XN000022-1986-03-13 — Page 4

THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1986

3

SIR DAVID VISITS RHKAAF HEADQUARTERS

*****

BOARDED A. THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, HELICOPTER AT HMS TAMAR THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON AND FLEW TO KAI TAK AIRPORT FOR A VISIT TO THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE COMMANDING OFFICER, WING COMMANDER ALISTAIR ASPREY, SIR DAVID TOURED THE HANGAR AND WORKSHOPS AND INSPECTED THE RHKAAF'S FLEET OF FOUR FIXED WING AIRCRAFT AND THREE DAUPHIN HELICOPTERS.

HE ALSO VISITED THE OPERATIONS CENTRE AND LEARNED THAT THE RHKAAF, ESTABLISHED IN 1949, EVOLVED FROM A CONVENTIONAL AUXILIARY AIR FORCE ADMINISTERED BY THE ROYAL AIR FORCE TO A FULLY INDEPENDENT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT WITH DIVERSE ROLES.

LAST YEAR, THE FORCE CARRIED OUT 360 EMERGENCY MISSIONS INCLUDING SEARCH AND RESCUE, CASUALTY EVACUATION, AND AIRBORNE FIRE-FIGHTING. OTHER REGULAR ACTIVITIES OF THE FORCE INCLUDE AERIAL SURVEY AND COMMUNICATION FLIGHTS.

APART FROM FLYING COMMITMENTS, THE FORCE PROVIDES FLYING AND OTHER SPECIALISED TRAINING FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL OFFICERS OF THE THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT.

SIR DAVID THEN TOURED THE TRAINING CENTRE FOR A VIDEO AND PICTORIAL PRESENTATION OF THE RANGE OF THE FORCE FLYING AND OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

BEFORE LEAVING, SIR DAVID HAD AN INFORMAL MEETING AND DISCUSSION WITH THE STAFF.

/4