ENG-1983 — Page 258

THE ARMED SERVICES AND AUXILIARY SERVICES

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Auxiliary Air Force, one helicopter was on permanent standby for territory-wide aeromed- ical evacuation. During the dry season, they provided assistance in fighting fires in areas inaccessible to normal fire appliances: the Wessex can carry a suspended bucket containing 1 000 kilograms of water for release over the fire. In addition to the varied operational tasks performed by No. 28 Squadron, the Wessex has assisted in several construction projects within Hong Kong, including airlifting all the construction material for two new hilltop radio stations on Lantau Island and in the New Territories.

Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers)

The Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers) - a light reconnaissance regiment - is essentially a part-time volunteer force which operates in support of the British Armed Forces in Hong Kong. Its role is primarily one of internal security but also includes anti-illegal immigrant operations, assistance to other government departments in the event of natural disasters, and reconnaissance in limited war.

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The regiment has 870 volunteers, from all walks of life and of many nationalities, who form four reconnaissance squadrons, a home guard squadron and a headquarters squad- ron. In addition, a women's troop was established in 1983 to provide supporting services in internal security and anti-illegal immigrant operations as searchers and interpreters. There is also a junior leaders' squadron of 300 boys aged from 14 to 17 trained in youth activities and leadership. Recruitment for the regiment has flourished allowing a highly selective intake: 115 recruits completed the six-month training and passed out in May as a result of a successful campaign the previous year with 1 300 applications for 150 vacancies.

The training commitment is two evenings and one weekend each month, as well as regimental camps and exercises, and centrally organised regimental training. The regimen- tal camp, the highlight of the year's training, takes place for eight days in April and October. For the October camp, the regiment is deployed on the border to relieve a regular battalion of its anti-illegal immigration duties. In 1983, five officer cadets attended a two-week training course at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, while 15 non- commissioned officers were attached to military establishments in the United Kingdom for training.

Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force

The Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force, based at Hong Kong International Airport, provides a variety of civil flying services for the government. It has a fleet of seven aircraft: a twin-engined Cessna Titan, a twin-engined Britten-Norman Islander, two Scottish Aviation Bulldog trainers and three Aerospatiale Dauphin twin-engined helicopters. The combina- tion of 83 permanent staff and 140 part-time volunteers, including a self-sufficient engineering squadron, enables the force to operate round-the-clock for seven days a week during an emergency.

Helicopter crews, which are on standby day and night (relieved of the overnight standby by the Royal Air Force for two months of the year), responded to over 280 requests for emergency medical evacuations and rescues during 1983. For two particularly difficult operations, a Queen's commendation and three Governor's commendations were awarded to the aircrews involved. A joint maritime communications project was completed with helicopters helping to carry heavy material to hilltop locations. During the dry season, helicopters dropped over 1 000 tonnes of water on bush and forest fires in areas inaccessible to conventional appliances. Government officers were transported to remote areas and official visitors from overseas were shown the territory from the air.