JOINT DRILL CONCLUDES WITH LIVE AMMUNITION
Amid strong winds on Saturday, the site of the finale for Omanbritain joint military exercises — Al Shumookh 2 and Al Saif Al Sareea 3 — came alive with live ammunition (fire power demonstration).
Delegated by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Sayyid Badr bin Saud al Busaidy, Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs, presided over the final practical demonstration of exercises Al Shumookh 2 and Al Saif Al Sareea 3 which was carried out by the Sultan’s Armed Forces and the British Royal Armed Forces.
The closing ceremony was attended by British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson.
The fire power demonstration was carried out by Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF), Royal Guard of Oman (RGO), the Sultan’s Special Forces and the British allied forces.
It took place at two different locations — air and naval forces’ exercise in Ghabbat Bantoot, and air and land forces’ exercise in Mahout.
The event attended by officials from SAF, British Armed Forces, security and military units, representatives from civil organisations, dignitaries, shaikhs, governors and media personnel.
The joint military exercises were aimed at enhancing combat and operational skills of the forces.
They demonstrated full integration between the different units in the successful destruction of enemy positions. The maritime and air components showcased the artillery support that can be provided for land troops, especially with amphibious landing in the Bantoot Beach.
According to experts, environment can be one of the biggest challenges for amphibious landing but that can be overcome by the use of right equipment. Offensive operations were conducted with live ammunition, in addition to landing operations alongside the navy, and coordinating efforts of the joint combined land, air and naval forces to highlight the power and effectiveness of joint fire power.
The focus was on planning, preparation, movement and practise and then the assault. For the land exercise, there was a combination of operations by land and air forces.