AWARDS TO MEMBERS

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 16 November at a ceremony at Al Barakah Royal Palace. General Strickland was then further honoured in the 2026 British New Years’ Honours List, being made a Companion of the Order of the Bath. Both awards recognise his outstanding contribution to the relationship between our two nations since taking up his role in January 2024.

MQM RUKN (BAHRI) ISSA BIN SALEEM AL JAHWARI

On Accession Day, 11 January, Mqm Rukn (Bahri) Issa Al Jahwari was awarded the Royal Commendation Order (Third Class) by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik in recognition of his service as Captain of RNOV Shabab Oman II from 2020 - 2025. In that time, he steered ship and crew through some 45,000 sea miles at the forefront of a magnificent era of Oman’s maritime diplomacy. The award was presented by His Highness Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs, at a special ceremony at Muaskar Al Murtafa’a,