SAF military panel takes stock of Mekunu storm
MUSCAT: The Military Committee for the Management of Emergency Situations at the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) held its meeting on Wednesday at SAF headquarters in Muaskar Al Murtafa’a to examine all matters related to preparations for dealing with the tropical storm Mekunu.
The meeting was chaired by Brigadier Hamad bin Rashid al Balushi, SAF Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations and Planning, SAF Representative in the National Committee for Civil Defence and Chairman of the Military Committee for the Management of Emergency Situations in the presence of the members of the Committee representing SAF corps, the Royal Guard of Oman, the Sultan Special Force, the Engineering Services at the Ministry of Defence and the National Survey Authority.
The committee was briefed on all the preparations taken since the first announcement of the tropical storm Mekunu and the activation of the sub-committees in the governorates expected to be affected by this tropical storm.
The meeting reviewed the readiness of units at the Ministry of Defence and SAF in providing support for citizens and residents in meeting with the situation. For its part, the Firaq Forces of the Royal Army of Oman (RAO) will contribute to the guidance of citizens and residents to safe areas.
The SAF Signal Corp transferred communications equipment to the Governorate of Dhofar to support and secure satellite communications. The Royal Air Force of Oman also provides search and rescue services, evacuation and flying doctor services. The Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) will provide diving teams for search and rescue in the sea, and hydrographic surveys of the affected areas. Both the Royal Guard of Oman (RGO) and the Sultan’s Special Force (SSF) provide the necessary support to SAF and others. The Engineering Services at the Ministry of Defence will provide the necessary technical equipment and support the relevant government agencies, in addition to the transfer of supplies and the opening of roads and passages.
The committee follows up the work of the subcommittees and all formations and units deployed in the field, according to the developments of the situation and according to the general plan of the Military Committee for the Management of Emergency Situations and under the direct supervision and follow-up of Lt Gen Ahmed bin Harith al Nabhani, SAF Chief of Staff.
Brigadier Hamad bin Rashid al Balushi, SAF Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations and Planning, said that the SAF Corps and Engineering Services at the Ministry of Defence are fully prepared to deal with Mekunu, according to the requirements of the situation.
He stressed that SAF Corps will spare no effort in carrying out their national duty in the service of citizens and residents of the governorates and wilayats that might be affected by the situation.