ENG-1991 — Page 339

THE ARMED SERVICES

signals and transport regiments. There is also an Army Air Corps squadron equipped with Scout helicopters, and an army maritime troop, part of the transport regiment, which operates three landing craft.

The Army's main role in recent years has been controlling illegal immigration on the land border with China. This task is gradually being reassumed by the Royal Hong Kong Police in three phases which began in December 1990 and are due to be completed in April 1992, although the Army will retain some responsibility for the border until later in

that year.

Because of this transfer of responsibility, the Gurkha element of the garrison is to be reduced from three to two infantry battalions later in 1992.

The Royal Air Force is based at Sek Kong where it operates a squadron of Wessex helicopters. It works in close co-operation with civil authorities on missions which include moving troops or police on training or operations; fighting fires, particularly in country parks and other remote areas; evacuating casualties and providing Search and Rescue facilities. Aircraft and crews from the squadron served with distinction in the oilfield barge incident, winching 24 survivors to safety.

Training and Operations

In 1991, troops from the garrison were required to operate outside Hong Kong's boundaries. More than 250 served in the Gulf conflict early in the year in an ambulance squadron formed from the Gurkha Transport Regiment. Later, a 130-strong composite transport squadron of Gurkhas and Chinese undertook a six-month tour with the United Nations force in Cyprus.

The garrison prides itself as a well-trained and integrated fighting force and pays great attention to maintaining its military skills and standards. This involves a busy training programme throughout the year with combined exercises involving the three services and the Royal Hong Kong Regiment, as well as Five Power Defence Agreement exercises with the armed forces of Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand.

Hong Kong lacks suitable areas for realistic training with some of the weaponry with which British Forces are normally equipped, which means that some exercises are held overseas in order to maintain a high standard of military skills.

Vietnamese Illegal Immigrants

During 1991, the garrison continued to play its part in assisting the Hong Kong Government with logistical and technical support in dealing with the problems caused by the influx of Vietnamese. The western end of RAF Sek Kong continued to be used as a temporary camp, while the Lo Wu training camp was again made available to provide further accommodation. During the year, the Army's maritime troop moved more than 100 000 Vietnamese between locations. In the first six months, landing craft transferred more than 15 000, mostly to the new camp in Tai A Chau.

The Garrison and the Community

The garrison contributes to the well-being of the wider community in many ways. Apart from the high-profile events which highlight the garrison's presence, there is much

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