PA
DP 15/393/1
Sir E. Peck
SECRET
ECEIVED IN
REGISTRY No. 51
11 JUN 1969
14 KKC 10/1
+
(28
Original
M
DPD file
Hong Kong Helicopter Force
The paper below (COS 1367/5/6/69) which recommends that
the establis::ment of the Hong Kong helicopter force should be
increased from six to ten Whirlwinds from 31 March 1970 has been
placed on the agenda for the Chiefs of Staff this afternoon.
Background
2. There are at present six Whirlwind helicopters on the
strength of the Hong Kong garrison. In January, the Commander,
British Forces, Hong Kong, reported through the Commander-in-Chief,
Far East, that after one year's experience of support helicopters
in Hong Kong, a simultaneous platoon lift was essential to meet
internal security and other operational tacks; and that the force
of six Whirlwinds had achieved only 50 per cent availability
during the year, representing a simultaneous lift of only half
a platoon and sometimes less. In forwarding Commander, British
Forces', Report, the Commander-in-Chief, Far East, strongly
recommended that the Whirlwind helicopters should be replaced by
six RAF Wessex helicopters.
tated
3. The inistry of Defence having examined the proposal atate
that there is no possibility of making Wessex helicopters
available since they are all otherwise fully engaged. As an
alternative, they suggest in this paper that the strength of
Whirlwind helicopters in long kong shou be increased from six
to ten in March 1970 when four will, in any event, become
available from the Far East Air Force.
(Paragraph 27) that the adoption of this proposal would involve
hey also point out
AG
11.6.69
SECRET
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