ENG-1989 — Page 323

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THE ARMED SERVICES

THE Armed Services based in Hong Kong form a multinational Garrison, 38 per cent Hong Kong Chinese, 43 per cent Gurkhas and 19 per cent British servicemen and women.

In addition Hong Kong has its own locally-enlisted regiment of part-time soldiers, the Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers).

The Commander British Forces is in overall command of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force elements which make up the garrison. The garrison consists of three Royal Navy patrol craft, an infantry brigade of one United Kingdom and three Gurkha battalions, and support troops which include one regiment each of Gurkha engineers, signals and transport, and an Army Air Corps squadron equipped with Scout helicopters. The Royal Air Force provides medium-lift air support with a squadron of Wessex helicopters. Among the supporting units there is an Army Maritime Troop with three landing craft (RCLs) which have become well known to residents of outlying islands as the transporters of everything from men to earth-moving equipment.

The role of the garrison is to demonstrate sovereignty and safeguard the conditions which have helped Hong Kong to flourish, thus underlining the United Kingdom's stated commitment to the territory.

A significant part of the garrison's work is devoted to preventing illegal immigration by land or sea. The Royal Navy patrols Hong Kong waters, and every infantryman can expect to spend one day in four on the land border throughout his tour. For two weeks every year the Volunteers also take on border duties.

Military resources are available to assist in the event of natural disasters or other tragedies. The garrison automatically comes to a higher state of alert whenever a typhoon threatens the territory. Emergency communications are set up and troops are placed on standby for tasks such as clearing landslips or assisting in the rescue of civilians trapped by floods. The RAF's Wessex helicopters are especially useful in this role. A wide range of stores and equipment is always on hand for disaster relief.

Royal Navy patrol craft are manned and engines kept running throughout the storm so that the vessels are ready to respond instantly to calls for assistance.

For smaller-scale emergencies, the Royal Navy operates Hong Kong's only recom- pression chamber to treat divers who have surfaced too quickly. The Navy also has its own clearance diving team which can assist the Police and the Fire Services Department in underwater tasks.

RAF helicopters are a familiar sight during the dry season, especially in country parks where they are used to fight fires and rescue injured trekkers in addition to their primary role of moving troops or Royal Hong Kong Police on training exercises.

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