Originally Posted by A2QFI
At Thumrait we would take it in turns, one day the Carrier Group would attack Thumrait and the next day the Thumrait 'Wing' would attack them. One day an USN aircraft diverted in with some minor mech problem and the pilot was taken to the bar. In the meantime his aircraft was searched and we found a strike plan for the next day. As a result we were able to lie in wait, or fly in wait, and catch a load of aircraft, short of fuel and queuing for the tankers somewhere about 100 miles South east of Thumrait. Lots of easy 'kills' that day!
On the US Navy side (from the cockpit of a Tomcat), we used to call these exercises Beacon Flash in the 80s and we weren't allowed to discuss it pre Desert Shield due to sensitivity of operating inside Oman. Needless to say flying over Oman, and in what we called Star Wars Canyon and having a chance to fight some outstanding aviators was the highlight of the deployment, bar none. In fact, looking back, I'd say that type of training where we never knew where we would encounter Jags or Hunters or how many for that matter was the very best peacetime training I ever did in over 20 years of service and that includes Red Flag, Fallon/Topgun or with any other dedicated adversary units. Instead of canned routes or defined areas or altitudes, anything went and you had to be looking out for anything anytime. My hat is doffed to some real pros! First one's on me, anytime!