LR/A1/21/12
SECRET
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SECRET
BACKGROUND NOTES
1.
Six Whirlwind Mk 10 helicopters were redeployed to Hong Kong
from Singapore as a temporary measure in September 1967 at the time
of the disturbances in the Colony. In February 1968 Ministers
approved the permanent establishment in Hong Kong of these six
helicopters which were formed into No 28 Squadron., Although there
have been public references to the temporary deployment of the six
aircraft in 1967 and to their activities generally in the Colony
(relevant Extracts are at Annex A) the details of the permanent
establishment have not, in accordance with accepted practice, been
revealed.
2. The primary task of the RAF helicopters is to provide tactical
airlift for the 63 major Army units of the Hong Kong Garrison.
Although when originally established it was thought that the Force
could provide a simultaneous lift for one platoon, operating
conditions in Hong Kong have shown that the existing force can
provide a simultaneous lift for no more than one half platoon.
Earlier this year CBF Hong Kong made recommendations, endorsed
by CINCFE, that the helicopter lift available to the Garrison
should be increased to provide a simultaneous lift for a complete
platoon by replacing the six Whirlwinds with six Wessex. Since
Wessex could not be made available at any stage in the foreseeable
future, the Chiefs of Staff recommended the alternative of increasing
the existing force by adding four Whirlwind aircraft starting in
March 1970 by the transfer of aircraft as they became available from
the FEAF rundown,
S SECRETT
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