ENG-1990 — Page 346

292

18

THE ARMED SERVICES

THE Armed Services based in Hong Kong form a cosmopolitan garrison, with Gurkhas from Nepal making up nearly half the numbers and the rest being divided between locally-recruited Hong Kong Chinese and service personnel from the United Kingdom. In addition, Hong Kong has its own locally-raised regiment of part-time soldiers - the Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers).

The Role

The garrison is stationed in the territory primarily to demonstrate sovereignty and safe- guard the conditions which have helped Hong Kong to flourish, thus underlining the United Kingdom's stated commitment to the territory.

Commander British Forces

The Commander British Forces, with the rank of Major-General, is in overall command of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force elements based in Hong Kong, which make up the garrison.

The Garrison

The garrison numbers about 11 000 men and women - 8 500 military and some 2 500 civilian support staff.

There are three Royal Navy patrol craft, an infantry brigade consisting of one United Kingdom battalion (currently the 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Wales who arrived in the territory in August 1990) and three Gurkha battalions supported by Gurkha engineer, communications and transport regiments. There is also 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.

A significant part of the garrison's work is devoted to controlling illegal immigration attempts by land or sea. The Royal Navy patrols Hong Kong waters and a battalion mans the land border 24 hours a day, every day of the year, apart from two weeks each year when the Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers) takes on border duties. In 1990, there was a big increase in the number of illegal border crossers who were intercepted by the security forces.