Government Flying Service

Hong Kong Government Flying Service insignia

Government Flying Service (GFS) is a disciplined unit of the Government of Hong Kong responsible for providing aerial search and rescue, air ambulance, firefighting, and law enforcement support. The GFS operates under the Security Bureau and is headquartered at the Hong Kong International Airport.

History

The Government Flying Service was established on 1 April 1993, succeeding the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force (RHKAAF). The transition was part of the preparations for the handover of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China in 1997.

Operations

The GFS provides a wide range of services, including:

• Search and rescue (SAR) operations within the Hong Kong Flight Information Region (FIR).
• Air ambulance services, transporting patients from remote areas and outlying islands to hospitals.
• Firefighting support, particularly in areas that are difficult to access by land.
• Law enforcement support, including surveillance and transportation for the Hong Kong Police Force.
• Disaster relief operations, both within Hong Kong and in neighboring regions.

Fleet

The GFS operates a fleet of fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, including:

• Bombardier Challenger 605
• Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma
• Eurocopter EC155 B1
• Airbus H175

Training and Personnel

The GFS employs a team of highly trained pilots, aircrew, and support staff. Training programs are rigorous and include both local and overseas components to ensure personnel are equipped to handle a variety of emergency situations.

Notable Incidents

The GFS has been involved in several high-profile rescue operations, including:

• The rescue of passengers from the sinking vessel Lamma IV in 2012.
• The search and rescue operation following the 2010 Hong Kong bus hostage crisis in the Philippines.

See Also

• Hong Kong Fire Services Department
• Hong Kong Police Force
• Civil Aviation Department (Hong Kong)
• Security Bureau (Hong Kong)