Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR Mk 4 fighter jets and a Voyager air-to-air refueller arrived at the Air Exercise area in Dhofar Governorate, Oman, this week to prepare for Exercise MAGIC CARPET, an annual bilateral exercise with the RAF of Oman. The Typhoons of II (AC) Squadron RAF Lossiemouth and 12 Squadron RAF Coningsby, and a Voyager from RAF Brize Norton with over 300 RAF support personnel have now started the two-week exercise. The RAF will be working with the RAF of Oman to deliver air-to-ground and air-to-air refuelling training to RAF and Omani pilots.
“We are delighted to be invited to Exercise MAGIC CARPET. The exercise is all about integrating with our Omani colleagues, practicing different scenarios in the skies over Oman,” said Wing Commander Wright Officer Commanding 12 Squadron.
“During the two-week exercise we will be conducting challenging flying missions together with our Omani colleagues, continuing to build on our close longstanding relationship with Oman. We are working together very much as equal partners in the relationship. Integrating every element of our operations from planning to briefing, flying and debriefing. We have received a warm welcome from our Omani hosts and look forward to our opportunities to socialise together after work as well,” said Detachment Commander and Officer Commanding II (AC) Squadron.
The Exercise strengthens the Royal Air Force’s role as a key partner for Oman, demonstrates its ability to deploy world class capabilities and deliver high quality training opportunities. This bilateral, multi-domain exercise, while not unique, provides further evidence of the United Kingdom’s integrated approach to defence and foreign policy and the UK’s enduring commitment to working with Oman and Gulf partners on promoting regional security and stability.
