Routine tasks in the W.A.P. involved patrols and escort duties to Supply dropping aircraft and practice “scrambles” to strafe certain areas in the Radfan in support of the F.R.A.
At the end of February the Squadron was detached once more to RAF Muharraq, Bahrain for routine training in weaponry at Sharjah, Naval co-operation exercises and participation in a Forward Air Controlling exercise with the Trucial Oman Scouts.
Great value has always been obtained in training from high-low-high strikes with combat. The profile for such a sortie is that a four takes off and climbs to high level to fly towards the target area. The purpose of going for height is that at high level fuel consumption is far less than at low level. At the same time as the four is travelling to the target an “enemy” pair is also airborne attempting to intercept them and prevent them reaching the target. Thus both high level and later low-level combat is practised during the sortie. The four then attempts to attack the target after a low-level run-in on a recognised firing range, using practice rocket projectiles and front guns. The four then must fight its way back to base. Thus pilots obtain experience in tactics in a hostile air environment, in high and low level navigation and finally in weaponry. {For the anecdotal version of this period please follow this LINK }
May, 1964 found the Squadron back in Khormaksar engaged in operations against rebel tribesmen in the Radfan mountains. Some letters were received by the Squadron from the members of a Special Air Service patrol who had been surrounded in the mountains on 31st April. On that day the Squadron provided continuous air cover until dusk when the patrol was able to break out and return to their headquarters. Regrettably they lost two of their number on the initial breakout. After this the Squadron maintained three pairs of aircraft on standby from dawn to dusk and were later scrambled on request and operated against ground targets under forward air control. In June the Squadron was permanently re-deployed to Muharraq where it has remained since. Squadron Leader G.N. Lewis, AFC, was replaced in March 1965 by Squadron Leader D.J. Rhodes, AFM.
Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on how one views these things, Squadron Leader Rhodes was promoted to Wing Commander on 1st July, 1965 which meant that he would be ‘short-toured” as Squadron Commander. However he was able to extend to 8th January, 1966 before being replaced by Squadron Leader A.J. Chaplin.
Throughout the past two years, training on the Squadron has encompassed a wide variety of flying from strikes and air-to-air combat, to Army and Naval co-operation exercises, and armament practice camps at Sharjah to operational reconnaissance missions.
Today the Squadron endeavours to maintain the professional efficiency and tradition of its predecessors and is proud to celebrate this the Golden Jubilee of Number 208 Squadron, ex Naval 8.
