ENG-1986 — Page 278

THE ARMED SERVICES AND AUXILIARY SERVICES

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located at Blackdown Barracks, San Po Kong. Additionally, RAF personnel serve on the staff of Headquarters British Forces, in the Joint Air Tasking Cell, and in the Joint Services Movements Centre.

The Wessex helicopters are employed in direct support of the Army and can each carry up to 14 troops or 1 400 kilograms of freight anywhere within Hong Kong. The helicopter is the only practicable way of moving troops, rations and equipment quickly to outlying areas, and its speed and flexibility have been significant factors in the success of the security forces' operations.

Although illegal immigration has been substantially reduced across the land border, some illegal immigrants still attempt to enter Hong Kong in speedboats. These clandestine operations, which are normally carried out at night, are countered by combined operations involving surface vessels and Wessex helicopters. The Wessex uses its 65 million candle- power Nightsun to illuminate the area, assisting in the capture of speedboats and occupants by surface vessels. The flying is demanding and involves considerable time on stand-by at night waiting for call out.

During the year, one helicopter was available for search and rescue duties throughout the normal working day and, on a rotational basis with the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force, one helicopter was on permanent stand-by for territory-wide aeromedical evacua- tion. During the dry season, the RAF 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 its operational task, No. 28 (AC) Squadron provides training and support for the Royal Hong Kong Police Force and has assisted with a number of community projects, including the removal of abandoned vehicles from remote areas, transporting young people to camps in the New Territories on government sponsored holidays, and the provision of air experience flights for a large proportion of the Air Scouts and Air Cadet Corps of Hong Kong.

Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers)

The Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers) is a light reconnaissance regiment of part-time volunteers. Its role, though primarily one of internal security, includes reconnais- sance, anti-illegal immigration operations and assistance to other government departments in the event of natural disasters. It is administered and financed by the Hong Kong Government, but if called out it is commanded by the Commander British Forces and forms part of the Gurkha Field Force.

The regiment has an establishment of 946 volunteers and 54 permanent staff, including nine regular soldiers, one of whom is the Commanding Officer, on loan from the British Army. The volunteers come from all walks of life and are of various nationalities, but over 95 per cent are Chinese.

The regiment is composed of four reconnaissance squadrons, a home guard squadron and a headquarters squadron. In addition, a women's troop was established in 1983 and expanded to 52 members in 1984 to provide support in internal security and anti-illegal immigration operations as searchers and interpreters. A guard troop of 12 members was established in 1983 to look after the general security of the Regimental Headquarters. There is also a junior leaders' corps of 300 boys, aged from 14 to 17, trained in youth activities and leadership. As part of the youth activities geared to the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, a junior leaders' band was formed in 1984 to give performances at youth functions. The response to recruiting campaigns has been enthusiastic. A highly selective