Page 59 - Light Dragoons 2022 CREST

the point where a slick final attack through a large wadi impressed several observing dignitaries including foreign secretaries, ambassadors and Omani heads of services.
Ex Musandam Fort also fell under my responsibilities as LO but this time, as a smaller exercise, I was fortunate enough to be placed as the lead British planner for the exercise. A smaller but more logisti- cally tricky exercise, this was my favourite of the two. Not only was the British contin- gent exclusively from the Scots DG which therefore allowed me to return to my light cavalry roots, but it was to take place in the Musandam Peninsula (Oman’s Gibraltar) situated on the southern edge of the stra- tegically sensitive Straits of Hormuz. The Scots DG would be the first Light Cav to operate here. Unlike Ex Khanjar Oman, they would be operating at reach - 1200km from the rest of the BG - with another coun- try (the UAE) in between. They would be fully integrated, living, eating, exercising, and training with the Omanis in a very dif- ferent, mountainous terrain. As an added bonus, the Scots DG OC who accompanied the contingent was Nick Taylor who, as a fellow LD, gained some back-up in the inter regimental banter between us and the Scots DG. The exercise itself, though shorter in duration, presented some unique opportunities. The 25 odd person- nel that deployed were moved circa 700km by land to Wudam naval base on the north coast of Oman where they boarded a Royal
Navy of Oman vessel. From here they sailed to Musandam and then inserted 50km through the mountain passes to the training area closed to most foreign- ers around Al Rawdah. When they finally arrived, the Tp settled in for the next week of living and working with the Musandam Security Force (MSF). This involved get- ting used to eating traditional Omani style with the right hand only, doing Omani PT through the Wadis and learning how for- mation reconnaissance can operate in the mountains all the while supported by the MSF and Royal Air Force of Oman. When the Scots DG returned, they did so as the first British Army unit to operate in the strategically sensitive Musandam penin- sula in roughly 30 years, the only light cav- alry unit to have gained mountain experi- ence in recent history and as the only one to have worked with all three branches of the Omani MOD. Furthermore, they had gained some Arabic from some informal lessons and much better knowledge of Omani cuisine.
While both exercises presented a genu- inely challenging and rewarding experi- ence, I would be lying if I said the whole job was all work and no play. Living in the British embassy for three months pre- sented some unique opportunities. From a professional perspective, it was fascinat- ing to gain an insight into UK foreign policy in the Gulf and how other embassy departments and military domains operate
– serving as caddy for Col Bertie in the first post-covid British vs American Embassy golf tournament was one such eye opener. Weekends, bar those during the exercise, were an excellent opportunity to explore both Muscat and wider Oman and I can thoroughly recommend exploring Nizwa, Jebel Akdhar, Wadi Shab and other similar sights in the northern mountains for any- one travelling in Oman. For those wanting to stay closer to Muscat, the Souq allow you to obtain all measure of goods from dishda- shas to daggers. The diving off the coast is among some of the best in the world and the many of the hotels are among the few places in the country where you can find a beer to help deal with the 35 to 40 degree heat and humidity. Likewise, the food is fantastic and the Omanis are some of the friendliest and most hospitable people you will meet on any travel.
In all, the job as an LO in Oman was one of those incredible, unique opportunities that only the Army offers, and I would thoroughly recommend it to any soldier or officer in the future. With the Regiment due to deploy out on Ex Khanjar Oman later this year it may not be that far away that such a job offer comes around again. What is certain, is that the Regiment can definitely look forward to a unique, chal- lenging and enjoyable deployment both in terms of professional training, AT, travel and cultural exposure.
AS
The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons
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