All-Time Aircraft Listing

* = on order
# = on delivery

National Markings

This section describes and illustrates the various national insignia used by the Royal Air Force of Oman since its formation:

Main MarkingFin Flash

1959-1965
The first Omani national marking was red on white. The main marking was a plain red disc with a white outline, displayed in 6 positions, (i.e. above and below each wing, and on each side of the fuselage). The fin flash was the national ‘crossed swords and dagger’ coat of arms displayed in red on a white shield on the tailfin. Aircraft did not carry service titles.

Main MarkingFin Flash

1965-1983
In the mid 1960s the markings changed to white on red. The main marking now featured the national coat of arms in white, displayed in the same 6 positions as before on aircraft – but on the fuselage sides only on helicopters. The fin flash colours were the reverse of the previouse design, displayed on the tailfin. Aircraft did not carry service titles. From about 1977 onwards frontline combat aircraft, e.g. Jaguar, dropped the use of wing national insignia and just carried the fin flash.

Main MarkingFin Flash

1970-1983
Some sources state that the adoption of a new national flag in 1970 led to the addition of areas of green to the national markings. The main marking gained a green outline, while the fin flash was deleted. Photographic evidence of this marking is hard to obtain, and may have been only experimental or very short-lived.

Main MarkingFin Flash

1983-1990
In 1983 the national insignia changed to a more distinctive design, that reflected the colours of the SOAF official flag. The main marking was now a yellow ‘crossed swords and dagger’ on a blue shield. No wing markings are carried, so the national insignia was only displayed on the fin of aircraft and helicopters. Aircraft did not carry service titles.

Main MarkingFin Flash

1974-present
RAFO transport aircraft, such as the BAC 111 and C-130, carry the national flag on the fin. Once again, no wing markings are displayed. The C-130s show no service titles, while the BAC 111s showed service titles in Arabic script only along the upper fuselage sides, while the new A320s show the service titles ROYAL AIR FORCE OF OMAN in English and Arabic.

Main MarkingFin Flash

1990-present
The current national insignia consists of the ‘crown and oak leaves’ version of the official RAFO coat of arms, in red and yellow on a light blue shield. No wing markings are carried, so the national insignia is only displayed on the fin of aircraft and helicopters. Aircraft do not carry service titles.

Royal Air Force of Oman

History

Narrative Summary

Military aviation started in Muscat and Oman in 1959 with the formation of the Sultan of Oman’s Air Force (SOAF). Initially intended for policing duties it was largely manned by ex-RAF personnel. The start of the Dhofar rebellion in the 1960s lead to a rapid expansion of the air arm and a re-orientation towards counter-insurgency operations. Jet light attack aircraft and helicopters were acquired. In 1990 the SOAF was renamed the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO).

Key Dates

Current Status

To be added.

Future Plans

Replacement of AB205 and Super Puma with 20 NHI NH-90s.

One C-130J is also order.

Markings

National Insignia

Current — Historical

Aircraft Serial Numbers

Early SOAF aircraft retained their former RAF/Army Air Corps serial numbers. In the late 1960s a three-digit serial numbering system was introduced, in the range 100-999, e.g. C-47 501. Numbers are reused as aircraft types are retired.

Unit/Base Codes

Coding system not used.

Aircraft

Aircraft Designations

None – Manufacturers designations used.

Current Aircraft Inventory

Table of Current Service Aircraft

All-Time Aircraft Used List

Alphabetical Order — Chronological Order

Aircraft NOT Used

An order for 8 Panavia Tornado F.3s was placed in 1985, but cancelled in 1990. The ‘Dassault Falcon 10′ reportedly used by No.4 Sqn was actually a Royal Flight Dassault Falcon 20. Dornier Do 228 aircraft reported to be in RAFO service are actually Police Air Wing aircraft.

Organisation

Main Headquarters

Muaskar al-Murtafa.

Organisational Structure

The RAFO is organised along British Royal Air Force lines, with aircraft currently grouped into 11 separate Squadrons.

Current Order of Battle

Table of Current Order of Battle

Historical Orders of Battle

List of Historical Orders of Battle – to be added.

All-Time Flying Units List

To be added.

Air Bases

Current Air Bases

The main air bases currently used are Al Musanah, Masirah, Salalah, Seeb and Thumrait.

All-Time Air Bases Used List

A new base has been constructed at Al Musanah, and consequently the use of Seeb Airport will eventually be discontinued.
Military Air Bases Listing – to be added.

More Information

Books

Oman Military Aviation Bibliography – to be added.

Magazines

Combat Aircraft magazine

Websites

Official Oman Air Force webpage

wikipedia: Oman Air Force

Scramble: Oman Air Force

PlanePictures.net

Airliners.net

Air-Britain Photos: Oman Air Force

A few pictures from The Sultan of Oman’s Air Force

Photographs of The Sultan’s Armed Forces

Current Order of Battle

Current Inventory

* = on order
# = on delivery

All-Time Aircraft Listing

* = on order
# = on delivery

National Markings

This section describes and illustrates the various national insignia used by the Qatar Emiri Air Force since its formation:

Main MarkingFin Flash

1968-1974
The national markings carried by the Air Wing of the Public Security Forces are not known.

Main MarkingFin Flash

1974-present
With the establishment of the QEAF a national marking of maroon, gold and white was adopted. This is displayed in the standard 6 positions (i.e. above and below each wing, and on each side of the fuselage) on aircraft – but on fuselage sides only on helicopters. The fin flash, crossed Qatar flags on black, is displayed on the tailfin. Aircraft do not carry service titles.

Aircraft Not Used

This page gives details of some of the aircraft types that were offered or promised to the Qatar Emiri Air Force but not delivered, cancelled official orders, and types have been falsely reported as being in service.

Aerospatiale SA330J Puma
Six examples reportedly in service 1981 to 1986.

Aerospatiale AS332F Super Puma
Six AS332F Super Pumas were reported to be in service 1982 to 1998.

Britten Norman BN-2A Islander
One example reportedly in use 1976 to 1988.

British Aerospace Hawk
A November 1996 order for 12 Hawk 100s was later cancelled.

Qatar Emiri Air Force

History

Narrative Summary

Prior to independence from Britain, Qatar had established an Air Wing of the Public Security Forces to fly Westland Whirlwind helicopters. In late 1971 these helicopters were supplemented by a small number of Hawker Hunters. In 1974 the Air Wing was formally upgraded to air force status, and renamed the Qatar Emiri Air Force. The Hunters were later replaced by Mirage F.1s and then Mirage 2000s. At the same time, more helicopters were acquired to replace the ageing Whirlwinds. In 2008 orders were placed for C-130J and C-17 transports, to allow Qatar to provide humanitarian aid around the world and raise its public profile on the international stage.

Key Dates

Current Status

Since the Air Defence of Qatar is principally undertaken by USAF fighters based at Al Udeid, the QEAF concentrates on providing direct support for army and navy surface units with helicopters and light attack aircraft. The recent procurement of a relatively large transport fleet is intended to provide humanitarian aid rather than facilitate expeditionary warfare operations.

Future Plans

Take delivery of 18 AW139 helicopters to replace the Westland Commando
Take delivery of four C-130J-30 transports.
Qatar has an option for two more C-17s.

Markings

National Insignia

Current — Historical

Aircraft Serial Numbers

The Qatar military serial numbering system consists of the two-letter prefix ‘QA’ (Qatar Air Force) and a two digit mumber, e.g. QA11 for Hunter FGA.78 and QA91 for Mirage 2000-5EDA.

Unit/Base Codes

Coding system not used.

Aircraft

Aircraft Designations

None – Manufacturers designations used.

Current Aircraft Inventory

Table of Current Service Aircraft

All-Time Aircraft Used List

Alphabetical Order — Chronological Order

Aircraft NOT Used

False reports of aircraft on order or in service

Organisation

Main Headquarters

Doha.

Organisational Structure

The QEAF is organised into two wings, No.1 Fighter Wing and No.2 Rotary Wing. The five operational squadrons are subordinate to these two wings.

Current Order of Battle

Table of Current Order of Battle

Historical Orders of Battle

List of Historical Orders of Battle – to be added.

All-Time Flying Units List

To be added.

Air Bases

Current Air Bases

The main air base is officially Al Udeid, but most flying operations actually take place from Dhoha International Airport.

All-Time Air Bases Used List

The main bases used are Al Udeid and Doha International Airport. A number of outlying desert strips are also available for helicopter operations.
Military Air Bases Listing – to be added.

More Information

Books

Qatar Military Aviation Bibliography – to be added.

Magazines

To be added.

Websites

wikipedia: Qatar Air Force

Scramble: Qatar Emiri Air Force

PlanePictures.net

Airliners.net

World Air Forces: Qatar Aircraft

Qatar Emiri Air Force

Hawker Hunter QA12

Kuwait Police Helicopter Wing

Narrative Summary

The Kuwait Police operates a small Air Wing comprising a handful of helicopters. The Police report to the Ministry of Interior. No historical details are known.

The Police Helicopter Wing is primarily involved in traffic patrol, VIP transport, SAR and EMS duties.

None known.

          Main markingFin Flash

The national flag was carried as a fin flash. POLICE service titles were also displayed.

Kuwait Ministry of Interior helicopters originally retained their former Air Force serial numbers. Helicopters purchased new since 2000 have a serialling system comprising a two-figure number for each airframe, prefixed by the letters KMOI, e.g. KMOI-04.

Coding system not used

None – Manufacturers designations used

No false reports known.

Not known.

All aircraft are based at an unknown base.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

All helicopters are operated from an unknown base.

Not applicable.

To be added

None known.

Ministry of Interior