TNAG-1638-FCO40-2282-Future-of-Hong-Kong-withdrawal-of-the-British-garrison-1987 — Page 130

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UK EYES A

APPENDIX 1 TO ANNEX TO F ATTACHMENT TO CDS 7/87

HONG KONG MILITARY HELICOPTER FORCE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

1. The following Sovereign Force Hong Kong helicopter force levels are considered the minimum which would be necessary to

support the HKG in a crisis:

A

X

a. Wessex. Once the Hong Kong Police have assumed responsibility for all military tasks (about 1993), the military helicopter lift requirement will reduce to a simultaneous platoon lift to meet unforeseen contingencies. The platoon is the smallest unit that may be deployed tactically in Hong Kong's particular circumstances. Gurkha platoon comprises 34 all ranks organised into 4 elements - a HQ of 7 men and 3 sections of 9 men each. A Wessex 2 can carry 8-12 men in fighting order. Since it is particularly important in the Hong Kong environment that the platoon HQ and each section deploy simultaneously as complete units, a minimum of 4 Wessex will be required until final withdrawal.

b.

Scout. The main roles for Scout helicopters, which can carry 3-4 passengers, are observation, reconnaissance, liaison, and more importantly command and control, ie airborne command post (ACP) duties. This latter role is particularly relevant to Hong Kong for IS and could require one Scout ACP at each level of command simultaneously company, battalion and brigade. In addition Scout helicopters would still be required to meet a number of military

tasks, including:

-

Resupply

Casualty evacuation

COS S/176(1)

Nitesun

F

1 - 1

UK EYES A

SECRET LOCSEN

X