The United Kingdom and Oman have a long, well established defence relationship, based on shared objectives of peace and stability in the region, and the continuation of a relationship established with His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, since his graduation from the Royal Military College Sandhurst, in 1962. This week, two young Royal Air Force of Oman, Officer Cadet Abdullah Musabah al Salhi and Officer Cadet Laith Mohammed al Bahri, graduated from another, no less prestigious institution, the Royal Air Force College Cranwell, following in the footsteps of Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, and more recently his son, Prince William. The two young officers graduated in Omani uniform, on a bitterly cold winter’s morning, alongside 148 other officer cadets.
Even they, however, must have been proud and excited, as Air Vice-Marshal Hedley singled out the two as representing their nation “with distinction throughout their course” in a practical demonstration of the “impeccable relationship shared with Oman.” He reflected upon his own involvement in the recent Saif Sareea Three ‘Swift Sword,’ joint military exercises in the Sultanate, and expressed his pleasure at the achievements of the two Omani cadets. The Air Vice-Marshal spoke briefly with both during his review of the parade, demonstrating a genuine interest in their officer training experiences, and their future postings.
“I guess we noticed the cold,” said Officer Cadet Al Salhi during the evening celebration dinner, “but I was determined to do everything right while on parade, to keep in step while we were marching. Then to hear the AVM speak so well of Oman, it just made me feel so proud. It’s amazing when a boy who grew up in the tiny village of Khadra Al Borashid, in Suwaiq, can represent his country in this way.” His fellow graduate Officer Cadet Al Bahri, from Wadi Maawel, in Barka, shared those sentiments saying, “It’s the whole experience of this day. My hands were so cold I couldn’t feel the ceremonial sword in my hand while we were at attention, but when I heard those words during the speech, I felt very emotional and very proud.”
The ceremonial parade consisted of a parade review in front of invited military VIP’s, special guests, family and friends, where the Band of the Royal Air Force Cranwell provided the musical accompaniment to the review of the Queen’s Squadron precision drill and marching display by the graduating officer cadets from every branch of the Royal Air Force, a fly past by a Tornado IX from ‘B’ Squadron, and finally the ceremonial march off by the cadets, this time marching as officers.
The two reflected on their training later, explaining that “Sometimes, especially when its wet and cold, covered in mud, only a couple of hours sleep, eating ration pack food, you are pushed to your limits, but you look around, you see another cadet needs help and you help without even thinking.” Al Bahri said, “It is definitely ‘character building,’ as they say here, and we’ve learned so much about leadership through the different experiences, activities and training, we can’t wait to get home and put that training to good use.” The graduates were lauded at a luncheon in the Officers Mess, where the Base Commander, Air Commodore Squires OBE, offered the toast to the new officers, again singling out the two Omanis for their achievements, and the need for continued similar exchanges, as he put it, “enriching all of us as people and as officers.”
A Graduation Ball and Formal Dinner took place in the evening, with graduates impressive in their mess dress uniforms, and the ‘scrolls’ were read out from the Rotunda at midnight, as is tradition at Cranwell, with each graduate’s full name and new rank announced as published in the London Gazette. The loudest cheers of the night were for Pilot Officer Laith Mohammed al Bahri, and Pilot Officer Abdullah Musabah al Salhi, demonstrating that they had earned the respect and admiration of their peers. The two young men embraced, sharing a moment, and then disappeared among the congratulations and celebrations of the other 148 graduates. It surely was for them, a day to remember!
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