MASIRAH
208 and many other RAF sqns regularly
used the base on Masirah Island, off the Omani Coast as a staging post. For the squadron it was en-route to and from Aden. The facilities were basic with little infrastructure. This is a view of the pan and “the offices” [30].
However Masirah featured in our night flying programme. The AHQs in Aden and Bahrain decided that we should be able to deploy to Aden under cover of darkness. Approach aids were minimal, the runway had a few lights and only a Red 'T' to guide you in! Not really enough lights to see any obstructions, but camels and donkeys did not appear to be round at night! The airfield was unfenced. Sadly, we lost a pilot on one of these practices. We used to fly down, refuel and fly back all in one night. On his return, he decided to do a second controlled descent and radar back at Muharraq. He was flying the only aircraft, which had a mark of altimeter, which especially in the dark, the unwary could misread by 10,000 feet. He disappeared on the turn in.
Later we
used Masirah for live FAC 
practice. Here [31] is a live SNEB firing – the rockets can be seen – followed by a smart 6+ 'g' pull-out – mountains ahead [32]. Live firing training used to take place on Yas Island where there was absolutely nothing. The Army and ground party were supported by the resident RN landing craft from Bahrain. Our Army Ground Liaison Officer found the Twyneham huts at Masirah much more to his liking.
NAVY CO-OP
The Squadron's regular exercises with the RN 'on Station' frigates and minesweepers, were always mounted from Bahrain. A much more satisfactory arrangement for face-to-face briefings and debriefings and the inevitable party thereafter.
