The End of the Mighty Hunter (2)
Returning to Cyprus, the Squadron was disbanded 
in March 1959 and re-formed out of 142 Squadron at RAF Eastleigh in Kenya, initially operating Venom FB4s and then converting to Hunter FGA9s. A detachment to Kuwait when the Iraqis laid claim to it in 1961 kept the Squadron on its toes and then, as Kenya achieved independence, 208 relocated to Khormaksar in Aden. Here, there were various activities, ranging from patrols across the 
Aden Protectorate to involvement in the Radfan skirmishes and then, eventually, a transfer to RAF Muharraq in Bahrain as Aden became initially South Yemen, then merged with North Yemen to form the new Republic of Yemen.
Bahrain was a staunchly pro-British state, located in the Arabian Gulf, and 208 Squadron was to enjoy its stay there, celebrating its 50th Anniversary with Sir Geoffrey Bromet, Naval Eight's founding Commanding Officer, and
'Mad Major' Christopher Draper (first CO of 208 in 1918) in attendance. All good things come to an end, however, and following the Wilson Government's decision to withdraw British forces east of Suez, 208 was to be disbanded in 1971 after establishing for itself the longest record of continuous service in the Middle East of any numbered squadron in the Royal Air Force - a record of fifty one and a half years that remains unbroken to this day. Squadron Leader Ian Dick, the last OC 208 in Bahrain, brought the Squadron Standard home and Number 208 Squadron's era of the Hunter was over. Three years later, the Squadron was re-formed under the command of Wing Commander Pete Rogers, with the Buccaneer.
The End of the Mighty Hunter Page 1 2
