XN000022-1992-05-22 — Page 2

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 1992

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GOVT FLYING SERVICE TO BE SET UP

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AS A CIVILIAN

THE GOVERNMENT FLYING SERVICE WILL BE SET UP DISCIPLINED FORCE TO TAKE OVER ALL THE FUNCTIONS CURRENTLY PERFORMED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE (RHKAAF),

THESE FUNCTIONS INCLUDE AIR SUPPORT TO THE POLICE ALONG THE BORDER AND IN ANTI-CRIME OPERATIONS, INCLUDING OPERATIONS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ANTI-SMUGGLING TASK FORCE.

OTHER FUNCTIONS ARE SEARCH AND RESCUE, EMERGENCY MEDICAL EVACUATION SERVICES FROM REMOTE AREAS, AIR SURVEY WORK, AND OTHER FLYING SERVICES TO THE GOVERNMENT.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY), THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR IAN STRACHAN, SAID AS THE RHKAAF NO LONGER HAD A MILITARY ROLE, IT WAS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR IT TO REMAIN CONSTITUTED AS AN AIR FORCE.

TODAY (FRIDAY)

THE GOVERNMENT FLYING SERVICE BILL GAZETTED SEEKS TO ESTABLISH THE GOVERNMENT FLYING SERVICE AS A CIVILIAN DISCIPLINED FORCE.

THE RHKAAF'S LINKS WITH THE MILITARY WILL BE SEVERED BY THE CONSEQUENTIAL REPEAL OF

THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE ORDINANCE.

THE BILL SETS OUT THE ROLES OF THE GOVERNMENT PLYING SERVICE AND THE POWERS OF THE CONTROLLER AS THE HEAD OF THE SERVICE.

IT

ALSO MAKES PROVISION FOR DISCIPLINE AND THE CONDUCT OF ITS MEMBERS, AND ESTABLISHES A WELFARE FUND FOR MEMBERS KILLED OR INJURED ON DUTY.

MR STRACHAN SAID OVER THE LAST SIX YEARS, THE RHKAAF HAD UNDERGONE A MAJOR EXPANSION AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.

EIGHT NEW HELICOPTERS ARE NOW IN OPERATION AND A FURTHER TWO LARGER ONES WILL ENTER SERVICE NEXT JANUARY.

"ADDITIONAL STAFF HAVE BEEN RECRUITED AND AN EXTENSIVE LOCALISATION PROGRAMME FOR PILOTS IS UNDER WAY. THIS IS PART OF A PROGRAMME TO ENSURE THAT BY 1993, ALL NON-MILITARY FLYING DUTIES CAN BE PERFORMED BY HONG KONG GOVERNMENT RESOURCES WITHOUT THE NEED TO USE GARRISON HELICOPTERS, HE SAID.

"

HE EXPECTED THAT THE EXPANSION PROGRAMME WOULD BE COMPLETED BY 1993, AT WHICH TIME THE RHKAAF WOULD HAVE COMPLETED THE CHANGEOVER FROM MILITARY TO CIVILIAN OPERATING PROCEDURE.

THE BILL IS THUS EXPECTED TO ENTER INTO FORCE ON APRIL 1, 1993.

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OPERATION OF CENTURY,

BELIEVE

THE GOVERNMENT MR STRACHAN SAID.

THIS BILL WILL LAY A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR THE

FLYING SERVICE

WELL INTO

THE 21ST

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