"We downsized - - in 1968"
Well, I spent 1968 in Sharjah where we had a Sqn of Mk 1 Andovers, a Sqn of Wessex and a sizeable Shackleton Detatchment. We also had RAF Airfields at Masirah and Salalah and SOAF was RAF Manned. There were 2 FGA Hunter Sqns at Bahrain plus Comms aircraft. I think that you will find that these Sqns and the Far East ones did not withdraw until 1969/70.