Air Enthusiast 1972-09
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??? - Supporting a 'Sensitive' War
Two of the SOAF Skyvan 3Ms with one of the eight Agusta Bell 205s of the Helicopter Squadron.
One of the two surviving SOAF DHC-4 Caribous, the third having been lost in an accident during a landing on a short strip.
The real "workhorse" of the SOAF is the Skyvan 3M seen in these photos operating under what are probably the most punishing conditions in the world. The Skyvan flight of the SOAF's Air Support Squadron is manned by seconded RAF personnel and (mostly British ex-service) mercenaries. Some 220 of the British serving with the Omani forces are seconded personnel, including 100 from the Special Air Services Regiment, and these have been told by the UK Ministry of Defence to avoid participating in operations likely to embarass HM government.
The strike capability of the SOAF is provided by nine Strikemaster Mk 82s soon to be augmented by a further eight. South Yemen recently alleged that British-flown aircraft have violated its air space 119 times over the past two years, most of these intrusions being made by Strikemasters in sorties against DLF bases.
SOAF Strikemaster Mk 82s with full underwing ordnance ready for a sortie against the DLF at the "forward base" at Salalah.
One of the SOAF's three 800 series Viscounts that operate the Muscat-Salalah service. Note the auxillary wing tanks.