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THE ARMED SERVICES
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. Major-General Bryan Dutton will hold this post until the handover of sovereignty in June 1997.
The Garrison
The garrison's principal role continues to be to provide a tangible demonstration of the United Kingdom's sovereignty and commitment to Hong Kong until 1997. Its remaining forces retain a balanced and flexible capability to assist the Hong Kong Government, if and where necessary, in several tasks. These include assistance in the maintenance of stability, security and confidence within the territory; maintenance of the territorial integrity of Hong Kong's boundaries; support for Royal Hong Kong Police operations; disaster and emergency relief; and contributing to regional security. The garrison's military and civilian staff numbers about 3 250 men and women. Headquarters British Forces is at the Prince of Wales Barracks in Central. The Royal Navy, from its headquarters at HMS Tamar on Stonecutters Island, continued to provide support to the Royal Hong Kong Police in operations to counter smuggling and illegal immigration. The three patrol craft of the Hong Kong Squadron, HM Ships Peacock, Plover and Starling, patrol within the territory's waters, liaising closely with the Marine Police and other government departments. The squadron also provides an ocean-going search and rescue capability in the South China Sea that extends about 300 nautical miles around the territory. The three patrol craft will remain until 1997.
The Army comprises the largest element of the garrison and, as such, has seen the greatest decline in numbers as preparations for withdrawal continue and its functions are transferred to civil agencies. From three infantry battalions in 1994 (one United Kingdom battalion and two Gurkha battalions), supported by Gurkha engineer, signals, and transport regiments, only one battalion the 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles (1RGR). remains. It will return to the UK in November 1996, the end of the Nepali academic year, and be replaced, initially, by the 1st Battalion The Staffordshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales's) and subsequently, by the 1st Battalion the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment). These two battalions will serve overlapping five-month, unaccompanied tours. The strength of logistic and other supporting units has been reduced to reflect the decline in front-line troops. The Queen's Own Gurkha Transport Regiment, the Queen's Gurkha Signals and the Queen's Gurkha Engineers each has a single squadron.
The Royal Air Force is based at Shek Kong, in the New Territories, and com- prises a helicopter support squadron, No. 28 (Army Co-operation) Squadron, an engineering squadron and an administrative squadron. No. 28 (AC) Squadron is equipped with four operational and two reserve Wessex helicopters. Its role is to provide air support to the garrison and it is also available to assist the Hong Kong Government with search and rescue, fire fighting and other tasks.
Training and Operations
As the garrison is unique in its tri-national make up (British, Gurkha and Chinese), so it is also in its ability to use its blend of troops and skills in a wide range of training
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