COS 59/72
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE
——————————————
REINFORCEMENT
OF MASIRAH
AND
SALALAH WITH RAF REGIMENT PERSONNEL
JOINT THEATRE PLAN (EAST) NO 101 – OPERATION WIGWAM
Note by the Secretary
1. The Chiefs of Staff have approved (1) the report (2) at Annex A. In approving the report the Chiefs of Staff agreed to instruct the United Kingdom Commanders-in-Chief Committee (Overseas) to issue Joint Theatre Plan (East) No 101 in accordance with Annex A.
B G T STANBRIDGE
Air Commodore
Secretary
Chiefs of Staff Committee
Annex:
Notes:
Ministry of Defence
Main Building
Whitehall, SW1
18 May 1972
REINFORCEMENT OF MASIRAH AND SALALAH WITH RAF REGIMENT PERSONNEL JOINT THEATRE PLAN (EAST) NUMBER 101 – OPERATION WIGWAM
INTRODUCTION
1. Although Northern Oman and the coastal areas opposite Masirah are currently quiet the potential for dissidence exists close to the surface. The present establishment of RAF Masirah would be unable to provide adequate defence if the security of the airfield was threatened and therefore reinforcement by a RAF Regiment squadron would be necessary.
2. In Dhofar Province hard-core communist rebels are active in the hills overlooking Salalah airfield. The security and close defence of the airfield is the responsibility of the RAF detachment there, which in turn relies on the Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF) supported by attached British Forces for the general defence of the Salalah area. Should SAF be unable to contain rebel activity at an acceptable level it would be necessary to reinforce the RAF Regiment detachment at the airfield up to squadron strength.
3. The Near East Air Force (NEAF) produced a plan (1) for the reinforcement of Masirah and/or Salalah with the necessary RAF Regiment personnel. After initial Foreign and Commonwealth Office and MOD examination, NEAF's plan (1) was rewritten by the Commanders-in-Chief Committee (West) (CICC(West)) to conform with the standard format of Joint Theatre Plans. That plan (2) replaced the previous plan (3) on 14 December 1971 and was therefore circulated for use should the need arise (4).
AIM
4. To examine Joint Theatre Plan (East) No 101 (Revised Final) (JTP (East) 101) – Operation WIGWAM (5).
OUTLINE OF THE PLAN
SCOPE
5. The plan provides for three options:
FORCES REQUIRED
CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS
8. Request for Reinforcements. Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOCinC) NEAF after consultation with HM Ambassador, Muscat, would be responsible for warning us when reinforcements may be required so that forces could be brought to short notice (24 hours). AOC-in-C NEAF would also request the despatch of reinforcements through the Ministry of Defence to the United Kingdom Commanders-in-Chief Committee (Overseas) (UK CICC(Overseas)) and HQ Air Support Command (ASC).
9. Method of Deployment. Using the CENTO (preferred) or Westabout (alternative) route:
Leading Elements |
Complete |
|
(1) Masirah |
36 hours |
45 hours |
(2) Salalah (using one Andover
from Masirah) |
39 hours |
45 hours |
11. The Officer Commanding (OC) RAF Masirah, or the OC RAF Detachment Salalah, as appropriate, would assume responsibility for the logistic support of reinforcements from arrival.
12. Units would deploy with equipment scales adequate for self-supporting operations in the field. First line scales of ammunition would be carried' subsequent resupply of ammunition, if required, would be from stocks held at RAF Masirah.
COMMAND AND CONTROL
13. On arrival at Masirah or Salalah all reinforcements would come under the command of AOCinC NEAF. AOCinC ASC would retain operational command and control of Strategic Transport and Tactical Transport (Medium Range) aircraft.
OUR VIEWS
14. The plan meets the requirements for the reinforcement of Masirah and/or Salalah with RAF personnel.
CONCLUSION
15. We conclude that JTP(East) 101 (Revised Final)
- Operation
WIGWAM meets the requirement.