RAF Sharjah

RAF Sharjah from Sharjah Fort
(Photograph taken in the 1960s at Sharjah in the Trucial States)
The British Royal Air Force station RAF Sharjah was situated next to Sharjah Fort. There was a packed-sand air strip and a control tower, and IAL carried out the maintenance of all radio and navigational aid equipment. In the early 1960s the squadron was flying Hawker Hunter fighter jets.

There were no civil flights to Sharjah, the nearest civil airport being at Dubai.

The Sergeants' Mess was particularly welcoming to IAL staff, and the author can remember one glorious morning out riding with the riding club. The route led through dunes to the sea, and when the horses smelled the water they were given their head. It was the author's first time on a horse, and suddenly this great beast was galloping full pelt across the dunes and down onto the sands with the author clinging on for very life. It was quite an experience - it beat the usual British riding school introduction to things equestrian.