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made available at RAF Akrotiri and at Dhekelia for "nited States
forces during their deployment to the Canal Zone for the mine
clearance operation. The Royal Air Force also provided a regular
airlift of spares and fresh food for the Royal Navy task force
engaged in the operations.
Oman
57.
Personnel loaned from the three Services continued to assist
the Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces in their successful prosecution
of the war against the rebels in Dhofar, the south-west province
of Oman. British Army and Royal Air Force personnel continue to assist in
running Salalah airfield and defending it against rebel attacks.
Wessex helicopters and support crews were loaned temporarily to the
Sultan's Air Force. A detachment of Royal Engineers has been
assisting in military engineering and civil development projects
in Dhofar; and a British Army Training Team, which includes a
detachment of the SAS Regiment, continues to give training assistance
to the Sultan's Armed Forces.
The Far East
58.
Group deployments of HM Ships to the Far Fast began in 1973,
when the cruiser HMS Tiger and the fleet submarine HMS Dreadnought,
with accompanying frigates and support ships, deployed to the Far East in company, for parts of the deployment, with ships of the Royal
Netherlands Navy. A group of ships, including the guided-missile
destroyer HMS Fife, was deployed to the Indian Ocean area in 1974.
returning to the United Kingdom in September. A further group, including
the helicopter cruiser HMS Blake and the fleet
submarine HMS Warspite, is now in the area.
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