It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Colin McLean on Thursday 9th April 2026. Colin had been ill for some months having been diagnosed with Leukaemia in late 2025. He spent his final days in care in North London and staff at the care home reported that he had a steady stream of visitors and that he was a much loved patient. Several members of the SAF Association committee were able to visit him during his last few weeks and reported quite lively and cohere

We are very sorry to pass on the sad news of the death of Philip Brooke-Popham, late Commander Royal Navy of Oman, on Saturday 4th April 2026 aged 97. Philip commanded the navy, then the Sultan of Oman's Navy (SON), from 1973 - 76 in the very early stages of its existence and during the challenging last 2 years of the Dhofar war. He supervised the introduction of modern warships into the navy. A full obituary will be published in due course. Funeral details are as follows: 2

Major Colin Garland died on 19th January 2026 in Cyprus, aged 93. Colin was commissioned into the Royal Corps of Transport and served on loan service in Oman from 1963 until 1965 as the Force Transport Officer at Bayt al Falaj. He returned to Oman a little over ten years later in 1976, this time on contract, taking on the same role. He finally retired from SAF in 1980 and began a long and fulfilling second career with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), workin

Christopher Beese has written a comprehensive and erudite history of Firqat Forces in Oman from 1970 to 1990. This is a work of considerable scholarship with a long list of contributors (“some 60”) who he consulted and who helped him compile the work. Christopher served with 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards before serving with Firqat Forces from 1982 to 1987. He joined a team that contributed to the advancement of Firqa through the mentoring of the regular element, its transit

We offer warmest congratulations on behalf of the Association’s membership to two of our members whose commitment to SAF and Oman has been recognised very recently by the following awards. LIWA RUKN GERALD STRICKLAND CB DSO MBE WO As part of the 2025 National Day Celebrations, Major General Gez Strickland, the Senior British Loan Service Officer, was awarded the Order of Oman Military (Second Class). The award was presented by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said on 1

Eyre in Saladin at Old Defa, Oct '75 Many will have heard of the sad passing of Eyre Maunsell on 18th/19th December 2025. Eyre had been suffering from ill health for quite some time but remained remarkably cheerful and optimistic right up to the end. A family funeral was held following his death but bis sons, Oli and Giles have arranged a celebration of his life as detailed in the flyer reproduced below. Please follow the details in the flyer if you intend to join the famil

Commissioned into the 14th/20th King’s Hussars, John initially served in Germany but, seeking greater adventure, soon volunteered for loan service in Oman. Following attendance on the Beaconsfield Arabic course he arrived in SAF in August 1978, taking over as Squadron Leader of the Armoured Car Squadron in Thumrait. Then still equipped with Saladins, they supported Southern Oman Brigade, taking part in exercises and annual firing camps: but a period of great change was immine

We are sorry to report that Nick Holbrook passed away on the afternoon of Thursday 27th November in Yeovil Hospital. He had been unwell for some time. Nick was one of the earliest helicopter pilots to arrive in Dhofar when 3 (Heli) squadron was created in 1970 and served with skill and bravery during those early years. He subsequently transferred to the Royal Oman Police Air Wing and continued his service in the Sultanate of Oman. A detailed obituary will be published in t

We would like to draw attention to a lecture coming up next month organised by the British Omani Society (BOS), which we believe that SAF...

With regrettably short notice we have been able to add another edition of the South East Regional Lunch to the list of events. Nick...

RNOV Shabab Oman II will visit Portsmouth en-route back to Oman after the Tall Ships Race. The Captain has very kindly offered the...

A memorial service celebrating the life of David Mason, click this link to his obituary , will be held on Wednesday 23 July 2025 at 14:30...