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THE ARMED SERVICES AND AUXILIARY SERVICES

in support of the British Armed Forces in Hong Kong in both internal security and reconnaissance roles. It has approximately 700 volunteers. The regiment consists of four reconnaissance squadrons, a headquarters' squadron and a home guard squadron. There is also a junior leaders' squadron of 135 boys between the ages of 14 and 17 who are trained in youth activities and leadership. On average, volunteers train for two evenings and one weekend a month, with a 15-day annual camp. Whenever possible, volunteers are attached to regular battalions of the British Forces for over- seas training.

The regiment assists government departments during natural disasters and helps the community by actively supporting many organisations and charities.

The Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force, based at new headquarters near the main runway at Kai Tak airport, has an establishment of 111 volunteers and 54 per- manent staff, enabling it to operate seven days a week and round the clock during an emergency. It operates six aircraft: a twin-engined Britten-Norman Islander, two new Scottish Aviation Bulldog trainers and three Alouette III helicopters.

The main role of the unit is internal security but it provides other flying services. The Britten-Norman Islander is used to assist the Public Works Department in aerial surveys and photography for map making and development planning; in addition it conducts surveillance flights over Hong Kong waters in support of the police and assists with search and rescue operations. The helicopters provide a 24-hour medical evacuation service from remote areas and are also used to convey people on official visits to the more inaccessible parts of Hong Kong. The Bulldog aircraft provide basic and advanced flight training for both auxiliary pilots and Civil Aviation Department air traffic controllers.

With its range of staff and aircraft, the unit is able to provide both civil and military flying services to give Hong Kong an economical and flexible air service.

Civil Aid Services

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The Civil Aid Services is a disciplined, volunteer service trained to assist the regular emergency services in dealing with natural disasters and other emergencies. Besides its emergency role, the Civil Aid Services also provides assistance in crowd control at large public gatherings and has helped, in the organisation of several local Chinese festivals, government publicity campaigns, fund raising drives for charity and sports meetings.

Civil Aid Services volunteers are trained to handle casualties, to conduct search and rescue operations when people are trapped in landslides or collapsed buildings, and to give assistance to people lost or injured in the countryside. Operational duties per- formed during 1978 included forest fire-fighting, country park patrolling, tropical cyclone duty, mountain search and rescue operations, anti-oil pollution duties, clear- ing of blocked roads and the provision of a despatch rider service for government departments.

The adult members of the Civil Aid Services, comprising 2,800 volunteers from all walks of life, are recruited into units based in the areas in which they work or reside. This permits the rapid mobilisation of manpower within a specific area. Members are also more likely to understand the problems in their neighbourhoods and to be familiar with the location of essential emergency facilities. Units have been established in urban