Page 27 - QARANC Vol 17 No 2 2019

Exercise KHANJAR OMAN 19 Adventurous Training
As End Ex was called on Exercise KHANJAR OMAN 19 and the hospital collapsed and closed for business, the staff of the Joint Expeditionary Force Field Hospital (JEFFH) set off towards Muscat for two days of adventure training (AT). After a long eight hour bus journey from Duqm we arrived at Musannah Air Base where we would be accommodated for the duration of the trip.
On the morning of the first day of planned activities, we arrived at the Al Mouj Marina in Muscat. It was here that we were met by representatives of Oman Sail and soon set out on a one hour boat ride across to a small group of uninhabited islands – the Daymaniyat Islands. As anchors were dropped we jumped from the boats and had opportunity to snorkel the coral reef below us. It was incredible to be surrounded by many different tropical fish and even have close encounters with sea turtles who did not fear our presence. It really was amazing to see these creatures so close up. We were really fortunate to be allowed to set foot on the islands as it is prohibited to land on them during the sea turtles mating season, which was imminent, meaning the sea turtles were far greater in number than we could have hoped to see. After snorkelling, we headed back to the salubrious al Mouj Marina and went in search of every soldier’s dream... a Nandos!
Having spent the past 12 weeks in a 3km2 camp, and with our bellies full of chicken, we headed to downtown Muscat where we put our haggling skills to practice in the 400 year old indoor souk. With stalls lined for as far as the eye could see there were many treasures to be found and souvenirs to be bought. We returned to the air base laden with patterned trousers, bangles and scarves ready for a good night’s sleep after a busy day.
Day two of activities dawned and we set off to spend the day at Millennium Resort, Musannah. Hosted again by Oman Sail we honed our skills in kayaking, dinghy sailing and stand-up paddle boarding. Some took to the stand-up paddle boarding naturally, however it was evident in the group that some people’s balance was not
as good as others. At the end of our training we had an eventful dinghy
Sailing and paddle-boarding on Exercise KHANJAR OMAN
sailing race, which nearly became an open water, transcontinental race for one team!
The inflatable obstacle course on water was challenging and definitely separated the ‘men from the boys’. Having to navigate your way over a moving, slippery obstacle course whilst fighting for prime front position and regretting how much you ate for lunch was no mean feat. After many acrobatic dismounts, some more graceful than others, and the finish
Snorkelling to see beautiful Greenback sea turtles
line reached by all, it can be said that everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
As the AT trip came to an end and we embarked on our epic eight hour return journey to Duqm, it was clear that everyone had had a really great time and appreciated the opportunity to see more of Oman.
Corporal Emily Johnson
The Gazette QARANC Association 25