Government Flying Service
The Government Flying Service (GFS) is a disciplined unit of the Government of Hong Kong. The service has its head office in, and operates from, the southwestern end of Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok. Before the opening of the Chek Lap Kok airport in 1998, it operated from the old Kai Tak Airport (i.e. the former Hong Kong International Airport). GFS patrols a radius of Hong Kong's Maritime Search and Rescue Region, which covers most of the South China Sea basin, as well as the Hong Kong Flight Information Region. History. The Government  Flying Service was established on 1 April 1993, when Hong Kong was under British rule. It then took over all the non-military operations of the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force (RHKAAF), which was an auxiliary unit of the United Kingdom Royal Air Force. After Hong Kong was handed over to the People's Republic of China in 1997, the GFS remains as a government unit of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and is responsible for search and rescue (SAR), air ambulance, firefighting, and police operations. In 2007, the former dispersal in the old Kai Tak Airport was  re-opened as a sub-base, providing refuelling and other supporting services for GFS's helicopters. The helipad is located near the foot of Cheung Yip Street. In August 2020, a GFS Bombardier Challenger 605 maritime patrol aircraft is believed to have assisted Chinese authorities in intercepting 12 Hong Kongers who were attempting to flee to Taiwan due to increasingly onerous conditions in Hong Kong and enhanced exit controls. The Hong Kong government denied that they had cooperated with Chinese authorities. On December 21, 2020, the United States Bureau of Industry and Security will amend the Export Administration Regulations by  adding a new ‘Military End User' (MEU) List, as well as the first tranche of 103 entities, which includes 58 Chinese and 45 Russian companies. Government Flying Service was added as one of 103 entities to the MEU List. Operations. GFS is broken down to operational sections: Helicopters can land on five highways in Hong Kong to attend to road related recovery operations. For long-range search and rescue operations, the GFS initially uses fixed wing aircraft which then guides helicopters to the location. Equipment and Gear. Standard equipment for GFS personnel is: According to s 3(b)(ii) of the Firearms  and Ammunition Ordinance provides that an officer or member of the GFS in his capacity as such may possess or deal in arms without a licence. Personnel. GFS employs 327 personnel: Most of the pilots in the GFS were localised prior to the handover in 1997, as former RAF and other British military personnel departed Hong Kong. The GFS is led by a controller, who reports to the Secretary for Security. The current controller is Captain West WH WU. Other senior officers of the GFS are: Uniform. Operations uniforms: Dress uniforms: Rank. Prior to the creation of the GFS, the  ranks within the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force were the same as the RAF. The late 1980s and early 1990s saw the transition to local staff in the RHKAAF in preparation for the civil transfer to the GFS role. Ranking of personnel of the GFS are civilian aviation roles and are as follows: Pilot II and Cadet Pilot ranks were created in the 1990s for local pilots with less flying experience. Controllers. List of past controllers of the GFS: Crest. The current crest of the force was adopted in 1997, prior to which the Hong Kong Coat of Arms  was used on GFS aircraft: