ENG-1968 — Page 300

15

The Armed Services and Auxiliary Services

THE British Armed Forces, which are stationed in Hong Kong to assist the Hong Kong Government to maintain stability and security in the Colony, are under the operational command of the Com- mander, British Forces, who is responsible to the Commander- in-Chief, Far East. The Commander British Forces is also the Governor's adviser on matters affecting the security of the Colony.

=

Army units predominate in Hong Kong, and are under the direct command of the Commander British Forces, who has the additional appointment of General Officer Commanding, Land Forces. The land forces are part of the Far East Land Forces Command which has its headquarters in Singapore. Royal Navy ships in Hong Kong are under the direct operational control of the Commodore-in- Charge, Hong Kong. They are all units of the Far East Fleet, which has its headquarters in Singapore. The Commander, RAF, commands the RAF station at Kai Tak, and, in addition, has a squadron of Whirlwind helicopters under his command (No 28 Squadron). This RAF support is a part of the overall backing provided by Far East Air Force, based in Singapore, which includes fighter and ground attack aircraft, operating frequently from Kai Tak.

1

The Auxiliary Units of the Royal Hong Kong Defence Force, the Hong Kong Regiment and the Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force, are administered by the Hong Kong Government, but they come under command of Commander British Forces, and his appropriate single-service subordinate commanders, for operations, and training for operations.

HMS Tamar is the Naval Shore Establishment in Hong Kong. It is the headquarters of the Commodore-in-Charge. It provides essential base services to the force of frigates and mine counter- measures vessels assigned for duty in Hong Kong and to other ships of the Far East Fleet and Commonwealth navies visiting

Page 300Page 301