19, 1972
EXPANDING ROLE OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE
Hong Kong'a uniqueness is given added dimension by the Royal Hong
Kong Auxiliary Air Force which stands as possibly the world's only unarmed
air force.
Operating a fleet of six serving aircraft a new twin-engined
-
Islander, two light aircraft and three helicopters the force performs a variety
of tasks ranging from emergency operations to goodwill missions.
It operates, among other things, a "flying doctor" and "flying dentist"
helicopter service for outlying village communities in the more inaccessiable
parts of the New Territories.
The force plays a vital role in casualty evacuations and search-and-rescue
operations in and around Hong Kong. These include the lifting of seriously ill
patients to hospitals from remote islands, and dawti searches for lost or injured
hikers and climbers.
Its helicopter service is always available to various government
departments.
The police, in particular, engage the helicopters for a variety of
tasks including air-lifting of patrols in the New Territories, traffic survey,
and surveillance of suspected illegal activities such as narcotic smuggling.
The spearhead of the force is the twin-engined Islander,. its latest
acquisition.
/The aircraft