RAF Khormaksar

Closure of RAF Riyan

The date of closure of RAF Riyan is tied to the withdrawal of Officials and British personnel from the Eastern Aden Protectorate; this political decision has not yet been made. Stocks and equipment at Riyan are being reduced to permit an evacuation in the event that withdrawal is necessary during the south west monsoon period.

Method of Movement of RAF Units and Handover of Tasks

1. Units and Squadrons deploying to the Gulf are to move as formed units assisted, where necessary, by theatre transport aircraft.

2. No. 78 Squadron, together with the two SAR Wessex allotted to Muharraq and the two command reserve aircraft, is to deploy to the Gulf by ship in two phases: it is expected that a LPD and LPH respectively will be used. SAR cover is to be taken ever by Wessex, when the Whirlwind returns to the UK, at a date to be decided. It is expected that both these moves will be by RN ship. Responsibility for contingency helicopter support to British forces reintroduced into the Federation will pass to RN Wessex in HMS Albion on 1 November, 1967. Responsibility for IS tasks is to be retained by RAF Wessex until final withdrawal.

3. Hunter aircraft withdrawing to the UK are to do so in pairs.

4. The final disposal of the Twin Pioneer and Beverley aircraft, when they phase out of the theatre, will be advised when known.

5. Shackletons withdrawing to the UK are to be mutually supporting. Tasks will be assumed by a HQCC Squadron in Sharjah,

1. Full Command AFME forces are to remain under the full command of AOC AFME until this responsibility is passed to Commander Air Forces Gulf (CAFG) on the departure of the AOC.

2. Operational Command

• Before Departure of AOC All AFME units, with the exception of RAF Steamer Point and HQ AFME, are to come under the Command of the Gulf Headquarters on 1 October, 1967. The OC will retain responsibility for all RAF matters concerning the run down and evacuation of the Aden base.

• After departure of AOC from Aden When the AOC leaves Aden, the Station Commander of RAF Khormaksar is to become Senior RAF Officer Aden (SRAFA) and is to be responsible for all RAF matters in South Arabia to Commander British Forces Aden.

• Aden (CBFA) (formerly GOC MELF) CBFA is to have operational control of the RAF in South Arabia. SRAFA is to be the Commander in Chief’s adviser on all land-based air matters.

Operational Control

1. Units Deploying to the Gulf by Air Before 1 October, 1967 AFME units deploying to the Gulf by air before 1 October, 1967, are to come under the operational control of CRAFPG on first landing in his area of responsibility.

2. Units Deploying to the Gulf by Sea AFME units which deploy to the Gulf by sea are to come under Naval operational control whilst embarked and whilst carrying out flying operations required by embarkation and disembarkation. After disembarkation they are to come under the Operational control of CRAFPG or command of CAFG as appropriate.

3. Aircraft Returning to the UK Aircraft returning to the UK are to remain under the operational control of AOC AFME or CAFG, as appropriate, until arrival in UK when they will come under the command of HQ Transport Command.

4. Non RAF Flying Units Operating from Khormaksar Non RAF flying units operating from RAF Khormaksar will remain under the command of MELF or the Federal Minister of Defence as appropriate but will come under the operational control of Officer Commanding RAF Khormaksar so far as use of the airfield is concerned.

Disbandment and redeployment of Squadrons

Subsequent revisions to the plan resulted in the following unit changes:

• No. 8 Squadron No.8 Squadron is to move to Masirah in August for a few weeks before moving on to Muharraq and form a fighter/ground attack wing with 208 Squadron.

• No. 21 Squadron No. 21 Squadron is to disband at Khormaksar in July 1967. The Dakota is to be transferred to the Station Flight at Khormaksar and its remaining aircraft dispersed to other squadrons, notably No. 152 Squadron at Muharraq.

• No. 43 Squadron No. 43 Squadron is to remain at Khormaksar until completion of the withdrawal in November 1967 and then disband.

• No. 37 Squadron No. 37 Squadron is to disband at Khormaksar in September 1967 and its aircraft to return to the UK.

• No. 78 Squadron No.78 Squadron is to remain at Khormaksar until completion of the withdrawal in November 1967 and then move to Sharjah.

• No. 84 Squadron No. 84 Squadron (Beverley) is to become a detached flight of No. 84 Squadron (Andover) in September 1967 and move to Sharjah.

• No. 105 Squadron No. 105 Squadron is to move to Muharraq starting in July and disband in February 1968.

• No. 1417 Flight No. 1417 Flight is to disband at Khormaksar in September 1967 and its aircraft reallocated to No. 8 Squadron. The intention had been for the Flight’s FR.10s to be handed over to the South Arabian Air Force upon final withdrawal but this was changed with the publication of this document.

Security

Security arrangements for the protection of personnel, aircraft, equipment arid installations against terrorist attacks are to continue until the withdrawal of all British Forces.

Travel Control Security

Training of the Federal force to undertake Travel Control Security (TCS) duties at the Civil Airport is to commence in mid-November and the Federal force will assume full responsibility on 1 December when the RAF personnel are to be withdrawn. Specialist training is to be given by RAF TCS personnel before withdrawal.

Meteorological Services at RAF Khormaksar

Meteorological Services at RAF Khormaksar will be reduced in accordance with instructions issued by C Met O (HQ MEC). Radiosonde observations will end on 30 November but all other observations will continue until withdrawal. Forecasts might have to be prepared at Muharraq due to reductions in communications equipment at Khormaksar, but a forecaster will be available at Khormaksar for briefing on a 24-hour basis until final withdrawal. Met broadcasts will close on 31 August.

Transfer of Facilities to Federal Government Departments

The policy and procedure for the transfer, to Federal Government Departments of fixed assets at RAF Khormaksar is to be as laid down by the Chairman of the Fixed Assets and Facilities sub-committee (Brig AQ, MELF). The policy and procedure for the transfer, to Federal Government Departments, of disposable assets is to be as laid clown by the Chairman of the Disposal Assets Sub -Committee (SESO AFME) .

ATC and Fire Services

• RAF Khormaksar The transfer of manning of these facilities at RAF Khormaksar is to be accordance with the decisions made at a conference held at HQ MEC on 13 March 1967.

• Services ‘Up-country’ The withdrawal of fire services and ATC where applicable, from up country strips is to be in phase with the withdrawal of British troops from the areas. RAF crews will remain at Mukeiras as long as the UPS1 remains deployed and at Habilayn, at reduced scale, so long as the AAC continues to use this strip. FRA crews are to be trained in crash and fire duties under arrangements which have been made between C Fire Off, HQ MEC, DAQMG, Federal Ministry of Defence and HQ FRA.

Administration and logistics

• Supply Instructions The disposal of equipment and closure of the equipment accounts of RAF Khormaksar, are to be in accordance with the relevant HQ, Middle East Command Aden Base Closure Equipment Staff Instructions.

• Engineering Instructions Engineering instructions for the redeployment and closure of RAF Khormaksar are contained in Engineering Redeployment Instructions Leaflets 5 and 6 issued on 31 December 1966. Leaflet 5 covers redeployment of the aircraft servicing squadrons and Leaflet 6 deals with the Engineering Wing. Leaflet 6 was issued during April 1967 and contains details of the rundown of second line scheduled servicing and bay servicing facilities.

• Administrative Instructions Instructions for the disposal of personnel are contained in annex F. Administrative instructions for the closure of Khormaksar are at Annex G (not included).

Point to Point Communication On the rundown of Commcen Aden it will be necessary to provide at Khormaksar terminal facilities for certain circuits currently operated from Commcen Aden. Accommodation will be required for the communication facilities detached below:

• DCN 290 - Aden/Bahrain - multichannel radio teleprinter circuit.

• LCN - Naval Command net to ships.

• Circuits to LPD, LPM and CVA for helicopter and fighter operations in the final stages of withdrawal.

Detailed instructions for providing these facilities and for bringing them into operation will be issued by HQ MEC (CSO AFME).

Detailed instructions for the foregoing facilities will be issued by HQ MEC (CSO AFME).

Airfield Radio Aids Detailed instructions for disposal of radio aids will be issued by HQ MEC (CSO AFME), but the following information is given for guidance:

• Tacan and ILS facilities have already been closed and equipment is in process of recovery.

• AR1 approach radar is to be withdrawn and recovered by October 1967.

• CADF is to be withdrawn and recovered in November/December 1967.

• The CRDF and the NDB at Hiswa, are required by the Federal Authorities and are not to be withdrawn. Current plans are that, the Eureka 7 is to remain at Khormaksar until Independence. With the agreement of the Federal Authority the ACR7 will be withdrawn as soon as the risk of sandstorms is passed.

Air Defence Radars Details of the disposal of 303 Signals Unit are contained in AFME/S142/17/Air dated 18 February. However, it should be noted that there maybe a requirement to maintain the UPS1 up-country after its present withdrawal date, possibly up until the time that the CVA has assumed responsibility for Air Defence. Furthermore there may be a requirement to maintain the Marconi 308, its associated height finders and the UPS1 at Khormaksar after the arrival of the CVA.

Final force levels and personnel numbers

By 1 December 1967 our force levels to meet our final tasks will be as follows:

Royal Navy

• One CVA (HMS Eagle) - supported by a DLG or AD frigate and a plane guard. The plan was for its Buccaneers and Sea Vixens to take over the Air Defence role as the last RAF aircraft departed Khormaksar.

• One LPH (HMS Albion) - its helicopters would provide the final link with Khormaksar.

• One LPD (HMS Intrepid)

• RFAs; LSTs and LSLs (Army) - in support.

Army

• One infantry battalion

• One Royal Marine Commando ashore

• One Royal Marine Commando afloat

• One armoured car squadron (embarked, less one troop ashore)

• One Light artillery battery (embarked, less one troop ashore)

• One engineer squadron (embarked, less one troop ashore)

• Eight Hunter FGA 9      }

• Four Hunter FR.10       } (operating from Khormaksar but supported from Gulf airfields)

• Six Wessex helicopters }

• Tac T aircraft                } (available on call from AFG)

Based on the above force levels and taking account of essential Government officials and MPBW civilian, present estimates of number of personnel to be withdrawn at Independence total approximately 2,350. These are made up as follows;

At HMS Sheba A total of approximately 100 officers and men; including the Joint Services Port Unit.

At Khormaksar

• The Army element, comprising Tactical Headquarters Aden Brigade, one commando, one battalion, one armoured car troop, one light artillery troop, one engineer troop and elements of the small Joint Headquarters. Total of some 1,150 personnel.

• The RAF element, comprising a squadron of Hunters and a Wessex flight (both with servicing support parties), a visiting aircraft servicing party, the Communications Centre, elements of an ATOC, movements, airfield services and elements of the Joint Headquarters. Total of some 350 personnel.