Oman Country Handbook

This handbook provides basic reference information on Oman, including its ge-
ography, history, government, military forces, and communications and trans-
portation networks. This information is intended to familiarize military per­sonnel
with local customs and area knowledge to assist them during their assignment
to Oman.
The Marine Corps Intel­ligence Activity is the community coordinator for the
Country Hand­book Program. This product reflects the coordinated U.S. Defense
Intelligence Community position on Oman.
Dissemination and use of this publication is restricted to official military and
government personnel from the United States of America, United Kingdom,
Canada, Australia, NATO member countries, and other countries as required
and designated for support of coalition operations.
The photos and text reproduced herein have been extracted solely for research,
comment, and information reporting, and are intended for fair use by designated
personnel in their official duties, including local reproduction for training. Further
dissemination of copyrighted material contained in this docu­ment, to include
excerpts and graphics, is strictly prohibited under Title 17, U.S. Code.
ii
Contents
Key Facts ..................................................................... 1
U.S. MISSION .................................................................. 2
U.S. Embassy ............................................................... 2
Tourism ........................................................................ 2
Travel Advisories ......................................................... 3
Passport and Visa Requirements . ................................ 3
Customs ....................................................................... 4
Geography and Climate ..................................... 4
Geography . .................................................................. 4
Statistics ................................................................. 4
Topography ............................................................. 6
Environment ............................................................... 11
Transportation and Communication  . ........ 11
Transportation .............................................................. 11
Roads ..................................................................... 11
Railroads . ............................................................... 11
Maritime ................................................................. 12
Civil Aviation . ........................................................ 15
Radio and Television . ............................................. 15
Telephones .............................................................. 16
Newspapers ............................................................. 16
Satellites . ................................................................ 17
Culture ........................................................................ 17
People . ......................................................................... 17
Education ..................................................................... 17
Religion . ...................................................................... 19
iii
Contents (Continued)

Customs ....................................................................... 20
Gestures .................................................................. 21
Basic Arab Religious Attitudes . ............................. 21
Basic Arab Self-perceptions . .................................. 22
Friendship ............................................................... 22
Professional Relationships ...................................... 24
Sensitive Subjects . .................................................. 25
Personal Space ........................................................ 25
Hospitality . ............................................................. 26
Family and Social Interaction ................................. 27
Rules of Etiquette . .................................................. 28
Medical Assessment . ............................................ 30
Infectious Disease Risks to Deployed Personnel ......... 30
Medical Capabilities .................................................... 33
History ......................................................................... 35
Government and Politics . ................................ 40
Government ................................................................. 40
National Level . ....................................................... 40
Local Level ............................................................. 41
Judicial Branch ....................................................... 41
Principal Government Officials .............................. 41
Economy ...................................................................... 42
Statistics ....................................................................... 48
Armed Forces . .......................................................... 49
Key Military Officials . ................................................ 50
Army ............................................................................ 50
Equipment . ............................................................. 51
Air Force ...................................................................... 53
Equipment . ............................................................. 55
iv
Contents (Continued)

Mission and Doctrine ............................................. 56

Deployment . ........................................................... 57
Aircraft Acquisition and Modernization ................ 57
Training .................................................................. 58
Gulf Cooperation Council ...................................... 58
Navy . ........................................................................... 58
Deployment . ........................................................... 59
Equipment . ............................................................. 59
Plans and Programs ................................................ 60
Paramilitary Forces ..................................................... 60
Aircraft ................................................................... 60
Coast Guard ................................................................. 61
Ships ....................................................................... 61

APPENDICES
Equipment Recognition . ................................................... A-1
International Time Zones . ................................................ B-1
Conversion Charts . ........................................................... C-1
Holidays ............................................................................ D-1
Language . ......................................................................... E-1
International Road Signs ................................................... F-1
Deployed Personnel’s Guide to Health Maintenance ........ G-1
Individual Protective Measures . ....................................... H-1
Dangerous Plants and Animals ......................................... I-1
International Telephone Codes . ........................................ J-1

v
Contents (Continued)

Illustrations
Oman ................................................................................ vii
National Flag . ................................................................... 1
U.S. Embassy .................................................................... 3
Middle East ....................................................................... 5
Topography ....................................................................... 7
Land Use ........................................................................... 8
Hajir Mountains ................................................................ 9
Muscat and Salalah Weather . ........................................... 10
Rural Highway .................................................................. 11
Muscat . ............................................................................. 12
Container Cranes, Mina Qaboos . ..................................... 13
Transportation ................................................................... 14
Population Density ............................................................ 18
Grand Mosque .................................................................. 19
Omani Man ....................................................................... 24
Omani Woman .................................................................. 26
Omani Boy . ...................................................................... 27
Village ............................................................................... 28
Petroleum Refinery ........................................................... 42
Industry ............................................................................. 43
Palm Tree Farm ................................................................ 44
Fish Market ....................................................................... 45
Immigrant Workers ........................................................... 46
Agriculture ........................................................................ 47

vi
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Oman

vii
Key Facts
Official Name.
Conventional long form. Sultanate of Oman
Conventional short form. Oman
Local long form. Saltanat Uman
Local short form. Uman
Flag. Three horizontal bands of white, red, and green of equal
width with a broad vertical red band on the hoist side; the na-
tional emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on
two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered near the top
of the vertical band
Chief of State and Head of Government. Sultan and Prime
Minister Qaboos bin Said al-Said
Capital. Muscat
Population. 3,311,640
Languages. Arabic (official), English, Farsi, Baluchi, Urdu, and
Indian dialects are also found

National Flag

1
Currency. Omani rial (OMR); 1 rial=1,000 baiza. Note denomi-
nations 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 rials and 100, 200, 500 baiza; coin denomi-
nations 5, 10, 25, and 50 baiza.
Exchange rate. US$1=OMR0.3845 The rial is pegged to the dol-
lar; the conversion rate does not change
Time Zone. UTC (formerly GMT) + 4 hours.
Fiscal year. Calendar year (Islamic calendar)

U.S. MISSION
U.S. Embassy

Location P.O. Box 202,

Medinat Al Sultan Qaboos 115
Sultanate of Oman
Telepone (968) 698-989
(968) 699-049 after 1600
Telex: 3785
Fax [968] 604-316
Web Address http://www.usia.gov/posts/muscat

Tourism
Tourism was restricted until 1985. Now it is still strictly controlled.
Attractions, apart from the capital itself, include Nizwa, the an-
cient capital of the interior, Dhofar, and the forts of Nakhl, Rustaq,
and Al-Hazm. In 1994 Oman had 358,000 visitors, and tourist
receipts for that year totaled US$88 million.

2
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U.S. Embassy

Travel Advisories
The Department of State issues travel advisories concerning serious
health or security conditions that may affect U.S. citizens. Current
advisories are available from the embassy or consulates. Military
personnel should leave a detailed itinerary with their commanding
officers if they plan to travel.

Passport and Visa Requirements

A valid passport and visa are required for entry into Oman un-
less a “Non-Objection Certificate” is arranged through an Omani
3
sponsor prior to entry. Omani embassies and consulates now issue
2-year, multiple-entry tourist and business visas to qualified U.S.
personnel. Evidence of yellow fever immunization is required if
the traveler enters from an infected area. To obtain a visa or de-
tails on entry and travel requirements, contact the Embassy of the
Sultanate of Oman, 2535 Belmont Road N.W., Washington, D.C.
20008, telephone (202) 387-1980/2.

Customs
Travelers entering Oman may not carry with them firearms, am-
munition, or pornography; all are subject to seizure. No more
than one bottle of liquor is permitted per non-Muslim adult.
Unaccompanied baggage and shipments of household goods are
also subject to inspection. Books, video tapes, and audio tapes
may be reviewed prior to being released to the owner. A copy of
the packing list is required to clear effects through customs.

Geography and Climate

Geography
Statistics
Boundaries
North (undefined) United Arab Emirates
410 kilometers (255 miles)
Northwest (undefined) Saudi Arabia
676 kilometers (420 miles)
Southwest Yemen 288 kilometers (179 miles)
East (coastline) Arabian Sea
2,092 kilometers (1,300 miles)
4
Land Area 212,470 square
kilometers (132,020 square miles)
Comparative Slightly smaller than Kansas

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Middle East

5
Topography
Oman lies on the southeast corner of the Arabian Peninsula, fac-
ing the Gulf of Oman to the northeast and the Arabian Sea to
the south. It has 2,092 kilometers (1,300 miles) of coastline. It
controls the Musandam Peninsula to the north, which is sepa-
rated from the rest of Oman by a portion of the United Arab
Emirates (UAE). The Musandam Peninsula overlooks the stra-
tegically important Strait of Hormuz. On the inland side, the
country extends into a desert, where the undefined border with
Saudi Arabia lies.

The Sultanate extends inland from the Gulf of Oman to the bor-
ders of Rub’ al Khali (Empty Quarter) across three geographic
divisions — a coastal plain, range of hills, and plateau. The
coastal plain varies in width from 16 kilometers (10 miles) near
Suwaiq to practically nothing near Mutrah and Muscat, where
the hills descend abruptly into the sea. The large desert central
plateau occupies most of the country except for the mountains
in the north and hills in the south. Very little vegetation or water
is found there.

Northern Oman is dominated by the Hajir Mountains, which rise

to over 3,300 meters (10,830 feet), dropping to a narrow coastal
plain in the north and the desert plain in the interior. The southern
extreme of Oman rises from the desert plain into the Dhofar hills.

Masirah Island, which consists of 132 square kilometers (51 square

miles) of barren rocky land, sits offshore in the Arabian Sea.

6
Climate
Oman has a desert climate with exceptionally hot and humid
months from April to October, when temperatures can reach
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Topography
7
47°C (117°F). From December to the end of March, the climate
is more temperate. The regional variations between the northern
and southern parts of the country, and the mountainous and pla-
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Land Use
8
teau areas, are marked. The Hajir Mountains and the higher part
of the Jebel Akhadar plateau, both in the north, receive higher
rainfall amounts and have slightly lower temperatures due to
their elevation. The resulting climate is more temperate than
that found elsewhere in Oman. Average annual rainfall in the
upper Hajir Mountains is a modest 50 centimeters (20 inches),
but this far exceeds most of the country’s rainfall of 8 to 10 cen-
timeters (3 to 4 inches) annually. The interior desert plateau is
very hot and dry.
Although the temperatures are higher further inland, the climate
is made more bearable because the humidity decreases. The
southern tip of the country is also very hot and humid. It re-
ceives more rain due to light monsoon conditions between June
and September.

Hajir Mountains
9
Muscat and Salalah Weather

10
Environment
Oman has two primary environmental concerns. The first concern
is that Oman’s fresh water aquifers are becoming increasingly con-
taminated by saltwater intrusion. The second is that the oil spills
on the coastal regions have hurt the traditional fishing industry.

Transportation and Communication

Transportation
Roads
A network of adequate graded roads links all the main centers
of population; only a few mountain villages are not accessible by
four-wheel-drive vehicles. The main road connects Muscat in the
north with Salalah in the south. Unsealed roads of varying condi-
tions connect the remainder of the country.

Railroads
Oman does not have a railway network.

Rural Highway
11
Maritime
Oman has three major ports, two in the North, Mina Qaboos
(Muscat) and Mina al Fahal (Wudan) for light shipping. The other
port is in the South, Mina Raysut (Salalah)

Port of Muscat (Mina Qaboos). Port of Muscat (Mina Qaboos)

has 13 berths, nine mobile cranes as well as equipment for roll-on-
roll-off-operations. Berths One and Two have three 40-ton cranes.
Berths Four and Five are 366 meters (1,200 feet) long, have two
35-ton cranes available for off-loading and are 10.9 meters (35.8
feet) deep. The port operates one 150-ton and one 70-ton crane
and seven 3-30-ton cranes. Water is available by barge and shore
hydrants. Seeb International Airport is 35 kilometers away.
Berth Length, m (ft) Depth, m (ft)
1 and 2 458 (1,500) 13 (43)
3 228 (750) 11 (36)
4 and 5 366 (1,200) 10.9 (35.8)
6 183 (600) 10 (32.8)

Muscat
12
Berth Length, m (ft) Depth, m (ft)
7 and 8 183 (600) 9.6 (31.5)
9 122 (400) 4 (13)
10 183 (600) 4 (13)
11 223 (731) 9 (30)
12 160 (525) 8 (26)
13 152 (500) 2.2 (7)

Mina Raysut. Mina Raysut, near Salalah, is an all-weather port

with container facilities, two 15-ton stationary cranes, and two
6-ton stationary cranes. Mobile cranes, ranging from 5 to 70 tons,
are available. Their is an oil pier with 12-meter (39-foot) draft for
tankers up to 35,000 dwt. Salalah Airport is 26 kilometers (16
miles) away. Water is available from a shore connection.
Mina Al Fahal. Mina Al Fahal has three single buoy moorings for
transferring oil to tankers and two inshore berths for coastal tank-

Container Cranes, Mina Qaboos

13
ers. The inshore berths are at a depth of 4 meters (13 feet). Water
is available by barge. Seeb International Airport is 30 kilometers
(19 miles) away.
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Transportation
14
 Quay
Berth Capacity
Length, m (ft) Depth, m (ft)
1, 2, 3 520 (1,706) 9.5 (31) 15,000 dwt
4 200 (656) 8 (26) 6,000 dwt
5, 6, 7, 8 460 (1,509) 4 (13) 15,000 dwt
Multiple 260 (853) 3 (19) Launches, tugs, trawlers
dwt = dead weight tonnage

Civil Aviation
Domestic and international flights operate from Seeb and Salalah
International Airports. Air service in Oman is provided by Gulf
Aviation, Ltd, jointly owned by Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and Abu
Dhabi. International service is available to Europe, the United States,
Africa, and the Middle and Far East. Oman Aviation Services is
Oman’s domestic airline. It is an air-charter operation connecting
Oman’s smaller locales. Most towns have a small airstrip.

Name, Nearest Pop. Runway, measurements in m (ft)

Coordinates Center Elevation Length Surface
Muscat, 3,585 concrete/
Ruwi 32 km (20 mi) 14.7 (48)
23º35.6’N 58º16.8E (11,762) asphalt
Salalah, 3,340 asphalt, LCN
Salalah 3 km (2 mi) 22.3 (73)
17º2.2’N 54º5.3E (11,022) 100

Communications

Radio and Television

Radio Oman, operated by the Ministry of Interior, broadcasts 20
hours daily in Arabic, 14 hours in English. The BBC has a relay
station on Masirah Island, which provides reception for 6 hours
daily. Personal shortwave receiver is the only way to receive Voice
of America broadcasts. Fourteen radio stations operate in Oman,
3 AM, 9 FM, and 2 shortwave (SW). As of 1992, there were 1.043
15
million privately owned radios in Oman. Thirteen television sta-
tions operate in Oman, in addition to 25 repeater stations. As of
1992, their were 1.195 million televisions in the country.

Telephones
According to a 2006 estimate there were 278,300 telephones in
Oman. The local telephone system is good. International telephone
and telegraph services are available with occasional delays. In 1992
it cost US$5.00 per minute to call the United States, although calls
from the United States to Oman cost considerably less.

The telephone system uses open wire, microwave, radiotelephone

communications stations, and limited coaxial cable. The domestic
telephone system is linked through open wire, microwave, radio-
telephone communications, and a domestic satellite system with
eight earth stations. The international system uses two Intelsat
(Indian Ocean) and one Arabsat satellites for communication.

Newspapers
Oman publishes four major daily newspapers with a combined cir-
culation of 76,060. Two of the papers, Al-Watan (The Nation), cir-
culation 23,500, and Oman Daily, circulation 15,560, are in Arabic.
The Oman Daily Observer, circulation 22,000, and the Times of
Oman, circulation 15,000, are published in English. Foreign news-
papers and magazines are available in the larger hotels in Muscat
and are usually a few days old. These publications are also avail-
able in the Holiday Inn hotel in Salalah. A bimonthly handbook,
entitled Oman Today, is widely available. Each issue lists clubs,
activities, restaurants, and entertainment.

16
Satellites
Oman has eight local satellite earth stations, two Intelsat earth sta-
tions (Indian Ocean), and one Arabsat earth station.

Culture
People
The population of Oman is almost entirely Arab (90 percent) with
minority groups of Baluchis, Iranians, and Africans. The first of-
ficial census was held in 1993. Most people live on the Batinah
coastal plain in the north, where 40 percent of the cultivated farm-
land is found, and Salalah plain in the southern province of Dhofar.
Agriculture employs about 70 percent of the population, but that
number is declining as the urban population is increasing.
At one time, Oman had one of the highest percentages of nomads
of any country in the world. The remainder of the population is
divided between farmers and townspeople. Many Baluchis and
Indians work as laborers and shopkeepers, respectively, in Muscat
and Matrah, the principal ports in the capital area.

Education
In the last 25 years, education in Oman has undergone an amazing
transformation. From three schools in 1970, schools of various types
and levels in Oman now number 976, providing education to more
than a half million students in every corner of the country. Primary
and secondary education is free in government schools. Oman also
has a British school, a British-American academy, and many Indian
schools for the expatriate populations. Oman’s first national university
was opened in 1986. Sultan Qaboos University, with its six Colleges
of Science, Medicine, Engineering, Arts, Agriculture, and Education
17
and Islamic Studies, is the apex of the country’s educational system. In
addition, there are numerous teacher training colleges and vocational
training institutes preparing students for diverse careers.
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Population Density
18
Religion
In circa AD 630, Oman was one of the first countries to embrace
Islam, with the Ibadhi sect becoming prominent. Islam remains
the foundation of the country’s legal and political systems. Omani
society is traditionally Islamic, yet reasonably tolerant of other
religions. Ibadhi sect followers make up 75 percent of the Arab
population; the remaining 25 percent is divided between Sunni,
Shi’a, and Wahabi Muslims. The Ibadhis may have early origins
in the Khawarij, a faction that disagreed with Ali, the fourth
Caliph of Islam. Many of the traditions and rituals found in Sunni
and Shi’a Islam are not followed by the Ibadhis, who stress the
importance of proper belief, righteous conduct, and the supreme
authority of the Koran. Of the world’s 500 million Muslims, only
1 million are Ibadhi; most of them live in Oman. Outside Oman
there are only scattered Ibadhi communities in North Africa, India,
and Pakistan. Through much of Ibadhi history, there has been an
Imam (leader). In theory, all believing males selected the Imam,
but in practice, tribal leaders selected the Imam. His duty was

Grand Mosque
19
to rule the true Muslims, (i.e., the Ibadhis) and force heretics—
including the Sunnis and Shi’as—to follow him. Unlike Sunni and
Shi’a Muslims, the Ibadhi sect believes that any Muslim with the
right qualities can be elected Imam. Differing religions brought to
Oman by expatriates are tolerated.
Shari’a, or Islamic law, is compiled from the following sources: the
Koran, revelations of Allah to the prophet Mohammed; Hadith, sayings
of Mohammed; sunnah, traditions; consensus among the ulema
(Islamic scholars); and analogy. Shari’a contains Islamic doctrines of
monotheism, angels, prophets, revelations (i.e., books), predestination,
and final judgment. There are five “pillars” (i.e., practices) prescribed
by Shari’a that are observed by all Muslims—Shahadah, a declaration
of faith; Doa, ritual prayer and ablutions performed five times daily;
Zakah, almsgiving; Ramadan, fasting during daylight hours during
the month of Ramadan; and Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca once in a
lifetime. Prayer times are as follows: fajr (dawn), dhuhr (noon), asr
(afternoon), maghrib (dusk), isha (night). Muslims may pray inside a
mosque or outside, even on a busy sidewalk or in the desert. The only
stipulation is that they pray facing Mecca.

Customs
Although the Arab nations are geographically, politically, and eco-
nomically diverse, Arabs are more culturally homogeneous than
Westerners. All Arabs share basic beliefs and values that cross
national or social class boundaries. Social attitudes have remained
relatively constant because Arab society is more conservative and
demands conformity from its members. Even the beliefs of non-
Muslim Arabs are greatly influenced by Islam. While Arab soci-
ety conforms to specific cultural patterns, it is very important for
the Western observer to be able to identify these cultural patterns
and distinguish them from individual behavior.
20
Gestures
Arabs make liberal use of gestures when they talk, particularly when
enthusiastic about the subject. Hand and facial gestures are an im-
portant part of Arab communication. Recognizing them is neces-
sary to gain the full meaning of what is being said. Listed below are
some of the most common gestures used in Arab countries. There are
variations among countries, but most are widely used. It is not recom-
mended that you use these gestures but learn to recognize them.
■■ Several gestures can indicate “No”—moving the head slightly
back and raising the eyebrows, moving the head back and chin
forward, or moving the chin back slightly and making a click-
ing sound with the tongue.
■■ After shaking hands, placing the right hand over the heart in-
dicates respect and sincerity.
■■ Holding the right hand out, palm downward, and moving it as
if scooping something away from you indicates “Go away.”
■■ Kiss the forehead, nose, or the right hand of a person who is
being greeted shows extreme respect.
■■ “That’s enough, thank you,” may be indicated by patting the

heart a few times.

■■ To beckon another person, all fingers wave with the palm fac-
ing downward.
■■ Holding the right hand out, palm upward, and touching the
thumb to all of the fingertips and then moving the hand up and
down slightly indicates “Have patience, slow down, listen.”

Basic Arab Religious Attitudes

These are some religions attitudes shared by Arabs:
■■ Everyone believes in God, acknowledges His power and has a
religious affiliation.
21
■■ Humans cannot control all events; some things depend on
God (i.e., fate).
■■ Piety is one of the most admirable characteristics in a person.
■■ Religious tenets should not be subjected to liberal interpreta-
tion or modification, which can threaten established beliefs
and practices.

Basic Arab Self-perceptions

Below are some common perceptions among Arabs:
■■ Arabs are generous, humanitarian, polite, and loyal. Several
studies have demonstrated that Arabs see these traits as charac-
teristic of themselves and as distinguishing them from others.
■■ Arabs have a rich cultural heritage. This is illustrated by their
contributions to religion, philosophy, literature, medicine, ar-
chitecture, art, mathematics, and the natural sciences.
■■ Although there are many differences among the Arab coun-
tries, the Arabs are a clearly-defined cultural group, members
of the Arab Nation (Al Umma Al Arabbiya).
■■ The Arabs see themselves as victimized and exploited by the
West. For them, the experience of the Palestinian people rep-
resents the most painful and obvious example.
■■ Indiscriminate imitation of Western culture, by weakening
traditional family ties and social and religious values, will
have a corrupting influence on Arab society.
■■ Many Westerners misunderstand and wrongly characterize Arabs.

Friendship
Friendship to an Arab does not necessarily mean the same thing as
it does to a Westerner. To a Westerner, a friend is someone whose
company is enjoyed, who does things for us, and who helps us in
22
time of need without expectation of recompense. Among Arabs
also, a friend is someone whose company is enjoyed. Equally im-
portant to the relationship, however, is the duty of a friend to give
help and favors to the best of his ability.

Differences in expectations can lead to misunderstandings and, for

both parties, a feeling of being let down. A Westerner may think
that he has been “set up” to do favors, and the Arab concludes
that no Westerner can be a true friend. To avoid such feelings, it is
important to understand how both sides interpret when one person
tells the other that he is his “friend.”

For an Arab, “good manners” require that one never openly refuse
a request from a friend. This does not mean that the favor must
actually be done, but rather that the response must not be stated as
a direct “No.” If an Arab friend asks for a favor, do it if possible—
this keeps the friendship flourishing. If it is unreasonable, illegal, or
too difficult, the correct response is to listen carefully and suggest
that while doubtful about the outcome, you will try to help. Later,
express regret and offer to do something else for him in the future.

The concept of what constitutes personal behavior or a personal

question is culturally determined; in this there are marked differ-
ences between Westerners and Arabs. Arabs like to discuss money
and may ask what a person paid for things or what their salary is.
If they are unmarried or, if married but without children, Arabs
may openly ask why. Arabs consider it unusual for an adult to be
unmarried, because marriage is arranged for most people by their
families and is expected of everyone. Arabs place special signifi-
cance on children, particularly male children, because they en-
hance prestige and assure care of the parents in old age. Questions
that Arabs consider too personal are those pertaining to women in
23
the family (if asked by a man). It is best to ask about the family,
not a person’s wife, sister, or grown daughter.

Professional Relationships
Arabs operate by personal relations more than by time constraints,
mission requirements, professional skills, or anything else. One of
the keys for establishing good working relations with an Arab is to
establish a good personal relationship. Appearances are also main-
tained through fairly strict and formalized rules of behavior and
politeness. For an Arab, there is little satisfaction in immediately
getting down to business. Instead, the Arab has a strong sense of
the formal social occasion and protocol. An initial business meet-
ing may be the time to demonstrate the ideal conceptions of Islamic
and Arab civilization. It is not
necessarily a time for objec-
tive analysis, pragmatic ap-
plication, and problem solving.
There is little virtue in a frank
exchange. Therefore, protocol
is emphasized through polite
conversation and the serving
of refreshments. Tending to
business may occur later dur-
ing the meeting or a more in-
formal setting such as dinner.
Criticism, even constructive
criticism, can threaten or dam-
age an Arab’s honor; it may be
taken as a personal insult. A
Westerner would do well to take
a very indirect approach toward Omani Man

24
Arabs with any corrective remarks and to include praise of any good
points and assurances of high regard for the individual himself.

Sensitive Subjects
Arabs favor two subjects in social conversation—religion and poli-
tics. Both can be risky for the Westerner. Muslims enjoy discuss-
ing religion with non-Muslim Westerners because of their curiosi-
ty about Western religious beliefs, and because they feel motivated
to share information about Islam with friends as a favor to them.
They are secure in their belief about the completeness of Islam,
since it is accepted as the third and final refinement of the two
previously revealed religions, Judaism and Christianity. They like
to teach about Islam, which eventually leads to the question, “why
don’t you consider conversion?” A Westerner may feel uncom-
fortable and wonder how to give a gracious refusal. The simplest,
most gracious and acceptable answer is to state that you appreciate
the information and respect Islam highly as a religion, but that you
cannot consider conversion because it would offend your family.
Arabs like to talk about politics with Westerners and readily bring
up controversial issues such as the Palestinian problem and the
legacy of colonialism and imperialism. However, they are not usu-
ally prepared for frank statements of disagreement with their po-
sitions on these issues. The safest response, if you cannot fully
agree, is to confine yourself to neutral statements and wait for the
subject to change, expressing concern for the victims of war and
hope of a lasting peace.

Personal Space
Westerners like to have a certain distance or space between them-
selves and another person. Arabs need to feel the presence of other
people. Their space is much more narrow than that of a Westerner.
25
It is said that some Arabs like to feel the breath of the person to
whom they’re speaking on their faces. The Westerner tends to back
up when the Arab stands close, but the Arab merely steps forward.
If the Westerner continues to back away, the Arab continues to
step closer, maybe wondering how he has offended the Westerner.
This situation has been dubbed the “diplomatic shuffle.’’

Hospitality
Arabs are generous in the hospitality they offer to friends and
strangers alike, and they admire and value the same in others.
Generosity to guests is essential for a good reputation. It is an
insult to characterize someone
as “stingy” or “inhospitable.”
Arabs assume the role of host
whenever the situation calls
for it — in their offices, homes,
or shops. A guest never stays
long without being offered
something to drink, and it is
assumed that the guest will ac-
cept at least a small quantity as
an expression of friendship or
esteem. No matter how much
coffee or tea the guest has had
elsewhere, this offer is never
declined. Shops and business
offices have employees whose
sole duty is to serve beverages
to guests. When served a bev-
erage, accept and hold the cup
with the right hand. Omani Woman

26
Arabs expect to be received with hospitality when they are guests;
the host’s personal image and status is affected by the guest’s per-
ceptions of hospitality.

Family and Social Interaction

Arab families are often large, and family plays an major role in a
person’s life. They are the basic unit of society and are very strong
and close knit. The father is the head of the family (i.e., a patri-
archal system). Although the mother’s activities may be limited
to housework and taking care of the children, she may exercise
considerable influence in the home. Few women work outside the
home, but the number is in-
creasing. All activities revolve
around family members and
family life, and any achieve-
ment advances the reputation
of the entire family. One’s
family is a source of reputation
and honor, as well as financial
and psychological support.
The maintenance of fam-
ily honor is one of the highest
values in Arab society. Since
misbehavior by women can do
more damage to family hon-
or than misbehavior by men,
clearly defined patterns of be-
havior have been developed to
protect women and help them
avoid situations that may lead
to false impressions or gossip.
Westerners must be aware of Omani Boy
27
Village

the restrictions on contact between men and women and then con-
sider their own appearance in front of others. Arabs quickly gain a
negative impression of those who behave with too much familiarity
toward a person of the opposite sex. A Western male should never
approach an Arab woman with the intent of making her acquain-
tance or in pursuing a personal relationship.
The public display of intimacy between men and women is strictly
forbidden by the Arab social code, including holding hands or
linking arms, or any gesture of affection such as kissing or pro-
longed touching. Such actions, even between husband and wife,
are highly embarrassing to Arab observers.

Rules of Etiquette
Listed here are some more rules of etiquette in Arab culture.
■■ Sit properly. Slouching, draping legs over the arm of a chair, or
otherwise sitting carelessly when talking with someone com-
28
 municates a lack of respect for that person. Never cross legs on
top of a desk or table when talking with someone.
■■ Sitting in a manner that allows the soles of one’s shoe to face
another person is a very serious insult. Always sit with both
feet on the floor.
■■ When standing in conversation with someone, leaning against a
wall or keeping the hands in pockets is taken as a lack of respect.
■■ Failure to shake hands when meeting someone or saying good-
bye is considered rude. When a Western man is introduced to
an Arab woman it is the woman’s choice whether to shake
hands or not; she should be allowed to make the first move.
■■ Casual dress at social events, many of which call for rather for-
mal dress (a suit and tie for men, a dress and high heels for
women), may be taken as a lack of respect for the host. There are,
of course, some occasions on which casual dress is appropriate.
■■ One who lights a cigarette in a group must be prepared to offer
them to everyone.
■■ Men stand when a woman enters the room; everyone stands
when new guests arrive at a social gathering and when an el-
derly or high-ranking person arrives or departs.
■■ Men allow women to precede them through doorways and of-
fer their seats to them if no others are available.
■■ If guests admire something small and portable, an Arab may
insist that it be taken as a gift. Guests need to be careful about
expressing admiration for small, expensive possessions.
■■ Gifts are given and accepted with both hands and are not
opened in the presence of the donor.
■■ When eating with Arabs, particularly when taking food from
communal dishes, the left hand is not used (the left hand is
considered unclean).
29
■■ At a restaurant, Arabs almost always insist on paying, particu-
larly if there are not many people in the party or if the occa-
sion is business-related. It is appropriate to give in graciously
after a ritual gesture to pay and then to return the favor later.
■■ People, particularly women, should not be photographed with-
out their permission.
■■ Most Arabs do not like to touch or be in the presence of house-
hold animals, particularly dogs. Pets should be kept out of
sight when Arab guests are present.
It is impossible, of course, to learn all the rules of a culture. The
safest course of action is to imitate. In a social situation with Arabs,
never be the first to do anything!

Medical Assessment
Infectious Disease Risks to Deployed Personnel
The National Center for Medical Intelligence (NCMI) assesses
Oman as and Intermediate Risk for infectious diseases, with an
overall disease risk that will adversely impact mission effective-
ness unless force health protection measures are implemented.
The following is a summary of the infectious disease risk in Oman.
Risk varies greatly depending on location, individual exposures,
and other factors. Details are contained in Infectious Disease Risk
Assessments, produced by NCMI, available at http://www.ncmi.
detrick.army.mil.

Food- or Waterborne Diseases

Sanitation varies with location, but typically is well below U.S. stan-
dards. Local food and water sources (including ice) may be con-
30
taminated with pathogenic bacteria, parasites, and viruses to which
most U.S. service members have little or no natural immunity.
Diarrheal diseases can be expected to temporarily incapacitate a
high percentage of personnel within days if local food, water, or ice
is consumed. Hepatitis A and typhoid fever can cause prolonged ill-
ness in a smaller percentage. In addition, viral gastroenteritis (e.g.,
norovirus) and food poisoning (e.g., Bacillus cereus, Clostridium
perfringens, and Staphylococcus) may cause significant outbreaks.

Vector-borne Diseases
During warmer months (typically April through November), eco-
logical conditions primarily in rural areas support arthropod vec-
tors (including mosquitoes, ticks, and sand flies) with variable
rates of disease transmission. As of 2003, Oman was considered
malaria-free. However, imported cases still occur.
A variety of vector-borne diseases occur at low or unknown levels;
as a group, these diseases may constitute a potentially serious oper-
ational risk. Personnel exposed to mosquitoes, ticks, and sand flies
are at high risk during day or night, in both urban and rural areas.

Sexually Transmitted and Blood-borne Diseases

Hepatitis B and HIV/AIDS are reported in Oman, particularly
in prostitutes, a high-risk group for sexually transmitted disease
worldwide. Men having sex with men, heterosexual contact, and
intravenous drug use are the predominant modes of transmission.
The long-term health impact of these diseases on individuals is
substantial. A variety of other sexually transmitted diseases (e.g.,
chlamydia, gonorrhea, chancroid, herpes, syphilis, and venereal
warts) may cause symptomatic infection in a high percentage of
personnel who have sexual contact.
31
Water-contact Diseases
Operations or activities that involve extensive freshwater contact
(e.g., in lakes, rivers, streams, or other surface water) may result
in personnel being temporarily debilitated with leptospirosis and
schistosomiasis in some locations. Arid portions of the country
without permanent or persistent bodies of surface water do not
support leptospirosis or schistosomiasis transmission. In addition,
bodies of surface water are likely to be contaminated with human
and animal waste. Activities such as wading or swimming may re-
sult in exposures to enteric diseases such as diarrhea and hepatitis
via incidental ingestion of water. Prolonged water contact also may
lead to the development of a variety of potentially debilitating skin
conditions such as bacterial or fungal dermatitis.

Respiratory Diseases
U.S. personnel may be exposed to a wide variety of respiratory in-
fections common in the local population. These include influenza,
pertussis, viral upper respiratory infections, viral and bacterial
pneumonia, and others. U.S. military populations living in close-
quarter conditions are at risk for substantial person-to-person
spread of respiratory pathogens. Influenza is of particular concern
because of its ability to debilitate large numbers of unvaccinated
personnel for several days.

Animal-associated Diseases
Rabies risk occurs in Oman. Foxes are the primary reservoir, with
spillover into dogs and other domestic animals. Personnel bitten
by potentially infected reservoir species may develop rabies in the
absence of appropriate prophylaxis. The circumstances of the bite
should be considered in evaluating individual risk; bats or wild
carnivores should be regarded as rabid unless proven otherwise.
32
Rare cases of Q fever could occur among personnel exposed to
aerosols from infected animals. More cases are possible in situa-
tions where personnel have heavy exposure to barnyards or other
areas where animals are housed.

Medical Capabilities
Oman has one of the better health care systems in the Middle East.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) provides most patient care, but
a private health care sector is growing. The best overall care is
found in the capital, Muscat.
The quality of care provided by physicians is good by Western
standards. The vast majority of Oman’s physicians are expatriates,
trained in their home countries. Nurses provide care that is fair by
regional standards but falls below Western standards.
The MOH’s three-tiered system of primary, secondary, and tertiary
health care offers most specialties and subspecialties. Most cities
and towns have at least one modern hospital; the best health care
facilities are in Muscat. The MOH operates 49 of the 58 hospitals
located throughout the country; the other hospitals are operated
by the private sector or the armed forces. Al Khoula Hospital and
Royal Hospital are the best MOH-run facilities; both are located
in Muscat. The Armed Forces Military Hospital in Muscat is the
best military facility.
Oman’s central blood bank, located in Bausher, southwest of
Muscat, is operated by the MOH. At least 11 other hospital-based
blood banks are located throughout the Sultanate. Blood report-
edly is tested for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, and syphilis; how-
ever, the blood supply does not meet Western standards. Blood
products from major medical facilities probably are suitable for
use in medical emergencies.
33
Oman has a rapidly growing pharmaceutical market. The MOH
procures and distributes medical materiel for public hospitals, al-
though shortages of medicines are reported to occur frequently.
Oman has no national emergency ambulance service. Most people
rely on family, friends, or taxis for transport to the hospital. Some
hospitals maintain a few vehicles to transport patients between
hospitals. The police and military are capable of conducting heli-
copter evacuation missions.
Oman’s official language is Arabic, but English is widely spoken
by health care professionals.

AL Khoula Hospital
Location Mina Al Fahal Road in Ruwi Heights, Muscat
23-36-46N 058-31-01E
Telephone 968-563-625
Type 470-bed government hospital
Capabilities Medical – general, emergency, orthopedics. Surgical
– general surgery, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, re-
constructive surgery. Ancillary – blood bank, burn
intensive care unit (ICU), laboratory, X-ray.
Comments Designated national trauma center and main cen-
ter for head injury. U.S. Embassy health unit lists
the hospital for accident and emergency services.
Identified for mass casualty scenarios.

Royal Hospital
Location Al Ghubrah Street, Muscat
23-34-30N 058-23-17E
Telephone 968-592-888
34
Type 635-bed government hospital
Capabilities Medical – general, emergency, cardiology, pedi-
atrics. Surgical – general surgery, obstetrics/gy-
necology, orthopedic surgery, urology. Ancillary
– blood bank, state-of-the-art cancer unit, dialy-
sis unit, computerized tomography (CT) scanner,
laboratory, X-ray.
Comments U.S. Embassy health unit lists this hospital for acci-
dent and emergency department services. Identified
for mass casualty scenarios. Modern, well-equipped
facility with Western-trained consultants.

Armed Forces Military Hospital

Location Nizwa Road, Muscat
23-34-25N 058-12-25E
Type 150-bed military hospital
Capabilities Medical – general, dental. Surgical – general sur-
gery, obstetrics/gynecology. Ancillary – blood
bank, trauma unit, laboratory, magnetic reso-
nance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, X-ray.
Comments Can handle major traumas. Open-bay rooms hold-
ing 6 patients each. Normally treats only mem-
bers of Oman military and their families. U.S.
Embassy personnel use this facility for serious
cases exceeding sick call requirements. Helipad.
Located 19 kilometers west of Seeb Int. Airport.

History
Oman is at a crossroads between Asia and Africa, and between
Northern Arabia and Southern Arabia. The two dominant ethnic
35
groups of Oman reflect this crossroads character, the Qahtan are
from Southern Arabia, and the Nizar are from Northern Arabia.
Oman was one of the first regions to convert to Islam, and Omanis
played a significant role in bringing Islam to Iraq. After the death of
the Prophet, Islam split into several branches as a result of political
and religious differences. The Omanis follow the Ibadi doctrine,
which holds that the Caliphate (leadership of the Islamic world) is
not hereditary. Ibadi doctrine was suited to the loose confedera-
tion of tribes living in Oman, so it firmly established itself early
in Oman. Its success is demonstrated in the active tradition of a
separate Omani Imam, first established in the 8th century.
In 752 the Sunni Caliphs in Baghdad conquered Oman and killed
the Omani Imam. A new Imam rose in the interior, giving Oman a
dual nature, with an Imam ruling the interior and a foreign or sec-
ular rule controlling the coast. In the late 10th century, the Iranians
conquered the Oman coast. Replacing the Iranians were the Zangid
rulers of Southern Iraq who arrived in Oman in the 13th century,
but the Zangid were forced out after only a generation. Omani sail-
ors and traders established cities in East Africa and traded as far
east as China. Muscat became one of the leading trade cities of the
region. From bases in East Africa, Oman became wealthy on the
slave trade between Africa and Arabia. Muscat, also, prospered
from trade with India. In the 16th century the Iranians, in the form
of the Safavids, once again asserted control over Oman’s coast.
The Portuguese arrived in Oman in 1507 and quickly established
themselves in Sohar and Muscat, displacing the Iranians. Portuguese
explorers arriving in the region quickly realigned trade routes from
the Red Sea to the Horn of Africa. Oman, however, remained a key
trading post between East Africa and India. The search for trade
routes to the East had also brought British and Dutch traders to the
region. The Iranians, eager to reassert their control of Oman, of-
36
fered the English and Dutch half the income from the Gulf ports
to drive the Portuguese out. The conflict between the Portuguese,
English, and Dutch created a power vacuum in the region, which
the Omanis exploited to regain independence. Since that time, the
British have maintained a close relationship with Oman.
Imam Nasir ibn Murshid expelled the Portuguese from Oman in
1650. Shortly after Murshid’s death, dynastic quarreling brought the
Iranians back into Oman. Imam Ahmad ibn Said expelled the Iranians
in 1749. His family (al bu Said) has ruled Oman since. Following the
expulsion of the Iranians, Ahmad reasserted Oman’s control over its
former possessions in East Africa, including Mombassa, Mogadishu,
and Zanzibar. Ahmad encouraged Omanis to relocate to East Africa,
and Ahmad himself moved to Zanzibar. During this time, Oman
remained competitive in Indian Ocean trade.
In 1856, following the death of Sultan Said bin Sultan, the United
Kingdom negotiated the division of Oman’s African interests and
Oman proper between bin Sultan’s sons. The loss of African trade
to Oman caused its economy to go into a decline. The United
Kingdom exacerbated this economic slump by curtailing the slave
trade. Despite this, U.K.-Oman ties remain strong.
Ongoing animosity between the port cities and the interior have
frequently erupted into civil war. In the 19th century, the Dhofar re-
gion reasserted its independence by electing a separate Imam. This
led to increasing friction between the coast and the interior. Sultan
Faisal bin Turki died in 1913. At the same time Dhofar elected a
new Imam, Salim ibn Rashid al Harthi. Salim refused to recog-
nize Faisal’s son, Taimur ibn Faisal. Fighting between Imam Salim
and Sultan Taimur erupted and continued until 1920. In 1920, the
sultan and the imam signed the Treaty of Seeb, which gave control
of the coast to the Sultan and the interior to the imam.
37
In 1954, Taimur’s son Said bin Taimur (father of the current sultan)
began to assert control over the interior to further British oil explo-
ration in the interior. British exploration coincided with the death of
the incumbent imam. The Imam’s successor, Ghalib bin Ali, led a
resistance movement against the sultan for an independent Dhofar.
The United Kingdom intervened on behalf of the sultan and end-
ed the official power of the Imam. Shortly afterward, the sultan
and imam reached agreement on control over the Dhofar region
of Oman and turned to the Saudi incursions into Oman. In 1952,
the sultan’s forces managed to eject the Saudis from Buraimi Oasis.
Sultan Said, believing that the imam had reneged on his deal and
backed the Saudis in the border dispute, occupied the interior town
of Ibri. This cut the imam off from the disputed area. The imam
appealed to the Arab league to recognize the interior as a separate
state. In response, the sultan occupied the imam’s capital cities of
Niwa and Rustaq, thereby ending the imam’s bid for independence.
As a matter of policy Said kept Oman isolated from the outside
world. In 1958 he isolated himself in his palace. He opposed edu-
cation and road building because he believed Western influence
would undermine his rule. At the same time he hoarded the oil
revenues from Oman’s newly profitable oil fields. In 1962 a num-
ber of Dhofar radicals formed the Dhofar Liberation Front (DLF).
Three years later, the DLF began fighting what is known as the
Dhofar Rebellion. As the rebellion progressed and South Yemen
gained more influence over the DLF, the DLF moved from pan-
Arabism to a Marxist ideology. Even this revolt against his author-
ity did not shake Said from his isolationist policies. Because of
Said’s inability to deal with the revolt, his son Qaboos deposed
him in a bloodless coup in 1970.
After taking the throne, the Sandhurst-trained Qaboos worked to
deal with the revolt that had plagued his father. The DLF had be-
38
come the Popular Front for the Liberation of the Occupied Arabian
Gulf (aided by China through communist South Yemen) and the
National Democratic Front for the Liberation of the Occupied
Arabian Gulf. These two revolutionary movements merged
in 1972, forming the Popular Front for the Liberation of Oman
and the Arabian Gulf (later renamed the People’s Front for the
Liberation of Oman). In 1973 Sultan Qaboos requested that Iran
send troops to combat the insurrection. Supported by U.K. advis-
ers and Iranian troops, the sultan claimed victory in 1975. Because
of Yemeni support for the Dhofar Rebellion, Oman closed its bor-
ders with Yemen in 1979. With the mediation of their regional
neighbors, relations were restored between Oman and Yemen in
1982, finally ending the Dhofar Rebellion.

To strengthen ties with the United States after the Soviet inva-
sion of Afghanistan in 1980, Oman began negotiating a defense
treaty with the United States. In return for the use of Masirah
Island in times of crisis, the United States committed itself to
Oman’s security and military and economic aid. One year later
the United States opened a communications center in Oman. At
the same time, Oman and five other Gulf Arab states formed the
Gulf Cooperative Council in 1981.

After the 1990 invasion of Kuwait by Iraq, Oman proposed media-

tion. When mediation failed, Oman supported coalition efforts to
expel Iraq from Kuwait and provided ground and naval forces to
the coalition against Iraq.

Oman and Yemen agreed to demarcation of the border. In 1992

Sultan Qaboos pledged US$21 million to build a border highway.
The two countries normalized relations in 1994. The border de-
marcation between Oman and Yemen was completed in 1997, end-
39
ing border clashes between the two countries. Oman is the most
stable of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Government and Politics

Government
The Sultanate of Oman is a traditionalist Arab monarchy with no
written constitution or political parties; there are no elections. The
chief executive is the sultan, who is both head of state and prime min-
ister. Additionally, he holds the twin portfolios of defense and finance.
Sultan Qaboos bin Said, has been in power since July 1970.

National Level
The country’s administration is run by the cabinet, with as-
sistance from the cabinet Secretariat, Specialized Councils,
the Governorate of the capital, and the Majlis al Shura (State
Consultative Council – SCC). The highest administrative author-
ity is the cabinet, which derives its power directly from the sultan,
to whom it is collectively responsible.
There is no formal constitution. The sultan legislates by decree,
assisted by the cabinet. In a move intended to provide Omanis
with greater participation in government, Sultan Qaboos named a
new SCC in November 1991. The SCC consists of a president and
80 representatives, who are elected. They are chosen in an indirect
process, in which rural constituencies elect two candidates and
urban areas elect four. Out of 160 such successful candidates, the
sultan selects 80 to sit in the Assembly, which has no powers to
enact legislation but can draft new laws, or suggest amendments
to existing legislation. In August 1997, all seats to the SCC were
opened to women by a royal decree. The establishment of the SCC
seems to be a first cautious step toward democracy. While it is
40
only a consultative body at present, it appears likely to evolve into
some form of legislative body in future.
Note. A new basic law to be implemented in the future provides
another legislative body, in addition to expanding the SCC to 110
members. The resulting bicameral legislature will be known as
the Omani Council

Local Level
Local government in Oman is divided into eight governorates. The
governorates are sub-divided into 59 wilayats, each under a gov-
ernor (wali), who is appointed by the sultan. The governors usu-
ally rule with the assistance of local tribal authorities. The major
duties of the wali are maintaining internal security and collecting
taxes. Municipal councils are being set up for local governance.

Judicial Branch
Oman’s legal system is based on English common law and Islamic
law, which is exercised by the Shari’a courts. Qadhis (judges), who
are officers appointed by the Minister of Justice, preside over local
courts. Appeals from all courts must go to the Court of Appeals in
Muscat. In addition to Islamic law, tribal customary law is admin-
istered to settle disputes, particularly in more remote areas of the
country. There is the ultimate right to appeal to the sultan. Oman has
not accepted compulsory International Court of Justice jurisdiction.

Principal Government Officials

■■ Qaboos bin Said al-Said –
Sultan, Prime Minister, and Defense, Finance and Foreign
Affairs Minister, Chairman of the Central Bank
■■ Qais bin Abd al-Munim al-Zawawi –
Deputy Prime Minister for Financial and Economic Affairs
41
■■ Fhad bin Mahmud al-Said –
Deputy Minister for Legal Affairs
■■ Fahar bin Taymur al-Said –
Deputy Prime Minister for Security and Defense
■■ Thuwayni bin Shihab al-Said –
Special Representative of the Sultan
■■ Yusuf bin Alawi ibn Abdallah –
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
■■ Hamud bin Abdallah al-Harthi –
Minister of Justice and Awqaf and Islamic Affairs

Economy
As with most Gulf countries, Oman’s economy is dominated by
the oil industry, which provides 70 to 80 percent of government
revenues and accounts for 38.3 percent of GDP (2007 est.). Since
1970, when Sultan Qaboos came to power, oil revenues have been
used to dramatically change Oman’s way of life. Development
activities increased rapidly. Agricultural projects improved wa-
ter supplies and crop varieties for farmers. Up-to-date shipping
facilities at Matrah and an international airport at Seeb have im-
proved transportation links with the rest of the world, while paved
roads and airfields eased travel within the country. Electrical

Petroleum Refinery
42
generating plants, housing projects, and radio stations increased
the quality of life, while modern hospitals and public health pro-
grams extended the average lifespan. For example, the country’s
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Industry
43
infrastructure has expanded from about 10 kilometers (6 miles)
of paved road in 1970 to more than 9,673 kilometers (6,011 miles)
of paved roads by 2001. The number of schools in Oman has in-
creased from 10 in 1970 to more than 500 today.
Oil in commercial quantities was discovered in 1964, and produc-
tion began in 1967. Oman’s total proven reserve has been estimated
to be 4.85 billion barrels. Since the first refinery became operational
in 1982, Oman has been self-sufficient in most oil-derived products.
Oman recognizes the need to diversify the economy to allow for con-
tinued economic growth after its oil reserve is exhausted. Primary
diversification is based on agriculture, fishing, mining, and light in-
dustry. Unlike the economies of smaller oil-rich nations of the Arab
Gulf, Oman’s economy has for centuries had a strong agricultural
base, which continues to develop. About 70 percent of Omanis de-
pend on agriculture for their livelihood. The government subsidizes
seed, fertilizer, equipment, and technical know-how as the industry

Palm Tree Farm

44
modernizes. The fishing in-
dustry is also modernizing,
with investment in refrig-
eration plants, boats, and
equipment. Oman’s miner-
al resources—a significant
source of revenue—include
copper, manganese, lead,
iron, zinc, chrome, asbes-
tos, phosphates, coal, gold,
silver, and nickel. Many of
these resources are found
in remote areas of the
country, thereby reducing
their economic viability.
Light industry is being ex-
panded. An industrial zone
has been established at Fish Market
Rusayl (72 kilometers/45
miles from Muscat); other sites are planned in Salalah, Sur, Nizwa,
and Sohar. Gas reserves, currently being exploited, are estimated at
about 795.2 billion cubic meters.
Oman is also pursuing a program to employ Omani workers in-
stead of hiring foreign guest workers. The government hopes to
place a large number of Omanis into the workforce currently oc-
cupied by expatriates.
Even with oil revenues, agricultural and livestock production re-
main vital parts of the economy. The government no longer de-
pends on taxing produce and livestock to meet its budget as it did
before the arrival of oil revenue.

45
Immigrant Workers
In Oman’s generally stable conditions, private businesses have
also rapidly expanded in retail trade, services, and other areas. In
1989, its stock exchange opened with 71 companies, mostly in ser-
vices such as insurance and transportation. The pace of economic
development continues to attract foreign investors.
With its reputation for competent economic management, Oman
has been viewed as an economically stable country. The govern-
ment has provided incentives for private and foreign investment. If
Oman maintains its carefully planned infrastructure development
and investment program, it is expected to have a sound economic
base by the time its oil reserves are exhausted. In January 1996, the
Oman government introduced a new 5-year plan designed to reduce
dependency on hydrocarbon deposits.
In keeping with the growing international importance of Oman’s
economy, many of the world’s premier banks have established
branches in Oman. These include Citibank, American Express,
46
British Bank of the Middle East (part of the Hong Kong and
Shanghai Banking Corporation), and Standard Chartered Bank.
However, the largest banking network in Oman is the Oman
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Agriculture
47
International Bank. The country also has well developed postal
and telecommunications systems including mobile telephone ser-
vice, digital telephone lines, and access to the Internet. All the
major courier companies such as Federal Express, DHL, and UPS
offer regular service to and from Oman.

Oman is looking south in its foreign trade relations. It is a member

of the Indian Ocean Rim Association. And, it entered into major
joint ventures with India in 1997. Oman aspires to become the
commercial linchpin between the GCC and Asia.

During 1998, the price of Oman’s oil collapsed. This had a pro-
found effect on Oman’s economy. In February 1999 the govern-
ment announced that it expected its budget deficit to double. The
potential for unrest in Oman as a result of economic hardship can-
not be ruled out despite the governments’ best efforts to prevent it.
The rise in oil prices in mid-1999 slowed the increase of the deficit
and may have kept the economy stable.

Statistics
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (2007 estimates)
Purchasing Power
Parity US$61.61 billion
Official Exchange Rate US$40.06 billion
Per Capita (PPP) US$24,000
Public Debt 3.8% of GDP (2007 est.)
Debt, External US$5.297 billion (2007 est.)
Budget (2007 est.)
Revenues US$13.99 billion
Expenditures US$13.68 billion

48
Exports US$22.89 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Partners (2006) China 23.2%, South Korea 19.2%,
Japan 12.2%, Thailand 8.9%, South
Africa 8.3%, UAE 6.5%, Taiwan 4.2%
Commodities Petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles
Imports US$11 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Partners (2006) UAE 19.7%, Japan 18%, U.S. 7.5%,
Germany 5.3%, India 4.2%
Commodities Machinery and transport equip-
ment, manufactured goods, food,
livestock, lubricant
Key industries Petroleum production and refining,
liquefied natural gas production, con-
struction, cement, copper, steel, chem-
icals, optic fiber
Agriculture Dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegeta-
bles, camels, cattle; fish

Armed Forces
The small but effective Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) have a repu-
tation as being one of the most impressive militaries in the Gulf
region. Their success in countering internal security problems of
the past 25 years has added to that credibility.
The SAF consist of an army, air force, and navy. The total active
strength of the SAF is approximately 39,800, comprising 31,500
army, 4,100 air force, and 4,200 navy personnel. This figure in-
cludes nearly 3,700 foreign troops in the SAF and the Royal
Household Troops. Foreign personnel have traditionally held se-
nior positions in the SAF; however, with improved training and
49
military experience, native Omanis are increasingly acquiring
these positions under a policy to lessen the foreign population in its
military. Population pressures will probably force continued reli-
ance on non-Omanis in the junior ranks. The Royal Household
Troops are maintained to defend the sultan and his family.
Oman’s military expenditures equaled about US$3.26 billion in
2007, or 8.3 percent of GDP (market exchange rate).

Key Military Officials

Army Commander –
Major General Ali bin Rashid bin Mohammad al Kilbani
Air Force Commander –
Vice Air Marshal Mohammad bin Mahfoodh bin Saad al Ardhi
Navy Commander –
Rear Admiral Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik bin Taimur al Said

Army
The Royal Army of Oman is responsible for ground combat opera-
tions as well as the protection of the Sultan of Oman.
Ground defense of Oman is complicated by the separation of
the nation into two non-congruent territories. The defense strat-
egy in the northern territory (Musandam Peninsula) emphasizes
protection of the Strait of Hormuz, while the southern territory
command is tasked primarily with counterinsurgency operations
against anti-government rebels that have attempted to infiltrate
Oman from Yemen.
Oman is divided into three military zones of administration—
the Army’s main command, located at Muaskar al-Murtafa and
50
two subordinate headquarters, located at Muaskar al-Murtafa
and Salalah. An independent rifle company is located on the
Musandam Peninsula.
The Army numbers approximately 31,500 active duty personnel.
The Army reserve numbers 1,000. Professional soldiers, including
Pakistani contract personnel, account for a relatively large percent-
age of the Oman Armed Forces. In addition, the sultan maintains
a private Royal Guard Brigade with 4,500 personnel. The Royal
Guard of Oman includes two 400-strong Special Forces regiments,
and the Royal Yacht (operated by 150 Navy personnel and based
in Muscat) and VIP aircraft of the Royal Flight (operated by 250
Air Force personnel). The Royal Army of Oman uses the British
system, with regiments being equivalent to U.S. battalions.

Equipment
Armor
Tanks
Nomenclature Type Quantity
T-80* MBT 9
Challenger II MBT 38
M60A1 MBT 6
M60A3 MBT 73
*Oman’s T-80 MBTs have been used for training and evaluation.

APCs, IFVs
Nomenclature Type Quantity
Fahd (Royal Guard) APC 31
Piranha APC 175
Scorpion APC 37
51
Nomenclature Type Quantity
Spartan APC 6
ZSL-92 (WZ 551) APC 50
Stormer Command 4
Sultan Command 13
VBL, Panhard Armored Scout Car 132
VAB PC (Royal Guard) Command 2
VAB VCI (Royal Guard) IFV 14
VAB VCI (Royal Guard) IFV 2
VBC 90 (Royal Guard) Gun system 6

Combat Support Vehicles

Nomenclature Type Quantity
Challenger ARV ARV 4
Challenger Driver training 2
Sampson ARV 3
M88-A1 ARV 2

Artillery
Guns
Nomenclature Type Quantity
130-mm M-46 Towed 12
130-mm Type 59-1M Towed 24
105-mm L118 Towed 42

Howitzers
Nomenclature Type Quantity
155-mm G6 Self-propelled 25
155-mm FH70 Towed 12
52
Nomenclature Type Quantity
130-mm Type 59-1 Towed NA
122-mm D-30 Towed 30

Mortars
Nomenclature Quantity
120-mm Brandt 12
4.2-in M-30 12
81-mm L16 80

Antitank weapons
Nomenclature Type Quantity
BGM-71 TOW AT 18
Milan AT 50
LAW 90 AT 50
RPG-7 AT 100

Air Defense
Nomenclature Type Quantity
40-mm L60 Towed ADA 12
23-mm ZU-23-2 Towed ADA 4
20-mm French VAB VDAA SPAA System 9
35-mm GDF-005 with Skyguard Towed ADA 10
Blowpipe SAM NA
Javelin SAM 12
SA-7 GRAIL SAM 34

Air Force
The Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) has its headquarters
at Muaskar al Murtafa. It is commanded by Vice Air Marshal
53
YAHYA bin Rasheed bin Ali al-Juma, who took command of the
RAFO in Feb 2003. Oman’s need for air transport is emphasized
by its separated geographic territories—the Musandam peninsula
is separated from Oman proper by a section of the United Arab
Emirates. The RAFO also provides air support for Oman’s army
and navy. The RAFO numbers 4,100 active duty personnel and
consists of the following units:
Unit Base Type Role
PC-9 Training
1 Squadron Al Masirah Super Mushshak Training
SF-25C Falke Training
2 Squadron Muscat-Seeb SC7-3M-4022 Skyvan/Seavan Transport/maritime surveillance
AB 205A Transport
3 Squadron Salalah Super Lynx Transport
Bell 206B Training
4 Squadron Muscat-Seeb BAe 1-11 Transport
Hawk Mk 203 Training and light attack
6 Squadron Al Masirah
Hawk Mk 103 Training
8 Squadron Thumrait Jaguar Air Defense and attack
AB 205A Transport and SAR
Bell 206B Training
14 Squadron Al Musana'a HH-1H Transport and SAR
Super Puma Transport
Puma Transport
15 Squadron Al Musana'a Super Lynx Utility and SAR
16 Squadron Muscat-Seeb Hercules Transport
18 Squadron Thumrait F-16 Multirole fighter
20 Squadron Thumrait Jaguar Air defense and attack
AB 205A SAR
Det Al Masirah
Super Lynx SAR
Det Khasab Bell 205A SAR

54
In a contingency, the RAFO would be reinforced by the Royal
Oman Police Force aviation wing.

Equipment
Aircraft
Nomenclature Role Quantity
F-16C Fighting Falcon Multirole fighter 8
F-16D Fighting Falcon Multirole fighter 4
Jaguar International OS Air defense, attack 14
Jaguar GR. Mk 1 Air defense, attack 2
Hawk Mk 203 Light attack, recon. 11
C-130H Hercules Transport 3
SC7-3M-4022 Transport, maritime 10
(Skyvan and Seavan) surveillance
One-Eleven Srs 485GD Transport 3
Hawk Mk 103 Armed trainer 4
Super Mushshak Trainer 7
PC-9M Trainer 12
SF-25C Falke Trainer 2
Jaguar International OB Trainer 3
Jaguar T. Mk 2 Trainer 1
NOTE: Quantities above include maritime surveillance aircraft,
which are operated by the RAFO.

Helicopters
Nomenclature Role Quantity
SA 330J Puma Communications 2
AS 332C Super Puma Communications 2
AB-412 HP/SP Transport 6
55
 Nomenclature Role Quantity
HH-1H Iroquois Utility 1
205A Utility 3
205A Utility 7
WG.13 Super Lynx Mk 120 Utility 15
NH90 Utility 20*
206B JetRanger Trainer 4
*NH90 helicopters – 20 are on order.
NOTE: quantities above include naval helicopters, which are op-
erated by the RAFO.

Missiles
Nomenclature Role
AIM-9M Sidewinder Air-to-air
AIM-120C AMRAAM Air-to-air
AGM-65D Maverick Air-to-surface
AGM-65G Maverick Air-to-surface
AGM-84D Harpoon Antiship attack

Mission and Doctrine

The RAFO has the traditional air force mission of defending na-
tional airspace. It also provides close air support, battlefield resup-
ply to the army, maritime patrol, and search and rescue.

The RAFO’s doctrine is based on experience gained from the

communist uprising in the Dhofar region and on the advice of U.K.
specialists. The original RAFO (the Sultan of Oman’s Air Force)
was formed with U.K personnel, so much of its doctrine reflects
U.K. influence.

56
The primary combat aircraft are the Jaguar, with air defense and
attack roles, and the F-16, with an air superiority role. Hawk Mk
203 aircraft fill light attack and reconnaissance roles.

Deployment
The Air Force operates from bases in both the northern and
southern territories, and from several remote desert landing
strips. Principal bases are located at Muscat-Seeb, Al Masirah, Al
Musana, Salalah, and Thumrait. Secondary airstrips are at Goat
Island and Khassab.

Aircraft Acquisition and Modernization

Before 2005, the RAFO’s fighter aircraft consisted of the Jaguar
and the light attack capabilities of the Hawk MK 203. In August
2002, the U.S. approved the sale of 12 F-16C/D Block 50 aircraft to
Oman. Oman accepted delivery of all 12 between 2005 and 2006.
Before Oman bought the F-16 aircraft from the United States, it
upgraded its Jaguar fleet. With this upgrade, the Jaguar fleet is
estimated to remain operational until at least 2010.
Oman also plans to expand its airborne reconnaissance capa-
bility by acquiring a BAE systems F-9120 Advanced Airborne
Reconnaissance System (AARS) package through the U.S. Foreign
Military Sales program. This package includes two AARS sys-
tems, one ground exploitation station, and logistics support. The
RAFO also plans to integrate the AARS with their F-16 aircraft.
In 2006, the RAFO received the last of 16 Agusta Westland Super
Linx Series 300 shipborne multirole helicopters. Although these
helicopters are assigned to and operated by the RAFO, they are
primarily used by the Royal Oman Navy.
57
In July 2004, the RAFO signed a contract for 20 NH90 multi-
role helicopters to serve as its medium-lift transport helicopter.
Deliveries are to begin in 2008.

Training
Pilot training is conducted at the Sultan Qaboos Flying Academy
at Masirah. Initial training starts on Scheibe Falke motorgliders.
It then continues in the Super Mushshak and PC-9M, and finishes
in the Hawk 103 and Hawk 203. Further, advanced instruction is
performed in the two-seat version of the respective airframe.

Gulf Cooperation Council

In December 2000, the member nations of the GCC (Saudi Arabia,
Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar) signed a joint defense pact,
which commits GCC members to “defend any member state victim
of an external threat or danger.” In an attempt to protect member na-
tions’ airspace, Oman, along with other GCC members, participated
in the establishment of a joint C4I defense system in 2001. This net-
work, called Hizam al-Taawun (Belt of Cooperation – HAT), enables
all member nations to monitor aircraft in their own and surrounding
airspace and also helps them to coordinate defensive efforts.

Navy
The Royal Navy of Oman operates in the Gulf of Oman, Strait of
Hormuz, Arabian Sea, and Persian Gulf. Oman has accelerated its
acquisition of antisubmarine warfare (ASW) vessels and systems in
response to Iran’s acquisition of three KILO-Class submarines from
Russia. The Navy’s primary missions are to protect and defend the
Sultanate’s nearly 1,610 kilometers (1,000 miles) of coastline and
offshore economic zones, and to assist in search and rescue (SAR)
operations. The Oman Air Force operates the maritime patrol and
58
SAR aircraft. The Navy has 4,200 active duty personnel, including
civilians and the maritime division of the Royal Oman Police Force.

Deployment
The RNO headquarters is in Muscat; additional naval bases are at
Ghanam Island, Muscat, Seeb, Wudam, Ras Musandam, Minah
Rasyut, Sur, and Wudam Alwi.

Equipment
Ships
Class Role Quantity
Qahir al Amwaj
(Vigilance) FFL 2
PROVINCE I (Dhofar) PTG 4
Seeb (vosper 25-m) pb 4
Al Bushra pc 3
Saba Al Bahr (vosper 30-m) LCU 3
Fulk al Salmah WAG 1
Brooke marine 84-m
(Al Munassir) lst 1
brooke marine 93-m
(Nasr al Bahr) lst 1
Lewis Offshore 25-m (Al
Neemran) lcu 1
Al Mabrukah AXT 1
Al Sutana AK 1
Al Rahmanyai ygs 1
Shabab Oman yts 1
59
Naval Aviation
The RAFO operates aircraft in support of the RNO.

Plans and Programs

Ship Acquisition and Modernization
Oman has a number of naval procurement programs underway
as it seeks to increase its maritime security. Project Khareef
involved the purchase of three offshore patrol vessels from
Vosper Thornycroft, the first of which will be delivered in 2010.
These warships will possess an embarked helicopter capability.
Additionally, Oman acquired a 64-meter landing craft from Abu
Dhabi Shipbuilding in 2006 that can perform amphibious support
operations and troop transportation.

Paramilitary Forces
The Royal Oman Police Force is responsible for internal security
and coastal surveillance. It is organized into a Tribal Home Guard
(Firqat), numbering 4,000 personnel, an air wing, and a Coast
Guard, numbering 400 personnel.
During wartime, The Tribal Home Guard is placed under the
command of the military and becomes responsible for rear-area
defense. The Police Air Wing, at Muscat-Seeb, operates several
fixed-wing and rotary aircraft including the following:

Aircraft
Type Role Quantity
Do228 Transport 1
CN235M Transport 2
BN-2T Transport 1
Bell 205A Helicopter 3
60
 Type Role Quantity
Bell 214ST Helicopter 6
AW 139 Helicopter 10*
*AW 139 – four on hand, 6 on order

Coast Guard
From Mina al Qaboos and Sidab, the Coast Guard operates the
following vessels:

Ships
Class Role Quantity
vosper 75-ft (Haras 1) wpb 5
karlskrona 29-m
(CG29 Type/Haras 7) wpb 3
karlskrona 27-m
(cg27 Type/Haras 6) wpb 1
P 1200 Patrol 2
watercraft p2000
(Dheeb al Bahar I) Patrol 1
lecomte p1903 (Haras 8) wpb 1
watercraft 13-m mk ii
(Zahra 14) wpb 5
Zahra 16 Patrol 3
Zahra 4 Patrol 4
yokohama 23-m
(Type D 59116) wpb 2

61
APPENDIX A:
Equipment Recognition
INFANTRY WEAPONS
9-mm Pistol Browning High Power FN 35

Caliber 9.0 x 19.0 mm (Parabellum)

Effective Range 50 m
Operation Recoil, semiautomatic
Feed Device 13-round box magazine
Weight Loaded 1.06 kg
Overall Length 204 mm

A-1
 5.56-mm Assault Rifle/Carbine Steyr AUG

Type Multipurpose assault rifle

Caliber 5.56- x 45-mm
Cyclic Rate of Fire 650 rounds/minute
Operation Gas, selective fire
Feed Device Detachable polymer box magazine
Weight (Loaded) 0.49 to 0.66 kg, depending on variant
Overall Length 626 to 915 mm, depending on variant
VARIANTS: short assault rifle, carbine, standard assault rifle, heavy-barrel rifle

A-2
 5.56-mm Assault Rifle M16A1

Cartridge 5.56 x 45 mm
Effective Range 800 m
Maximum Range 3,600 m
Cyclic Rate of Fire 700 rounds/minute
Operation Gas, direct action, selective fire
Feed Device 20- or 30-round box magazine
Weight Unloaded 3.40 kg
Length 990 mm

5.56-mm Assault Rifle SG540

Cartridge 5.56 x 45.0 mm

Effective Range 300 m
Cyclic Rate of Fire 650 to 800 rounds/minute
Operation Gas, selective fire with 3-round burst
Feed Device 20- or 30-round detachable box magazine
Weight Unloaded 3.5 kg
Length 950 mm with fixed stock; 720 mm with
folded stock

A-3
 7.62-mm Rifle Model FN FAL

Caliber 7.62 x 51 mm
Effective Range 600 m
Maximum Range 3,700 m
Cyclic Rate of Fire 650 rounds/minute
Operation Gas, selective fire
Feed Device 20-round box magazine
Weight Unloaded 4.3 kg
Length Overall 1,100 mm

A-4
 9-mm Submachinegun Sterling

Cartridge 9- x 19-mm Parabellum

Semiautomatic Fire 185 m
Automatic Fire Approximately 90 m
Cyclic Rate of Fire 550 rounds/minute
Operation Blowback, selective fire
Feed Device 34-round box magazine
Weight Unloaded 2.7 kg
Length 711.0 mm
Using the Sterling Submachinegun: (1) Pull the operating handle to the
rear [the bolt will remain to the rear as the weapon fires from an open-bolt]. (2)
Engage the safety by moving the change lever [located on the left side of the pistol
grip] to the letter S. (3) Insert a loaded 34-round magazine into the magazine well on
the left-side of the receiver, ensuring that it locks in place. (4) Move Safety to letter R
for SEMI or A for AUTO. STERLING IS READY TO FIRE.

A-5
 7.62-mm General Purpose Machinegun FN MAG

Cartridge 7.62 x 51 mm NATO

Effective Range 1,500 m
Cyclic Rate of Fire 650 to 1,000 rounds/minute
Operation Gas, automatic
Feed Device Disintegrating metal link belt
Weight Loaded 13.92 kg (with butt stock and bipod)
Overall Length 1,260 mm

A-6
 0.50-in Heavy Machinegun Browning M2HB

Cartridge 0.50-in Browning (12.7 x 99 mm)

Maximum Range 6,765 m
Effective Range Over 1,500 m
Cyclic Rate of Fire 450 to 600 rounds/minute
Operation Short recoil, selective fire
Feed Device 100-round disintegrating-link belt
Weight Loaded 38 kg
Overall Length 1.656 m

0.50-in (12.7-mm) Antimateriel Rifle Barrett Model 82A1

Caliber 12.7 x 99.0 mm

Maximum Range 2,000 m
Effective Range 1,500 m
Operation Short recoil, semiautomatic fire
Feed Device 10-round box magazine
Weight Loaded 13.6 kg
Overall Length 1,448.0 mm

A-7
 40-mm M203 Grenade Launcher

Cartridge 40 x 46 mm
Operation Breech loaded, sliding barrel
Effective Range Point target 150 m; area target 350 m
Weight Loaded 1.63 kg
Overall Length 380 mm
NOTE: The M203 grenade launcher was originally designed for attachment to the
M16-series assault rifles. The M203 can be used attached to an M16 assault rifle or
M4 carbine, or as a standalone weapon attached to a modified stock.

40-mm Grenade Launcher M79

Range
Effective, Point Target 150 m
Effective, Area Target 350 m
Maximum 400 m
Operation Manual, break-open, single shot
Sights Front, blade; rear, folding leaf, adjustable
Weight Unloaded 2.72 kg
Overall Length 737 mm

A-8
ARMOR
Main Battle Tank T-80U (Ukraine)

Crew 3
Armament
Main Gun 125-mm smoothbore gun
Coaxial 7.62-mm machinegun
Auxiliary 12.7-mm heavy machinegun;
gun-launched ATGM
Maximum Speed 70 km/h
Range 440 km
Gradient/Side Slope 60/40 percent
Vertical Step 1.0 m
Trench 2.85 m
Fording 1.8 m (5.0 m with preparation)
Combat Weight 46,300 kg
Length x Width x Height 9.7 x 3.6 x 2.3 m
Fuel Capacity 1,680 liters and two 200-liter removable drums

A-9
 Main Battle Tank M60A1, M60A3

Crew 4
Armament
Main 105-mm rifled cannon
Coaxial 7.62-mm machinegun
Commander’s Cupola 12.7-mm machinegun
Other Tank-fired ATGM
Maximum Speed 48 km/h
Road Range 480 km
Gradient/Side Slope 60/30 percent
Vertical Step 0.91 m
Trench 2.59 m
Fording 1.22 m (2.4 m with preparation)
Combat Weight 52,600 kg
Overall Length x Width x Height 9.4 x 3.6 x 3.3 m
Fuel Capacity 1,420 liters of diesel

A-10
 Main Battle Tank Chieftain Mk 7/2C, Mk 15 Qayd Al Ardh

Crew 4
Armament
Main 120-mm rifled gun
Coaxial 7.62-mm machinegun
Commander’s Cupola 7.62-mm machinegun
Other 12.7-mm ranging machinegun (optional)
Maximum Speed 48 km/h
Road Range 500 km
Gradient/Side Slope 60/30 percent
Vertical Step 0.91 m
Trench 3.15 m
Fording 1.1 m
Combat Weight 54,100 kg
Overall Length x Width x Height 10.8 x 3.6 x 2.9 m
Fuel Capacity 950 liters of diesel

A-11
 Main Battle Tank Challenger 2

Crew 4
Armament
Main 120-mm rifled gun
Coaxial 7.62-mm chain gun
Loader’s Position Pintle-mounted 12.7-mm machinegun
Other 120-mm rounds may include high-explosive
squash-head (HESH) and APFSDS
Maximum Speed 56 km/h
Road Range 450 km
Gradient/Side Slope 60/30 percent
Vertical Step 0.9 m
Trench 2.34 m
Fording 1.07 m
Combat Weight 62,500 kg
Overall Length x Width x Height 11.6 x 3.5 x 2.5 m (height to top of turret)
Fuel Capacity 1,592 liters of diesel

A-12
 Scorpion Reconnaissance Vehicle

Crew 3
Armament
Main 76-mm rifled gun
Coaxial 7.62-mm machinegun
Other 76-mm rounds may include HESH
Maximum Speed 80 km/h
Road Range Up to 866 km
Gradient/Side Slope 60/45 percent
Vertical Step 0.5 m
Trench 2.06 m
Fording 1.07 m
Combat Weight 8,070 kg
Overall Length x Width x Height 4.4 x 2.2 x 2.1 m (height to top of turret)
Fuel Capacity 423 liters; limited multifuel capacity
NOTE: The Scorpion is air-transportable by C-130.

A-13
 Armored Command Post Stormer

Crew; Passengers 3; 3 to 5
Armament 12.7-mm machinegun
Maximum Speed 80 km/h
Road Range 650 km
Gradient/Side Slope 60/35 percent
Vertical Step 0.6 m
Trench 1.75 m
Fording 1.1 m (1.8 with preparation)
Combat Weight 12,700 kg
Overall Length x Width x Height 5.3 x 2.7 x 2.3 m
Fuel Capacity 405 liters of diesel
NOTE: The Stormer is air-transportable by C-130.

A-14
 Armored Fighting Vehicle Piranha II

Crew; Passengers 2 to 4; 12 (max. total seating 15)

Armament 12.7-mm machinegun in turret on some
Maximum Speed 100 km/h (10.5 km/h on water)
Road Range 780 km
Gradient/Side Slope 70/35 percent
Vertical Step 0.5 m
Fording 1.4 m (also amphibious)
Combat Weight 14,000 kg
Overall Length x Width x Height 7.0 x 2.6 x 1.9 m (height to top of hull)
Fuel Capacity 300 liters of diesel

A-15
 Reconnaissance Vehicle VAB (G)

Crew; Passengers 2; 10 (crew of 3 for VDAA system)

Armament 12.7-mm machinegun (standard), shown above
with twin 20-mm anti-aircraft guns
Maximum Speed 92 km/h (8.5 km/h on water)
Road Range 1,000 km
Gradient/Side Slope 60/35 percent
Vertical Step 0.65 m
Trench 1.5 m
Fording Amphibious
Combat Weight 14,800 kg
Hull Length x Width x Height 6.0 x 2.5 x 2.1 m
Fuel Capacity 300 liters of diesel
NOTE: Shown above is the VDAA Twin 20-mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun system
based on the VAB.

A-16
 Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle VBC 90 (Royal Guard)

Crew 3
Armament
Main 90-mm rifled high-pressure cannon
Coaxial 7.62-mm machinegun
Maximum Speed 92 km/h
Road Range 1,000 km
Gradient/Side Slope 50/30 percent
Vertical Step 0.5 m
Trench 1.0 m
Fording 1.2 m
Combat Weight 13,500 kg
Overall Length x Width x Height 8.1 x 2.5 x 2.6 m (gun forward)
Fuel Type Diesel

A-17
 Armored Personnel Carrier ZSL-92 (WZ 551)

Crew; Passengers 3; 9 or 11
Armament
Main 25-mm automatic cannon or
12.7-mm machinegun
Coaxial 7.62-mm machinegun
Maximum Speed 100 km/h
Road Range 800 km
Gradient/Side Slope 60/30 percent
Vertical Step 0.55 m
Trench 1.2 m
Fording Amphibious
Combat Weight 16,500 kg
Overall Length x Width x Height 6.7 x 2.8 x 3.1 m (height to top of turret)
Fuel Capacity 400 liters of diesel

A-18
 Armored Personnel Carrier Fahd 240

Mission Probably internal security

Crew; Passengers 2; 10
Armament Possibly a machinegun
Maximum Speed 35 km/h
Road Range 400 km
Gradient/Side Slope 70/30 percent
Vertical Step 0.5 m
Trench 0.8 m
Fording 0.7 m
Combat Weight 12,500 kg
Overall Width x Height 2.5 x 2.9 m
Fuel Type Diesel

A-19
 Scout Car Panhard VBL

Crew; Passengers 2 or 3; 4 in squad carrier variant

Armament 7.62- or 12.7-mm machinegun (standard); other
options include ATGMs or SAMs
Maximum Speed 100 km/h (4.0 km/h on water)
Road Range 600 km
Gradient/Side Slope 50/30 percent
Trench 0.5 m
Fording Amphibious
Combat Weight 4,200 kg
Overall Length x Width x Height 3.8 x 2.0 x 2.1 m
Fuel Type Diesel
NOTE: Omani Royal Guard Panhard VBL shown above with Mistral SAMs in an ALBI
launch system.

A-20
ARTILLERY
122-mm Multiple Rocket Launch System Type 90, 90A, 90B

Crew; Section Size 4; 6

Tube Configuration 4 rows of 10 tubes
Ammunition Types HE-frag..; HE-steel-ball; HE-steel-ball-
incendiary; DPICM: AP mine-laying; AT mine-
laying; incendiary
Range 9,600 to 40,000 m (minimum range for
minelaying rocket is 6,000 m)
Rate of Fire 40 rounds in 20 seconds
Traverse Limits 102 degrees left or right (180 degrees to reload)
Elevation Limits 0 to +55 degrees
Emplacement/Displacement Time 6 minutes
Reload Time 3 minutes, using automated reload pack
Vehicle Maximum Speed 85 km/h
Road Range 600 to 800 km, depending on variant
Fording 0.7 m
Travel Weight, Type 90 20,000 kg
Travel Length x Width x Height
Type 90 9.84 x 2.50 x 3.25 m
Type 90A, 90B 9.70 x 2.50 x 3.03 m
NOTE: The automated reload pack is positioned behind the cab. The canopy can be
retracted to allow access to the reload pack, and fully extended to cover the launcher.
The three variants use different prime movers.

A-21
 155-mm Self-propelled Gun-Howitzer G-6

Crew; Section Size 2 to 5; 7

Gun Caliber 155.0 mm x 45.0
Ammunition Types HE-frag.., DPICM, illumination, smoke
Range
Direct Fire 3,000 m
Conventional 30,000 m
Extended Up to 50,000 m
Rate of Fire 3 rounds per minute
Traverse Limits 40.0 degrees left or right
Elevation Limits –5.0 to +75.0 degrees
Emplacement/Displacement Time 1 minute/30 seconds
Vehicle Maximum Speed 85 km/h
Road Range 700 km
Grade 40 percent
Trench 1.0 m
Fording 1.0 m
Travel Weight 47,000 kg
Travel Length x Width x Height 10.4 x 3.4 x 3.5 m

A-22
 155-mm Towed Howitzer FH-70

Crew; Section 7; 8
Gun Caliber 155.0 mm x 39
Ammunition Types HE-frag.., DPICM, smoke, illumination
Range
Conventional 24,700 m
Extended 30,000 m
Rate of Fire
Burst 3 rounds in 13 seconds
Normal 6 rounds per minute
Sustained 2 rounds per minute
Traverse Limits 28 degrees left or right
Elevation Limits –5 to +70 degrees
Emplacement/Displacement Time Less than 2 minutes
Travel Weight 9,300 kg
Travel Length x Width x Height 9.8 x 2.6 x 2.6 m
NOTE: An APU, attached to the carriage, is used to drive the main wheels for moving
the howitzer, provide hydraulic power for steering and raising and lowering the main
and trail wheels, and allow semiautomatic operation. In self-propelled mode the FH-70
can attain speeds up to 16 km/h, negotiate slopes up to 34 percent, and ford to a depth
of 0.75 m. Under tow, it can ford to a depth of 1.5 m.

A-23
 130-mm Towed Gun Type 59-1

Gun Caliber 130.0 mm x 52.0

Ammunition Types HE-frag.., HE-fragmentation-incendiary,
DPICM, illumination, smoke
Range
Direct Fire 1,170 m
Indirect Fire 7,800 to 27,150 m (38,000 m extended)
Rate of Fire
Burst 8 to 10 rounds per minute
Normal 6 rounds per minute
Traverse Limits Left 30.0 degrees, right 28.0 degrees
Elevation Limits –2.5 to +45.0 degrees
Travel Weight 6,300 kg
Travel Length x Width x Height 10.8 x 2.4 x 2.8 m

A-24
 130-mm Towed Gun M-46

Crew; Section 7; 8
Gun Caliber 130.0 mm x 58.5
Range, Indirect Fire 5.4 to 27.2 km (direct fire up to 1.2 km)
Rate of Fire
Burst 8 rounds per minute
Normal 6 rounds per minute
Sustained 5 rounds per minute
Traverse Limit 25 degrees left or right
Elevation Limits –2 to +45 degrees
Emplacement/Displacement Time 6/7 minutes
Travel Weight 8,450 kg
Travel Length x Width x Height 11.7 x 2.5 x 2.6 m

A-25
 122-mm Howitzer D-30 Lyagushka

Crew 5
Gun Caliber 122.0 mm x 38.0
Range
Direct Fire 1,000 m
Indirect Fire 15,300 m
Rate of Fire
Burst 8 rounds per minute
Normal 6 rounds per minute
Sustained 4 rounds per minute
Traverse Limit 360 degrees
Elevation Limits –7 to +70 degrees
Emplacement/Displacement Time 1.5/3 minute
Combat Weight 3,210 kg
Travel Length x Width x Height 5.40 x 1.95 x 1.68 m

A-26
 105-mm Towed Field Gun-Howitzer L118 (Light Gun)

Crew; Section 7; 8
Range, Indirect Fire 2,500 to 17,200 m
Rate of Fire
Burst 8 rounds per minute
Normal 6 rounds per minute
Sustained 3 rounds per minute
Traverse Limit 360 degrees (on platform)
Elevation Limits –5.5 to +70 degrees
Emplacement/Displacement Time <2 minutes
Travel Weight 1,860 kg
Travel Length x Width x Height 4.9 x 1.8 x 1.4 m

A-27
 120-mm Towed Mortar MO-120-LT

Crew; Section 4; 5
Ammunition Types HE-frag. (PR 14, PR PA), IR illumination
Range 200 to 9,000 m (varies with projectile type)
Rate of Fire
Burst 20 rounds per minute
Normal 8 rounds per minute, up to 60 rounds
Sustained 4 rounds per minute
Traverse Limits 4.0 degrees left or right
Elevation Limits +30 to +85 degrees
Travel Weight 247 kg
Travel Length x Width 2.20 x 1.50 m
Emplacement/Displacement Time <3/<2 minutes
Prime Mover 4x4 truck
NOTE: a range of 13,000 m is possible with the PR PA rocket-assisted projectile.

A-28
 4.2-in (107-mm) Mortar M30

Crew 6
Ammunition Types HE-frag., illumination, and smoke
Range 920 to 6,600 m
Rate of Fire
Sustained 3 rounds per minute
Normal 9 rounds per minute for 5 minutes
Burst 18 rounds per minute for 1 minute
Traverse Limits 360 degrees
Elevation Limits +40 to +65 degrees
Weight Complete 305 kg
Barrel Length 1.524 m
Prime Mover 2-ton truck (mortar not normally towed)

A-29
 81-mm Mortar L16

Crew; Section Size 3; 5

Range 5,650 m
Rate of Fire
Sustained 10 rounds per minute
Normal 15 rounds per minute
Burst 20 rounds per minute
Traverse Limits
At +45 Degrees of Elevation 5.5 degrees left or right
At +85 Degrees of Elevation 18.0 degrees left or right
Elevation Limits +45.0 to +85.0 degrees
Feed Muzzle loaded
Weight Empty 38.3 kg
Barrel Length 1,280 mm

A-30
ANTI-ARMOR
MILAN 1, 2 Antitank Guided Weapon

Crew 1
Effective Range 25 to 2,000 m
Warhead HEAT (1.36 or 1.79 kg HE)
Guidance Wire-guided SACLOS
Armor Penetration Up to 880 mm
Missile Diameter; Wingspan 125 mm; 267 mm
Combat Weight (munition in tube) 12.23 kg
System Length x Diameter 1.3 x 0.133 m
NOTE: Base version is MILAN 1. MILAN 2 is designed for increased armor penetra-
tion. The system consists of the missile, sealed in a transport-launch tube, and a firing
post.

A-31
 Antitank Guided Missile System BGM-71A TOW

Type Tube-launched optically tracked, wire-com-

mand-link-guided missile
Crew 4
Key System Components Tripod, traversing unit, launch tube, optical
sight, missile guidance set
Range 65 to 3,750 m
Warhead HEAT
Guidance Wire command link
Launcher Weight 93 kg
Missile Weight 28.1 kg
Missile Length x Max. Diameter 1,174 x 221 mm (TOW 2A)
NOTE: TOW can also be mounted to vehicles and helicopters.

A-32
 40-mm Grenade Launcher RPG-7

Type Shoulder-fired rocket-propelled grenade

launcher
Grenade Types HEAT, tandem, thermobaric, shaped-charge,
HE-frag., and incendiary (grenades consist of
warhead and two-stage rocket motor)
Effective Range
Moving Target 330 m
Stationary Target 500 m
Maximum Range (Self Destruct) Approximately 950 m (4.5 seconds after launch)
Rate of Fire 4 to 6 rounds per minute
Grenade Caliber 40.0 mm
Armor Penetration 260 mm or greater (depending on grenade)
Launcher Length x Diameter 950 x 40 mm
Using the RPG: (1) Insert grenade tail first into the muzzle of the launcher [en-
sure that the small projection mates with the muzzle to line up the percussion cap
with the hammer] (2) Remove nose cap, pull safety pin. RPG IS READY TO FIRE.
(3) Place launcher over shoulder, sight target, squeeze trigger.
WARNING: ENSURE BACKBLAST AREA IS CLEAR.

A-33
 Disposable Light Antitank Weapon LAW 80

Crew 1
Rocket Diameter; Wingspan 94 mm
Effective Range 500 m
Warhead Type HEAT
Guidance Unguided
Armor Penetration >700 mm
Travel Weight, System 10 kg
Launcher Length
Travel Mode 1.0 m
Extended for Firing 1.4 m
NOTE: Warhead arms 10 to 20 m from launch tube. A 9-mm semiautomatic spot-
ting rifle with five rounds ballistically matched to the rocket is built into the system.
The launcher can be extended and retracted any number of times before the rocket is
launched. Shown above extended for firing; note end caps on ground.

A-34
AIR DEFENSE
Towed Low-Level Surface-to-Air Missile System Rapier

Type Single-stage low-altitude SAM system

Range 0.5 to >7,000 m
Engagement Altitude <15 to >3,000 m
Payload 1.4-kg SAP warhead with 0.4 kg HE with crush
fuze or combined fragmentation-armor-pierc-
ing with impact and proximity fuzing
Fuze Impact (crush) or impact-proximity
Guidance Optical SACLOS, thermal SACLOS, or ACLOS
using tracking radar
Missile Weight 43 kg
Wingspan 0.381 m
Missile Length x Diameter 2.24 x 0.133 m
Launcher Weight 1,227 kg
Launcher Length x Width x Height 4.06 x 1.77 x 2.13 m

A-35
 Point Air Defense Missile System Crotale CN2

Type Ship-based SAM system

Range 11 km (5.9 nmi)
Maximum Engagement Altitude 6,000 m
Payload 13-kg focused-fragment warhead
Fuze RF proximity
Guidance Command
Missile Weight 73 kg
Missile Length x Diameter 2.34 x 0.165 m
Launch Container Weight 144 kg
Container Length x Diameter 3.2 x 0.515 m
NOTE: Shown above is a Crotale CN2 launcher on Oman’s QAHIR AL AMWAJ Class
corvette.

A-36
 Low-Altitude Manportable Surface-to-Air Missile System
Mistral 1, Mistral 2

Basic System Components 2-stage missile, tripod, electronics box, sighting

system, battery-coolant unit
Effective Range 300 to >6,000 m varies with missile and target
Effective Altitude 5 to 3,000+ m
Warhead 3-kg HE-fragmentation
Fuze Contact and active laser proximity
Guidance Passive IR-homing
Weight of Container and Missile 24 kg (missile 19 kg)
Wingspan 0.2 m
Missile Length x Diameter 1.86 x 0.0925 m
NOTE: Weights are for Mistral 1, MIstral 2 is lighter. Oman uses the ALBI turreted
launch system (see VBL armored vehicle), which has two launchers and carries six
missiles.

A-37
 Manportable Surface-to-Air Missile System Javelin

Basic System Components Missile in sealed launch container, aiming unit

Effective Range 300 to 4,500 m
Effective Altitude 10 to 3,000 m
Warhead 2.74-kg HE-frag./shaped-charge
Fuze Impact or proximity, selectable
Guidance Semiautomatic command-to-line-of-sight
(SACLOS)
Missile Launch Weight 12.7 kg
Wingspan 275 mm
Missile Length x Diameter 1,390 x 76 mm
NOTE: A light-weight multiround manportable launcher is available. Multiround launch-
ers are available for shipborne installations..

A-38
 Manportable Surface-to-Air Missile System Sakr Eye

Type 2-stage, low-altitude manportable SAM system

Effective Range 4,400 m
Effective Altitude 30 to 2,400 m
Maximum Target Speed Outbound 800 km/h; inbound 540 km/h
Number of Reloads 5 per launcher
Warhead 1-kg HE-fragmentation
Fuze Contact and graze
Guidance Infrared passive homing
Combat Weight 15 kg
Missile Length x Diameter 1.4 x 0.072 m
NOTE: Sakr Eye is based on the Strela-2 (SA-7) MANPADS. Shown above with op-
tional night sight and IFF unit.

A-39
 Manportable Surface-to-Air Missile System
9K32/9K32M Strela-2, -2M (SA-7a, -7b GRAIL)

Type 2-stage, low-altitude manportable SAM system

Effective Range 800 to 3,200 m (4,200 m for Strela-2M)
Effective Altitude 50 to 1,500 m (2,300 m for Strela-2M)
Maximum Target Speed Outbound 800 km/h; inbound 540 km/h
Number of Reloads 5 per launcher
Warhead 1.17 kg HE-frag. with contact fuze
Guidance Infrared passive homing
Combat Weight 9.15 kg (9.6 for Strela-2M)
Launcher Length 1.49 m
NOTE: Launcher may be reused up to five times.

A-40
 40-mm Air Defense Artillery System Bofors L/60

Type Single-barrel antiaircraft gun

Crew 3 to 6
Caliber 40.0 mm x 311R
Ammunition HE-T, APHC-T, PFHE, AP-T
Range
Tactical 1,500 m on carriage, 2,500 m off carriage
Horizontal 9,900 m
Vertical 6,700 m
Maximum Rate of Fire 120 rounds per minute
Operation Recoil, automatic fire
Feed Device 4-round clip
Traverse Limit; Rate Unlimited; 60 degrees per second powered,
30 degrees per second manual
Elevation Limit; Rate –6 to +90 degrees; 32 degrees per second
powered, 20 degrees per second manual
Emplacement Time 3 minutes
Weight 2,676 kg
Length x Width 5.73 x 1.83 m
Travel Speed (towed) 60 km/h

A-41
35-mm Twin Air Defense Artillery Gun GDF-001, -002, -003, and -005

Crew 3 (GDF-001 to -003) or 1 (GDF-005)

Ammunition 35- x 228-mm HEI, HEI-T, SAPHEI-T, APDS-T,
PFHE
Range
Tactical Anti-aircraft Up to 4,000 m, depending on radar system
used
Maximum Vertical 8,500 m
Maximum Horizontal 11,200 m
Rate of Fire per Barrel 550 rounds per minute
Feed Device 7-round clip packed in a 56-round reload
container
Emplacement/Displacement Time 2 to 4/5 minutes
Traverse Limits; Rate Unlimited; 120 degrees per second
Elevation Limits; Rate –5 to +92 degrees; 60 degrees per second
Combat Weight 6,300 to 6,400 kg (GDF-001 to -003),
7,700 (GDF-005)
NOTE: GDF-005 shown.

A-42
 23-mm Twin Anti-aircraft Gun ZU-23-2

Crew 5
Ammunition Types 23.0 x 152B mm API-T, HEI, HEI-T
Range
Tactical Antiaircraft 2,500 m
Maximum Vertical 5,100 m
Maximum Horizontal 7,000 m
Rate of Fire per Barrel 800 to 1,000 rounds per minute
Traverse Limit; Rate 360 degrees; 74 degrees per second
Elevation Limit; Rate –10 to +90 degrees; 54 degrees per second
Weight 950 kg
Length x Width x Height 4.60 x 1.86 x 2.07 m
Platform 2-wheel towed 2A13 carriage or various
vehicles.

A-43
AIRCRAFT
F-16C, -16D Advanced Block 50 Fighting Falcon

Mission Multirole fighter

Crew 1 (C) or 2 in two tandem cockpits (D)
Maximum Level Speed > Mach 2.0 at 12,200 m
Ferry Range 2,415 nmi (with external fuel, without CFTs)
Combat Radius Up to approximately 1,000 nmi, depending on
fuel and weapons configuration
Service Ceiling >15,240 m
Armament
Primary 20-mm multibarrel cannon, wingtip air-to-air
missiles
Secondary Combination of precision guided or unguided
air-to-surface weapons, antiship missiles,
antiradiation missiles, air-to-air missiles
Maximum External Load
F-16C (with CFTs) 8,742 (9,190) kg
Maximum Takeoff Weight 21,772 kg (Block 52D with full external load)
Weight Empty
F-16C (with CFTs) 9,017 (9,466) kg
F-16D (with CFTs) 9,419 (9,867) kg
Length x Wingspan x Height 15.03 x 9.45 x 5.09 m (Block 52)
NOTE: CFT – conformal (external) fuel tank.

A-44
 Jaguar International OS, OB

Mission
OB Operational trainer
OS Tactical support
Crew OB 2 tandem; OS 1
Maximum Level Speed 917 kn at 11,000 m
Ferry Range 1,902 nmi with external fuel stores
Typical Combat Radius
Hi-lo-hi, Internal (External) Fuel 460 (760) nmi
Lo-lo-lo, Internal (External) Fuel 290 (495) nmi
Armament
Primary 2x 30-mm cannon; 2x AAMs
Secondary Various bombs, cluster bombs, air-to-surface
missiles or rockets, antiradiation missiles
Maximum External Load 4,763 kg
Maximum Takeoff Weight 15,700 kg
Typical Weight Empty 7,000 kg
Length x Wingspan x Height
OB 17.53 x 8.69 x 4.89 m
OS 16.83 x 8.69 x 4.89 m

A-45
 Hawk Mk 203

Mission Multirole fighter; reconnaissance

Crew 1
Maximum Level Speed 540 kn at sea level
Economy Cruising Speed 430 kn at 12,500 m
Ferry Range 1,365 nmi with 2x drop tanks
Service Ceiling 13,715 m
Typical Combat Radius
Airspace Denial 100 nmi with 2-hour loiter on station
Close Air Support 115 nmi
Armament Various air-to-air missiles, gun pods, bombs,
rockets, air-to-surface missiles
Maximum Weapon Load 3,000 kg
Maximum Takeoff Weight 9,100 kg
Basic Weight Empty 4,450 kg
Length x Wingspan x Height 11.38 x 9.39 x 4.13 m

A-46
 Hawk Mk 103

Mission Ground Attack

Crew 2 tandem
Maximum Level Speed 540 kn at sea level
Ferry Range 1,360 nmi
Endurance Approximately 2 hours
Service Ceiling 13,565 m
Armament 30-mm gun pod and various rockets, bombs,
cluster bombs, air-to-air missiles
Maximum Weapon Load 3,000 kg
Maximum Takeoff Weight 9,100 kg
Weight Empty 4,400 kg
Overall Length x Wingspan x Height 12.43 x 9.08 x 3.98 m

A-47
 One-Eleven Series 485GD

Mission Short- to medium-range transport

Crew; Passengers 2; up to 89
Maximum Level Cruise Speed 470 kn at 6,400 m
Economy Cruising Speed 400 kn at 7,620 m
Range Up to 2,549 nmi
Maximum Cruising Height 10,670 m
Maximum Payload 9,647 kg
Maximum Takeoff Weight 41,730 to 44,678 kg
Operating Weight Empty 23,464 kg
Length x Wingspan x Height 28.50 x 28.50 x 7.47 m
NOTE: The 485GD is very similar to the 475 model shown above.

A-48
 SC.7 Skyvan 3M (and Seavan)

Mission Transport; maritime surveillance, search and

rescue
Crew; Passengers 1 or 2; 22 equipped troops, 16 paratroops and
a dispatcher, or 12 stretcher cases and two
medical attendants
Maximum Cruising Speed 175 kn at 3,050 m
Economy Cruising Speed 150 kn at 3,050 m
Range, Typical Freight Mission 208 nmi
Service Ceiling 6,705 m
Max. Payload , Normal (Overload) 2,358 (2,721) kg
Max. T-O Weight, Normal (Overload) 6,214 (6,577) kg
Basic Weight Empty 3,356 kg
Length x Wingspan x Height 12.21 x 19.79 x 4.60 m
NOTE: Skyvan is capable of STOL. STOL takeoff run is approximately 240 m. Executive
version has luxury accommodation for 9 passengers. One of Oman’s Skyvans has been
modified with oil spill dispersant spraying equipment, including fixed spray-bars on the
rear fuselage; its internal tanks and associated equipment are quickly removable for
freight transport. Three Skyvans have been locally modified for maritime surveillance
and search and rescue missions.

A-49
 PC-9M

Type Advanced turbo trainer

Crew 2
Maximum Operating Speed 320 kn
Maximum Cruising Speed 270 kn at sea level
Ferry Range 1,065
Service Ceiling 11,580 m
Endurance 4:30
Armament 12.7-mm gun pods, rocket pods possible
Maximum Underwing Stores 1,040 kg
Maximum Takeoff Weight 3,200 kg
Basic Weight Empty 1,725 kg
Length x Wingspan x Height 10.13 x 10.18 x 3.26 m

A-50
 SA 330J Puma

Type Medium multimission helicopter

Crew; Passengers 2; 18
Armament Possibly a side-firing 20-mm gun, axial-firing
7.62-mm machineguns, rockets, ATGMs
Maximum Speed 167 kn
Range, Full Load 310 nmi at 120 kn
Service Ceiling 4,800 m
Maximum Payload 3,448.0 kg
Cargo Handling or Sling Load 3,200 kg
Normal Design Takeoff Weight 7,400 kg
Basic Weight Empty 3,536 kg
Main Rotor
Number of Blades 4
Diameter 15.0 m
Tail Rotor
Number of Blades 5
Diameter 3.04 m
Fuselage Length x Width x Height 14.06 x 3.50 x 4.54 m

A-51
 C-130H Hercules

Mission Tactical transport and multimission

Crew 4 or 5
Passengers 92 troops, 64 paratroopers, or 74 litter patients
with 2 attendants
Maximum Cruise Speed 325 kn
Range
With Maximum Payload 2,046 nmi
With Standard Load, Max. Fuel 4,250 nmi
Service Ceiling 10,060 m
Maximum Payload 19,356 kg
Maximum Normal Takeoff Weight 70,310 kg
Operating Weight Empty 34,686 kg
Length x Wingspan x Height 29.79 x 40.41 x 11.66 m

A-52
 NH90 TTH

Mission Tactical transport

Crew; Passengers 1 to 3; 20
Armament Possible weapons include Stinger AAMs
Maximum Speed 165 kn
Range 432 nmi
Endurance 4:30
Service Ceiling 6,000 m
Maximum Payload 2,500 kg
Cargo Handling or Sling Load
Normal Design Takeoff Weight 10,000 kg
Maximum Design Takeoff Weight 10,600 kg
Basic Weight Empty 5,945 kg
Main Rotor
Number of Blades 4
Diameter 16.3 m
Tail Rotor
Number of Blades 4
Diameter 3.2 m
Fuselage Length x Width x Height 16.13 x 3.63 x 4.25 m

A-53
 AS 332C, AS 332L1 Super Puma

Type Multirole helicopter; VIP transport

Crew; Passengers
AS 332C 2; 19
AS 332L1 2; 20
Armament (Military Versions) Possibly a side-firing 20-mm gun, axial-firing
7.62-mm machineguns, rockets, ATGMs
Maximum Speed 167 kn
Range, Full Load 310 nmi at 120 kn
Service Ceiling Approximately 4,500 m
Maximum Payload 3,086.0 kg
Cargo Handling or Sling Load 3,200 kg
Maximum Design Takeoff Weight
AS 332L1 8,700 kg (9,000 kg with external load)
Basic Weight Empty Approximately 4,500 kg
Main Rotor
Number of Blades 4
Diameter 15.58 m
Tail Rotor
Number of Blades 5
Diameter 3.05 m
Fuselage Length x Width x Height
AS 332C 15.52 x 3.79 x 4.92 m
AS 332L1 16.29 x 3.79 x 4.92 m (height overall)
NOTE: VIP configuration has seating for 8 to 15 passengers.

A-54
 AW 139

Type Medium Lift Helicopter

Crew; Passengers 2; 15
Maximum Continuous Speed
Maximum Dash Speed 167 kg
Service Ceiling 6,096 m
Range, Normal Takeoff Weight 442 nmi at 140 kn and 6,000 kg
Maximum Payload 2,198.0 kg
Maximum Design Takeoff Weight 6,400.0 kg
Basic Empty Weight 3,622.0 kg
Main Rotor
Number of Blades 5
Diameter 13.80 m
Tail Rotor
Number of Blades 4
Diameter 2.70 m
Fuselage Length x Width x Height 13.52 x 2.26 x 3.72 m

A-55
 WG.13 Super Lynx Mk 120 (Series 300)

Mission Antisubmarine warfare; armed escort; search

and rescue
Crew; Passengers 2; 9
Maximum Continuous Speed 150 kn
Cruise Speed 132 kn
Range, Max. Takeoff Weight 540 nmi at 132 kn (using auxiliary fuel tanks)
Armament (optional) Torpedoes or anti-ship missiles
Maximum Design Takeoff Weight 5,330 kg
Manufacturer’s Basic Weight 3,291 kg
Main Rotor
Number of Blades 4
Diameter 12.80 m
Tail Rotor
Number of Blades 4
Diameter 2.36 m
Overall Length x Width x Height 13.33 x 2.94 x 3.67 m

A-56
 AB 212

Type Multirole utility helicopter

Crew; Passengers 2; 13
Armament Provisions for door-mounted crew-served
weapons
Maximum Dash Speed 135 kn
Maximum Range 270 nmi
Cargo Handling or Sling Load Cap. 2,268 kg
Maximum Design Takeoff Weight 5,080 kg
Basic Empty Weight Approximately 2,800 kg
Main Rotor
Number of Blades 2
Main Rotor Diameter 14.6 m
Tail Rotor
Number of Blades 2
Main Rotor Diameter 2.6 m
Fuselage Length x Width x Height 12.9 x 2.9 (skid width) x 4.0 m

A-57
 Bell 205, 205A-1 (UH-1H Iroquois); HH-1H

Type Medium-Lift Transport

Crew; Passengers 2; 11
Maximum Speed 115 kn
Range 270 nmi
Armament Provisions for crew-served, door-mounted
weapons
Cargo Handling or Sling Load 1,814.4.kg
Maximum Takeoff Weight 4,309.2 kg
Basic Empty Weight 2,237.0 kg
Main Rotor
Number of Blades 2
Diameter 14.72 m
Tail Rotor
Number of Blades 2
Main Rotor Diameter 2.59 m
Fuselage Length x Width x Height 17.37 x 2.61 x 3.87 m (with skid)

A-58
 AB-206B Jet Ranger II

Role Light-lift transport

Seating 4
Armament 70-mm rockets possible
Maximum Dash Speed 122 kn
Range, Typical Mission 300 nmi at 118 kn
Service Ceiling 6,100 m
Maximum Takeoff Weight 1,451.5 kg
Empty Weight Approximately 1,000 kg
Main Rotor
Number of Blades 2
Diameter 10.2 m
Tail Rotor
Number of Blades 2
Diameter 1.7 m
Fuselage Length x Width x Height 9.6 x 1.96 x 2.9 m (including skids)

A-59
SHIPS
QAHIR AL AMWAJ Class FFL
(VIGILANCE, VOSPER THORNYCROFT 83-METER Class)

LOA x Max. Beam x Max. Draft 83.7 x 11.5 x 3.5 m

Displacement, Full Load 1,450 metric tons
Complement 81 plus 21 spare berths
Speed, Full Power 30.5 kn
Range 4,000 nmi at 10 kn
Armament
Missiles 2x quadruple launchers for Exocet antiship
missiles; 8-tube launcher for Crotale NG SAMs
Guns 1x 76-mm x 62; 2x 20-mm x 85; 2x 12.7-mm
Torpedoes
Other
Aviation Platform for Super Puma
Radar Systems
Surface-Search/Navigation KH-1007
Early Warning MW-08
Fire Control Signaal STING
Acoustic Systems
Antisubmarine Warfare ATAS
Navigation Echo sounder
Electro-optical Systems
Fire Control STING
Target Designator TDS
Missile Control TRAKIR

A-60
 AL BUSHRA Class PC

LOA x Max. Beam x Max. Draft 54 x 8 x 2.5 m

Displacement, Full Load 473 metric tons
Complement 24
Speed, Full Power 24 kn
Range 2,400 nmi at 15 kn
Guns 1x 76-mm x 62; 2x 20-mm x 85; 2x 12.7-mm
Radar Systems
Surface-Search/Navigation KH-1007
Fire Control/Target Tracking CEROS-200
Acoustic Navigation System Echo sounder
Electro-optical Systems
Weapon Control Possibly 9LV 207 Mk 3

A-61
 PROVINCE (DHOFAR) Class PTG

LOA x Max. Beam x Max. Draft 56.7 x 8.2 x 2.4 m

Displacement, Full Load 400 metric tons
Complement 44
Speed 38 kn
Range 2,000 nmi at 18 kn
Armament
Missiles 2x triple or quadruple launchers for Exocet
antiship missiles
Guns 1x 76-mm x 62; 1x twin 40-mm x 70;
1x or 2x 20-mm x 85; 2x 12.7-mm x 90
Radar Systems
Surface-Search Decca 1226
Air/Surface-Search AWS-4 or AWS-6 (some in class)
Target Acquisition 9LV-200 TA (most in class)
Target Tracking 9LV-200 TT (most)
Acoustic Navigation System MS 45 echo sounder
Electro-optical Systems
Fire Control 9LV100 and 9LV200 (most) or Sea Archer 2
Fire Director OFD (component of Sea Archer system)

A-62
 SEEB (VOSPER 25-M) Class PB

LOA x Max. Beam x Mean Draft 25.2 x 5.8 x 1.6 m

Displacement, Full Load 90 metric tons
Complement 18
Speed, Full Power 25 kn
Range 750 nmi at 14 kn
Guns 1x 20-mm x 70; 2x 7.62-mm
Navigation Radar System Decca 914 RM

A-63
 KARLSKRONA 29-M (CG 29) Class WPB

LOA x Max. Beam x Max. Draft 28.9 x 5.4 x 1.3 m

Displacement, Full Load 84 metric tons
Complement 13
Speed, Full Power 25 kn
Range 600 nmi at 15 kn
Guns 2x 20-mm x 70
Navigation Radar Systems Decca 110; Decca 50

A-64
 NASR AL BAHR (BROOKE MARINE 93-M) Class LST

LOA x Beam x Mean Draft 93 x 15.5 x 2.6 m

Displacement, Full Load 2,500 metric tons
Complement 55
Speed, Full Power 15 kn
Range 4,000 nmi at 13 kn
Guns 2x twin 40-mm x 70; 2x 20-mm x 70; 2x 12.7-
mm
Equipment 1x 16-Mton traveling crane; 2x LCPs
Military Lift
Embarked Troops 240
Main Battle Tanks 7
Beaching Load 400 metric tons
Aviation Platform for Super Puma
Radar Systems
Surface-Search/Navigation Decca 1630S AC
Navigation Decca 1290 RM
Other Type S810
Acoustic Navigation System Echo sounder
Electro-optical Systems
Fire Control 9LV100

A-65
 SABA AL BAHR (VOSPER 30-M) Class LCU

LOA x Max. Beam x Max. Draft 30 x 8.2 x 1.5 m

Displacement, Full Load 260 metric tons
Complement 11
Speed, Full Power 8 kn
Range 1,800 nmi at 8 kn
Military Lift 2x main battle tanks
Beaching Load 100 metric tons (up to 45 tons on cargo deck)
Radar System
Surface-Search/Navigation Decca 50
LEWIS OFFSHORE 25-M (AL NEEMRAN) Class LCU

LOA x Max. Beam x Max. Draft 25.5 x 7.4 x 1.8 m

Displacement, Full Load 230 metric tons
Complement 8
Speed, Full Power 8 kn
Military Lift 2x main battle tanks
Radar Systems
Surface-Search/Navigation Decca 50

A-66
 FULK AL SALAMAH Class WAG

LOA x Max. Beam x Max. Draft 136.3 x 21 x 6 m

Displacement, Full Load 1,000 metric tons
Speed, Full Power 19.5 kn
Equipment 2x LCPs; 2x hydraulic cranes; 1x kingpost with
boom
Aviation Flight deck and twin hangar for up to 2x Super
Pumas
Embarked Troops 240
Navigation Radar System 2x Racal Decca
Acoustic Navigation System Echo sounder
NOTE: may be armed with Javelin SAM system.

A-67
 AL SULTANA Class AK

LOA x Max. Beam x Max. Draft 65.7 x 10.8 x 4.2 m

Displacement, Full Load 1,700 metric tons
Complement 12
Speed, Maximum Sustained 11.2 kn
Equipment 1-Mton traveling gantry crane
Surface-Search/Navigation Decca 1226

AL MABRUKAH AXT

LOA x Max. Beam x Max. Draft 61.5 x 10.7 x 3.1 m

Displacement, Full Load 945 metric tons
Complement 71 plus 37 trainees
Speed, Full Power 16.3 kn
Range 4,000 nmi at 15 kn
Guns 1x 40-mm x 70; 2x 20-mm x 85; 4x 12.7-mm
Equipment 2x Rotork landing craft
Aviation Helicopter platform
Radar Systems
Surface-Search/Navigation Decca 1226
Acoustic Navigation System MS 32F echo sounder

A-68
 AL RAHMANIYA Class YGS

LOA x Max. Beam x Max. Draft 15.5 x 4 x 1 m

Displacement, Full Load 23.6 metric tons
Complement 6
Speed, Full Power 14 kn
Range 500 nmi at 12 kn
Navigation Radar System Decca 50
Acoustic Systems
Navigation/Survey Echo Sounder; MS 48

A-69
antiship missiles
AGM-84D (Block 1C) Harpoon

Type Air-launched long-range radar-guided antiship

missile
Range 120 nmi
Warhead 222-kg HE blast-penetration
Guidance Inertial with active radar
Fuze Delayed-action impact
Launch Weight 556 kg
Wingspan 0.91 m
Length x Diameter 3.85 x 0.343 m
NOTE: Air platforms include P-3, F-15, and F-16. Block 1C missiles follow a sea-skim-
ming terminal attack profile.

A-70
 AM 39, MM 40 Block 2 Exocet

Type
AM 39 Air-launched medium-range antiship missile
MM 40 Block 2 Ship-launched medium-range antiship missile
Range 38 nmi
Payload 165-kg blast-fragmentation warhead
Guidance Inertial and active radar
Fuze Delayed impact and proximity
Launch Weight
AM 39 670 kg
MM 40 Block 2 870 kg
Wingspan Approximately 1 m
Missile Length x Diameter
AM 39 4.69 x 0.35 m
MM 40 Block 2 5.8 x 0.35 m
NOTE: Maximum range is achieved with the aid of over-the-horizon targeting data from
aircraft or another ship. The Exocet follows a sea-skimming flight profile; the MM 40
can fly at an altitude of 2 to 3 m, depending on Sea State. The MM 40 also can be
preprogrammed to follow a specific route to the target area and carry out specific flight
maneuvers.

A-71
 Franz Josef
Land
Arctic Ocean Severnaya
Zemlya
Spitsbergen
New Siberian
Mould Bay Islands
APPENDIX B:

Arctic Ocean
Resolute Standard time is advanced one Nordvik
hour, the year round, in Russia Dickson
Tiksi
Murmansk Ambarchik
Igarka
Taasiilaq Novyy Verkhoyansk
Nome Reykjavik Anadyr
Fairbanks Port
Whitehorse Helsinki Yakutsk
Anchorage Oslo Magadan
Juneau Churchill Stockholm Leningrad Sverdlovsk Novosibirsk
Moscow Aloutian
Edmonton Dublin Berlin Irkutsk Islands
Aloutian Warsaw
Islands Winnipeg -3h30m London Kiyev
Seattle Montreal St. Johns Paris Budapest
Detroit Belgrade
Boise Chicago New York Madrid Rome Istanbul Baku Beijing
San Francisco Seoul

B-1
Denver St. Louis Washington D.C. Azores Lisbon Tunis Tehran Kabul Lanzhou Tokyo
Date Line
International

Los Angeles Bermuda Algiers Baghdad +3h30m +4h

Houston Tripoli New
Miami Atlantic Cairo 30m Delhi Pacific Ocean
International Time Zones

Honolulu Mecca Calcutta Taiwan Midway

Mexico Havana Ocean Khartoum Bombay Hanoi Hong Kong Wake
Hawaii Pacific Dakar
Managua Sanaa +5h30m Bangkok Manilla Guam
Ocean Caracas Addis +6h30m
Panama -3h30m Lagos Marshall
Bogota Monrovia Accra Ababa Colombo Caroline Islands
Galapagos Quito Kampala Nairobi Singapore Islands
Marquesas Islands Kinshasa
Islands Manaus Dar es Indian
Salvador Luanda Jakarta
-9h30m Lima Salaam Ocean Darwin Fiji
Samoa La Paz Lusaka
Brasilia Harare Antananarlvo
Cook Windhoek New
Rio de +9h Caledonia
Islands Asuncion Maputo
Janeiro Brisbane
Santiago Perth 30m
Cape Town Sydney
Buenos Melbourne
Aires
Wellington
San Julian
Boundary representations are not
necessarily authoritative. Falkland Brown and Yellow: Hourly Zones
Islands Green: Irregular Time Zones
-11 -10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5 +6 +7 +8 +9 +10 +11 +12-
Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)
To use the table, go to the country you are interested in, and add
the number of hours corresponding to the United States time zone
to the current time. The UTC is also known as Greenwich Mean
Time (GMT).
Country UTC Eastern Central Mountain Pacific
Afghanistan +4.5 H +9.5 H +10.5 H +11.5 H +12.5 H
Albania +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Algeria +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
American Samoa -11.0 H -6.0 H -5.0 H -4.0 H -3.0 H
Andorra +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Angola +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Antarctica -2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H +5.0 H +6.0 H
Antigua and Barbuda -4.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H
Argentina -3.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H +5.0 H
Armenia +4.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H +11.0 H +12.0 H
Aruba -4.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H
Ascension +0.0 H +5.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H
Australia North +9.5 H +14.5 H +15.5 H +16.5 H +17.5 H
Australia South +10.0 H +15.0 H +16.0 H +17.0 H +18.0 H
Australia West +8.0 H +13.0 H +14.0 H +15.0 H +16.0 H
Australia East +10.0 H +15.0 H +16.0 H +17.0 H +18.0 H
Austria +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Azerbaijan +3.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H +11.0 H
Bahamas -5.0 H +0.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H
Bahrain +3.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H +11.0 H
Bangladesh +6.0 H +11.0 H +12.0 H +13.0 H +14.0 H
Barbados -4.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H
Belarus +2.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H
Belgium +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Belize -6.0 H -1.0 H +0.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H
Benin +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Bermuda -4.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H
Bhutan +6.0 H +11.0 H +12.0 H +13.0 H +14.0 H

B-2
Country UTC Eastern Central Mountain Pacific
Bolivia -4.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H
Bosnia Herzegovina +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Botswana +2.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H
Brazil East -3.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H +5.0 H
Brazil West -4.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H
British Virgin Islands -4.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H
Brunei +8.0 H +13.0 H +14.0 H +15.0 H +16.0 H
Bulgaria +2.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H
Burkina Faso +0.0 H +5.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H
Burundi +2.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H
Cambodia +7.0 H +12.0 H +13.0 H +14.0 H +15.0 H
Cameroon +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Canada East -5.0 H +0.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H
Canada Central -6.0 H -1.0 H +0.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H
Canada Mountain -7.0 H -2.0 H -1.0 H +0.0 H +1.0 H
Canada West -8.0 H -3.0 H -2.0 H -1.0 H +0.0 H
Cape Verde -1.0 H +4.0 H +5.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H
Cayman Islands -5.0 H +0.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H
Central African Rep. +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Chad Republic +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Chile -4.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H
China +8.0 H +13.0 H +14.0 H +15.0 H +16.0 H
Christmas Island -10.0 H -5.0 H -4.0 H -3.0 H -2.0 H
Colombia -5.0 H +0.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H
Congo +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Cook Island -10.0 H -5.0 H -4.0 H -3.0 H -2.0 H
Costa Rica -6.0 H -1.0 H +0.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H
Croatia +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Cuba -5.0 H +0.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H
Cyprus +2.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H
Czech Republic +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Denmark +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Djibouti +3.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H +11.0 H
Dominica -4.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H
Dominican Republic -4.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H

B-3
Country UTC Eastern Central Mountain Pacific
Ecuador -5.0 H +0.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H
Egypt +2.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H
El Salvador -6.0 H -1.0 H +0.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H
Equatorial Guinea +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Eritrea +3.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H +11.0 H
Estonia +2.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H
Ethiopia +3.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H +11.0 H
Falkland Islands -4.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H
Fiji Islands +12.0 H +17.0 H +18.0 H +19.0 H +20.0 H
Finland +2.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H
France +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
French Antilles -3.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H +5.0 H
French Guinea -3.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H +5.0 H
French Polynesia -10.0 H -5.0 H -4.0 H -3.0 H -2.0 H
Gabon Republic +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Gambia +0.0 H +5.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H
Georgia +4.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H +11.0 H +12.0 H
Germany +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Ghana +0.0 H +5.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H
Gibraltar +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Greece +2.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H
Greenland -3.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H +5.0 H
Grenada -4.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H
Guadeloupe -4.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H
Guam +10.0 H +15.0 H +16.0 H +17.0 H +18.0 H
Guatemala -6.0 H -1.0 H +0.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H
Guinea-Bissau +0.0 H +5.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H
Guinea +0.0 H +5.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H
Guyana -3.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H +5.0 H
Haiti -5.0 H +0.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H
Honduras -6.0 H -1.0 H +0.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H
Hong Kong +8.0 H +13.0 H +14.0 H +15.0 H +16.0 H
Hungary +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Iceland +0.0 H +5.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H
India +5.5 H +10.5 H +11.5 H +12.5 H +13.5 H

B-4
Country UTC Eastern Central Mountain Pacific
Indonesia East +9.0 H +14.0 H +15.0 H +16.0 H +17.0 H
Indonesia Central +8.0 H +13.0 H +14.0 H +15.0 H +16.0 H
Indonesia West +7.0 H +12.0 H +13.0 H +14.0 H +15.0 H
Iran +3.5 H +8.5 H +9.5 H +10.5 H +11.5 H
Iraq +3.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H +11.0 H
Ireland +0.0 H +5.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H
Israel +2.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H
Italy +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Jamaica -5.0 H +0.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H
Japan +9.0 H +14.0 H +15.0 H +16.0 H +17.0 H
Kazakhstan +6.0 H +11.0 H +12.0 H +13.0 H +14.0 H
Kenya +3.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H +11.0 H
Kiribati +12.0 H +17.0 H +18.0 H +19.0 H +20.0 H
Korea, North +9.0 H +14.0 H +15.0 H +16.0 H +17.0 H
Korea, South +9.0 H +14.0 H +15.0 H +16.0 H +17.0 H
Kuwait +3.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H +11.0 H
Kyrgyzstan +5.0 H +10.0 H +11.0 H +12.0 H +13.0 H
Laos +7.0 H +12.0 H +13.0 H +14.0 H +15.0 H
Latvia +2.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H
Lebanon +2.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H
Lesotho +2.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H
Liberia +0.0 H +5.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H
Libya +2.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H
Liechtenstein +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Lithuania +2.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H
Luxembourg +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Macedonia +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Madagascar +3.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H +11.0 H
Malawi +2.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H
Malaysia +8.0 H +13.0 H +14.0 H +15.0 H +16.0 H
Maldives +5.0 H +10.0 H +11.0 H +12.0 H +13.0 H
Mali Republic +0.0 H +5.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H
Malta +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Marshall Islands +12.0 H +17.0 H +18.0 H +19.0 H +20.0 H
Mauritania +0.0 H +5.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H

B-5
Country UTC Eastern Central Mountain Pacific
Mauritius +4.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H +11.0 H +12.0 H
Mayotte +3.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H +11.0 H
Mexico East -5.0 H +0.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H
Mexico Central -6.0 H -1.0 H +0.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H
Mexico West -7.0 H -2.0 H -1.0 H +0.0 H +1.0 H
Moldova +2.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H
Monaco +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Mongolia +8.0 H +13.0 H +14.0 H +15.0 H +16.0 H
Morocco +0.0 H +5.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H
Mozambique +2.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H
Myanmar (Burma) +6.5 H +11.5 H +12.5 H +13.5 H +14.5 H
Namibia +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Nauru +12.0 H +17.0 H +18.0 H +19.0 H +20.0 H
Nepal +5.5 H +10.5 H +11.5 H +12.5 H +13.5 H
Netherlands +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Netherlands Antilles -4.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H
New Caledonia +11.0 H +16.0 H +17.0 H +18.0 H +19.0 H
New Zealand +12.0 H +17.0 H +18.0 H +19.0 H +20.0 H
Newfoundland -3.5 H +1.5 H +2.5 H +3.5 H +4.5 H
Nicaragua -6.0 H -1.0 H +0.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H
Nigeria +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Niger Republic +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Norfolk Island +11.5 H +16.5 H +17.5 H +18.5 H +19.5 H
Norway +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Oman +4.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H +11.0 H +12.0 H
Pakistan +5.0 H +10.0 H +11.0 H +12.0 H +13.0 H
Palau +9.0 H +14.0 H +15.0 H +16.0 H +17.0 H
Panama, Rep. of -5.0 H +0.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H
Papua New Guinea +10.0 H +15.0 H +16.0 H +17.0 H +18.0 H
Paraguay -4.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H
Peru -5.0 H +0.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H
Philippines +8.0 H +13.0 H +14.0 H +15.0 H +16.0 H
Poland +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Portugal +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Puerto Rico -4.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H

B-6
Country UTC Eastern Central Mountain Pacific
Qatar +3.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H +11.0 H
Reunion Island +4.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H +11.0 H +12.0 H
Romania +2.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H
Russia West +2.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H
Russia Central 1 +4.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H +11.0 H +12.0 H
Russia Central 2 +7.0 H +12.0 H +13.0 H +14.0 H +15.0 H
Russia East +11.0 H +16.0 H +17.0 H +18.0 H +19.0 H
Rwanda +2.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H
Saba -4.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H
Samoa -11.0 H -6.0 H -5.0 H -4.0 H -3.0 H
San Marino +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Sao Tome +0.0 H +5.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H
Saudi Arabia +3.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H +11.0 H
Senegal +0.0 H +5.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H
Seychelles Islands +4.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H +11.0 H +12.0 H
Sierra Leone +0.0 H +5.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H
Singapore +8.0 H +13.0 H +14.0 H +15.0 H +16.0 H
Slovakia +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Slovenia +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Solomon Islands +11.0 H +16.0 H +17.0 H +18.0 H +19.0 H
Somalia +3.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H +11.0 H
South Africa +2.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H
Spain +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Sri Lanka +5.5 H +10.5 H +11.5 H +12.5 H +13.5 H
St. Lucia -4.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H
St. Maarteen -4.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H
St. Pierre & Miquelon -3.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H +5.0 H
St. Thomas -4.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H
St. Vincent -4.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H
Sudan +2.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H
Suriname -3.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H +5.0 H
Swaziland +2.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H
Sweden +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Switzerland +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Syria +2.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H

B-7
Country UTC Eastern Central Mountain Pacific
Taiwan +8.0 H +13.0 H +14.0 H +15.0 H +16.0 H
Tajikistan +6.0 H +11.0 H +12.0 H +13.0 H +14.0 H
Tanzania +3.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H +11.0 H
Thailand +7.0 H +12.0 H +13.0 H +14.0 H +15.0 H
Togo +0.0 H +5.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H
Tonga Islands +13.0 H +18.0 H +19.0 H +20.0 H +21.0 H
Trinidad and Tobago -4.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H
Tunisia +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Turkey +2.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H
Turkmenistan +5.0 H +10.0 H +11.0 H +12.0 H +13.0 H
Turks and Caicos -5.0 H +0.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H
Tuvalu +12.0 H +17.0 H +18.0 H +19.0 H +20.0 H
Uganda +3.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H +11.0 H
Ukraine +2.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H
United Arab Emirates +4.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H +11.0 H +12.0 H
United Kingdom +0.0 H +5.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H
Uruguay -3.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H +5.0 H
USA Eastern -5.0 H +0.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H
USA Central -6.0 H -1.0 H +0.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H
USA Mountain -7.0 H -2.0 H -1.0 H +0.0 H +1.0 H
USA Western -8.0 H -3.0 H -2.0 H -1.0 H +0.0 H
USA Alaska -9.0 H -4.0 H -3.0 H -2.0 H -1.0 H
USA Hawaii -10.0 H -5.0 H -4.0 H -3.0 H -2.0 H
Uzbekistan +5.0 H +10.0 H +11.0 H +12.0 H +13.0 H
Vanuatu +11.0 H +16.0 H +17.0 H +18.0 H +19.0 H
Vatican City +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Venezuela -4.0 H +1.0 H +2.0 H +3.0 H +4.0 H
Vietnam +7.0 H +12.0 H +13.0 H +14.0 H +15.0 H
Wallis & Futuna Is. +12.0 H +17.0 H +18.0 H +19.0 H +20.0 H
Yemen +3.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H +11.0 H
Yugoslavia +1.0 H +6.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H
Zaire +2.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H
Zambia +2.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H
Zimbabwe +2.0 H +7.0 H +8.0 H +9.0 H +10.0 H

B-8
APPENDIX C:
Conversion Charts
When You Know
Units of Length Multiply by To find
Millimeters 0.04 Inches
Centimeters 0.39 Inches
Meters 3.28 Feet
Meters 1.09 Yards
Kilometers 0.62 Miles
Inches 25.40 Millimeters
Inches 2.54 Centimeters
Feet 30.48 Centimeters
Yards 0.91 Meters
Miles 1.61 Kilometers
Units of Area
Sq. Centimeters 0.16 Sq. Inches
Sq. Meters 1.20 Sq. Yards
Sq. Kilometers 0.39 Sq. Miles
Hectares 2.47 Acres
Sq. Inches 6.45 Sq. Cm
Sq. Feet 0.09 Sq. Meters
Sq. Yards 0.84 Sq. Meters
Sq. Miles 2.60 Sq. Km
Acres 0.40 Hectares
Units of Mass and Weight
Grams 0.035 Ounces
Kilograms 2.21 Pounds
Tons (100kg) 1.10 Short Tons
Ounces 28.35 Grams
Pounds 0.45 Kilograms
Short Tons 2.12 Tons
C-1
Units of Volume Multiply by To find
Milliliters 0.20 Teaspoons
Milliliters 0.06 Tablespoons
Milliliters 0.03 Fluid Ounces
Liters 4.23 Cups
Liters 2.12 Pints
Liters 1.06 Quarts
Liters 0.26 Gallons
Cubic Meters 35.32 Cubic Feet
Cubic Meters 1.35 Cubic Yards
Teaspoons 4.93 Milliliters
Tablespoons 14.78 Milliliters
Fluid Ounces 29.57 Milliliters
Cups 0.24 Liters
Pints 0.47 Liters
Quarts 0.95 Liters
Gallons 3.79 Liters
Cubic Feet 0.03 Cubic Meters
Cubic Yards 0.76 Cubic Meters
Units of Speed
Miles per Hour 1.61 Kilometers per Hour
Km per Hour 0.62 Miles per Hour

C-2
Temperature
To convert Celsius into degrees Fahrenheit, multiply Celsius by 1.8
and add 32. To convert degrees Fahrenheit to Celsius, subtract 32 and
divide by 1.8.

Celsius Fahrenheit
oC oF

100 212 ➞ Boiling Point ofWater

HeatWave ➞ 105
40
98.6 ➞ NormalBodyTemperature
36.9
35
90

AHotSummerDay ➞ 30
80
25
70 ➞ AMild Spring Day
20
60
15

AWarmWinter Day ➞ 10
50

5 40

0 32
30
➞ Freezing Point ofWater
—5
20
— 10
10
— 15
0
— 20

Temperature Chart

C-3
APPENDIX D:
Holidays
National Holidays
23 July Accession of the Sultan
18 November National Day
19 November Sultan’s Birthday

Religious Holidays
The following Islamic holidays are based on the lunar calendar; dates vary:
Eid al Fit (End of Ramadan)
Eid al Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
Hijri (Islamic New Year)
Ashoura, Mouloud (Prophet’s Birthday)

D-1
APPENDIX E:
Language
Arabic
Alphabet
The Arabic alphabet is written from right to left, but numerals are
written from left to right. There are 28 characters, all of which
are consonants, and 10 numerals. Short vowels are generally un-
written, although three markers are used to ensure proper pronun-
ciation. There is no capitalization in Arabic, but each letter has
a different form depending on where it falls in the word—at the
beginning, middle, end, or standing alone.
Arabic is a Semitic language; its structure and grammar are dif-
ferent from English. Words are formed from three letter roots
(root verbs) by changing the vowels (vowel sounds or diacritics)
between the consonants, which always begin and end the word.
For example, the word for book is Ketab and the word for library
is Maktabah. The root is K-T-B.

Key Phrases
English Arabic
Yes. aywaa
No. laa
Please. min fadlak
Welcome! aahlaan wa saahlaan
Thank you. shukran
Hello. marhaba
How are you? kayf halak
E-1
English Arabic
I am fine, thank you. kwayyis, shukran
Good morning. sobah al kheir
Good morning (reply). sobah an noor
Good evening. masaa’ al kheir
Good evening (reply). masaa’ an noor
Good night. laylaa saidaa
Goodbye. maa’a ssaalamaa
Praise be to God! al hamdulillah
Excuse me. afwan
Where? wayn
When? imta
What? shoo or aysh
How? kayf
How much/many? gedeesh
Who? men
Why? laysh
Which? ay
What is this? shoo haada
This is mine. hada lee
This is not mine. hada mish lee
What does this mean? shoo maa’na hada
Do you speak English? ibtahki inta Englizi
I am an American. ana amreeki
I understand. mafhoom
I don’t understand. ana mish faahim
Can you help me? momkin tisa’idini
I’m hungry. ana joo’wan
I’m thirsty. ana aatshan

E-2
English Arabic
I’m tired. ana ta’abaan
I’m lost. ana toht
Hurry! bisor’aa or yalla
No smoking! maamnoo’ at tadkheen

Vocabulary
English Arabic
I ana
You inta
We ihna
Them hum
American Embassy sifaara amreekiya
Arm (body) zaraa’
Bandage aasaabe
Beach shawti
Blanket baataniye
Book ketab
Boots boot
Bridge jisr
Building mabna
Coat mi’taf
Entrance dokhool
Exit khorooj
First Aid Kit ilbah is’aafaat awalliiyaa
Flashlight batariiyaa
Gloves jowanti
Gulf khaleej
Harbor mina’
E-3
English Arabic
Hat kobaa’aa
Head ra’as
Highway tareeg
Hospital mostaashfah
Insect Repellent tarid lilhaashaarat
Knife sakeenah
Leg rijil
Map khareeta
Market sooq
Matches kabreet
Medicine dawaa’
Mosque masjid
Passport jewazz as-safar
Police shurta
Radio radyo
River nahr
Soap saboon
Sea bahr
Seacoast sahil al bahr
Shoes hiza’
Taxi taaksi
Toilet twaalet
Tower borj
Watch sa’aah
Big kabeer
Small sagheer
Fast saree’
Slow bati’

E-4
English Arabic
Early mobakir
Late mit’aker
Near kareeb
Far ba’eed
Hot sakhen
Cold bareed
Heavy thageel
Light khafeef
Open maftuuh
Shut ma’fuul
Right (correct) sahh
Wrong ghalat
Old kadeem
New jadeed

Military Vocabulary
English Arabic
Aircraft ta’ereh
Aircraft Carrier hamleh atta’erat
Air Defense defa’ jawi
Airfield mutaar
Ammunition zakheereh
Amphibious bear-ma’i
Antiair artillery maadfa’iyeh modawd atta’erat
Antilanding Defense defa’ ded al-aabrar
Antitank artillery maadfa’iyeh modawd al-dababaat
Army jaysh
Artillery maadfa’iyeh
E-5
English Arabic
Aviation teyiran
Battalion kateebeh
Battleship baraajeh
Bomb gunbuleh
Camouflage tamwiyeh
Cruiser (ship) torad
Chemical Weapon salaah kimawi
Coastal Defense defa’ saaheli
Corps faylag
Destroyer (ship) modemmoreh
Division firqeh
Engineer mohandess
Garrison hamieh
Gun medfa’
Handgrenade qunbuleh yedawiyeh
Headquarters qiyadeh
Helicopter helicoopter
Howitzer howetzer
Infantry mushaa’t
Latitude khatt al-arad
Longitude khatt at-tool
Machinegun reshashah
Map khareetah
Military aaskaaria
Mine lagham
Minefield haql alghaam
Mortar howwen
Nuclear weapon salaah noowawi

E-6
English Arabic
Platoon faseeleh
Radar radar
Reconnaissance ‘estitlaa’
Rifle bunduqiyeh
Submachinegun reshashah qaseerah
Tank dababeh
Tactics taktik
Torpedo toorbid
Topography toboografia
Weapon salaah
Weather at-taqs

E-7
APPENDIX F:
International Road Signs

40
Crossroads Maximum speed no through road road narrows

stOP

Fallen/falling rock no entry for Motorway stop and give way

vehicular traffic

O N E WAY Tourist
information

low flying aircraft or One way street tourist

sudden aircraft noise no left turn information point

Cable height
traffic signals no u-turn 16’ - 6”

Overhead cables, Failure of

Maximum height traffic light signals

sharp deviation

F-1
APPENDIX G:
Deployed Personnel’s Guide to Health
Maintenance
DoD-prescribed immunizations and medications, including
birth control pills, should be brought in sufficient quantity for
deployment’s duration.
Only food, water, and ice from approved U.S. military sources
should be consumed. Consuming food or water from unapproved
sources may cause illness. Food should be thoroughly cooked and
served hot.
Thorough hand-washing before eating and after using the latrine
is highly recommended, as is regular bathing. Feet should be
kept dry and treated with antifungal powder. Socks and under-
wear should be changed daily; underwear should fit loosely and be
made of cotton fiber.
Excessive heat and sunlight exposure should be minimized.
Maintaining hydration is important, as are following work-rest
cycles and wearing uniforms properly. Sunglasses, sunscreen
(SPF 15 or higher), and lip balm are recommended. Drinking al-
cohol should be avoided. Personnel with previous heat injuries
should be closely monitored.
Uniforms should be worn properly (blouse boots). DEET should
be applied to exposed skin and uniforms treated with permethrin;
per­methrin is not intended for use on skin. Proper treatment and
wear of uniform, plus application of DEET to exposed skin, de-
creases the risk of diseases transmitted by biting insects.
Overcrowded living areas should be avoided. Ventilated living
areas and avoiding coughing or sneezing toward others can re-
G-1
duce colds and other respiratory infections. Cots or sleeping bags
should be arranged “head to toe” to avoid the face-to-face contact
that spreads germs.
Contact with animals is not recommended. Animals should not be
kept as mascots. Cats, dogs, and other animals can transmit dis-
ease. Food should not be kept in living areas as it attracts rodents
and insects, and trash should be disposed of properly.
Hazardous snakes, plants, spiders, and other insects and arthropods
such as scorpions, centipedes, ants, bees, wasps, and flies should be
avoided. Those bitten or stung should contact U.S. medical personnel.
All sexual contact should be avoided. Properly used condoms offer some
protection from sexually transmitted diseases but not full protection.
Stress and fatigue can be minimized by maintaining physical
fitness, staying informed, and sleeping when the mission and
safety permits. Alcohol should be avoided as it causes dehydra-
tion, contributes to jet lag, can lead to depression, and decreases
physical and mental readi­ness. Separation anxiety, continuous
operations, changing conditions, and the observation of human
suffering will intensify stress. Assistance from medical person-
nel or chaplains is available.

Additional Information
Water
If unapproved water, as found in many lakes, rivers, streams, and
city water supplies, must be used in an emergency, the water may
be disin­fected by:
■■ Adding calcium hypochlorite at 5.0 ppm for 30 minutes,
■■ Adding Chlor-Floc or iodine tablets according to label instructions,
■■ Heating water to a rolling boil for 5 to 10 minutes, or
G-2
■■ Adding 2 to 4 drops of ordinary chlorine bleach per quart of
water and waiting 30 minutes before using it.
Either U.S. military preventive medicine or veterinary person-
nel should inspect bottled water supplies. Bottled water does not
guarantee purity; direct sunlight on bottled water supplies may
promote bacterial growth.
Water in canals, lakes, rivers, and streams is likely contaminated;
unnec­essary bathing, swimming, and wading should be avoided.
If the tactical situation requires entering bodies of water, all ex-
posed skin should be covered to protect from parasites. Following
exposure, it is important to dry vigorously and change clothing.

Rodents
Rodents should not be tolerated in the unit area; they can spread
serious illness. Diseases may be contracted through rodent bites or
scratches, transmitted by insects carried on rodents (e.g., fleas, ticks,
or mites), or by contamination of food from rodent nesting or feeding.
Personnel can minimize the risk of disease caused by rodents by:
■■ Maintaining a high state of sanitation throughout the unit area
■■ Sealing openings 1/4 inch or greater to prevent rodents from
entering unit areas
■■ Avoiding inhalation of dust when cleaning previously unoc-
cupied areas (mist these areas with water before sweeping;
when possible, disinfect area using 3 ounces of liquid bleach
per 1 gallon of water)
■■ Promptly removing dead rodents; personnel should use dis-
posable gloves or plastic bags over the hands when handling
any dead animal and place the dead rodent/animal into a plas-
tic bag prior to disposal
■■ Seeking immediate attention if bitten or scratched by a rodent
or if experiencing difficulty breathing or flu-like symptoms
G-3
Insects
Exposure to harmful insects, ticks, and other pests is a year-round,
worldwide risk. The following protective measures reduce the risk
of insect and tick bites:
■■ Use DoD-approved insect repellents properly
■■ Apply DEET on all exposed skin
■■ Apply permethrin on clothing and bed nets
■■ Tuck bed net under bedding; use bed net pole
■■ Avoid exposure to living or dead animals
■■ Regularly check for ticks
■■ Discourage pests by disposing of trash properly; eliminate
food stor­age in living areas
■■ Cover exposed skin by keeping sleeves rolled down when
possible, particularly during peak periods of mosquito biting
(dusk and dawn); keep undershirts tucked into pants; tuck
pant legs into boots
Uniforms correctly treated with permethrin, using either the aero-
sol spray (reapply after sixth laundering) or Individual Dynamic
Absorption (IDA) impregnation kit (good for 6 months or the life of
the uniform), will help minimize risks posed by insects. The date
of treatment should be labeled on the uniform.
Bed nets should be treated with permethrin for protection against
biting insects using either the single aerosol spray can (treating
two bed nets) or the unit’s 2-gallon sprayer. All personnel should
sleep under mosquito nets, regardless of time of day, ensure net-
ting is tucked under bedding, and use poles to prevent bed nets
from draping on the skin.

G-4
DoD-approved insect repellents are:
■■ IDA KIT: NSN 6840-01-345-0237
■■ Permethrin Aerosol Spray: NSN 6840-01-278-1336
■■ DEET Insect Repellent: NSN 6840-01-284-3982

Hot Weather
If heat is a threat in the area, personnel should:
■■ Stay hydrated by drinking water frequently
■■ Follow work-rest cycles
■■ Monitor others who may have heat-related problems
■■ Wear uniforms properly
■■ Use a sun block (SPF 15 or higher), sunglasses, and lip balm
■■ During hot weather, wear natural fiber clothing (such as cot-
ton) next to the skin for increased ventilation
■■ Seek immediate medical attention for heat injuries such as
cramps, exhaustion, or stroke. Heat injuries can also occur in
cold weather
■■ Avoid standing in direct sunlight for long periods; be prepared
for rapid drops in temperature at night, and construct wind
screens if necessary to avoid blowing dust or sand

Sunscreens:
■■ Sunscreen lotion: NSN 6505-01-121-2336
■■ Non-alcohol lotion-base sunscreen: NSN 6505-01-267-1486

G-5
Work-Rest Table
EASY WORK MODERATE WORK HARD WORK

Heat WBGT Work/ Water Work/ Water Work/ Water

Cat Index (˚F) Rest Intake Rest Intake Rest Intake
(min.) (Qt/Hr) (min.) (Qt/Hr) (min.) (Qt/Hr)
1 78 – 81.9 NL 1/2 NL 3/4 40/20 3/4
2 82 – 84.9 NL 1/2 50/10 3/4 30/30 1
3 85 – 87.9 NL 3/4 40/20 3/4 30/30 1
4 88 – 89.9 NL 3/4 30/30 3/4 20/40 1
5 > 90 50/10 1 20/40 1 10/50 1

The work-rest times and fluid replacement volumes in the spe-

cific heat cat­egory sustain perfor­mance and hydration for at least
4 hours. Individual water needs will vary ±¼ quart per hour.
NL = no limit to work time per hour. Rest means minimal physical
activity (sitting or standing) and should be accomplished in shade.
Caution: Hourly fluid intake should not exceed 1½ quarts. Daily
fluid intake should not exceed 12 quarts.
Note: MOPP gear adds 10˚ to WBGT Index.

Food
High risk food items such as fresh eggs, unpasteurized dairy
products, lettuce and other uncooked vegetables, and raw or un-
der cooked meats should be avoided unless they are from U.S.
military-approved sources. Those who must consume unapproved
foods should choose low risk foods such as bread and other baked
goods, fruits that have thick peels (washed with safe water), and
boiled foods such as rice and vegetables.

G-6
Human Waste
Military-approved latrines should be used when possible. If no la-
trines are available, personnel should bury all human waste in pits
or trenches.

Cold Weather
If cold weather injuries are a threat in the area, personnel should:
■■ Drink plenty of fluids, preferably water or other decaffeinated
bever­ages
■■ Closely monitor others who have had previous cold injuries
■■ Use well-ventilated warming tents and hot liquids for relief
from the cold. Watch for shivering and increase rations to the
equivalent of four MREs per day
■■ Not rest or sleep in tents or vehicles unless well ventilated;
tempera­tures can drop drastically at night
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G-7
■■ Dress in layers, wear polypropylene long underwear, and use
sun­glasses, scarf, unscented lip balm, sunscreen, and skin
moisturizers
■■ Insulate themselves from the ground with tree boughs or
sleeping mats and construct windscreens to avoid unneces-
sary heat loss
■■ Seek immediate medical attention for loss of sensitivity in any
part of the body

First Aid
Basic Lifesaving
Those caring for injured persons should immediately:
■■ Establish an open airway
■■ Ensure the victim is breathing
■■ Stop bleeding to support circulation
■■ Prevent further disability
■■ Place dressing over open wounds
■■ Immobilize neck injuries
■■ Splint obvious limb deformities
■■ Minimize further exposure to adverse weather

Injuries and Care

Shock
Symptoms
■■ Confusion
■■ Cold, clammy skin
■■ Sweating
■■ Shallow, labored, and rapid breathing
■■ Rapid pulse
G-8
Treatment
■■ An open airway should be maintained
■■ Unconscious victims should be placed on their side
■■ Victims should be kept calm, warm, and comfortable
■■ Lower extremities should be elevated
■■ Medical attention should be sought as soon as possible
Abdominal Wound
Treatment
■■ Exposed organs should be covered with moist, clean dressing
■■ Wound should be secured with bandages
■■ Displaced organs should never be reintroduced to the body
Bleeding
Treatment
■■ Direct pressure with hand should be applied; a dressing should
be used if available
■■ Injured extremity should be elevated if no fractures are suspected
■■ Pressure points may be used to control bleeding
■■ Dressings should not be removed; additional dressings may be
applied over old dressings
Tourniquet
NOTE: Tourniquets should only be used when an injury is life
threatening.
■■ A 1-inch band should be tied between the injury and the heart,
2 to 4 inches from the injury, to stop severe bleeding; wire or
shoe strings should not be used
■■ Band should be tight enough to stop bleeding and no tighter
■■ Once the tourniquet is tied, it should not be loosened
■■ The tourniquet should be left exposed for quick visual reference
G-9
■■ The time that the tourniquet is tied and the letter “T” should
be written on the casualty’s forehead

Eye Injury
Treatment
■■ Embedded objects should not be removed; dressings should
secure objects to prohibit movement
■■ Bandages should be applied lightly to both eyes.
■■ Patients should be continuously attended.

Chest Wound
Symptoms
■■ Sucking noise from chest
■■ Frothy red blood from wound
Treatment
■■ Entry and exit wounds should be identified; wounds should be
cov­ered (aluminum foil, ID card)
■■ Three sides of the material covering the wound should be
taped, leav­ing the bottom untaped
■■ Victim should be positioned to facilitate easiest breathing.

Fractures
Symptoms
■■ Deformity, bruising
■■ Tenderness
■■ Swelling and discoloration
Treatment
■■ Fractured limb should not be straightened
■■ Injury should be splinted with minimal movement of injured person
G-10
■■ Joints above and below the injury should be splinted.
■■ If not in a chemical environment, remove clothing from in-
jured area
■■ Rings should be removed from fingers
■■ Check pulse below injury to determine blood flow restrictions
Spinal, Neck, Head Injury
Symptoms
■■ Lack of feeling or control below neck
Treatment
■■ Conscious victims should be cautioned to remain still
■■ Airway should be checked without moving injured person’s
head
■■ Victims who must be moved should be placed, without bend-
ing or rotating victim’s head and neck, on a hard surface that
would act as a litter (door, cut lumber)
■■ Head and neck should be immobilized
Heat Injury
Heat Cramps
Symptoms
■■ Spasms, usually in muscles or arms
■■ Results from strenuous work or exercise
■■ Loss of salt in the body
■■ Normal body temperature
Heat Exhaustion
Symptoms
■■ Cramps in abdomen or limbs
■■ Pale skin
G-11
■■ Dizziness, faintness, weakness
■■ Nausea or vomiting
■■ Profuse sweating or moist, cool skin
■■ Weak pulse
■■ Normal body temperature

Heat Stroke
Symptoms
■■ Headache, dizziness
■■ Red face/skin
■■ Hot, dry skin (no sweating)
■■ Strong, rapid pulse
■■ High body temperature (hot to touch)

Treatment
■■ Victim should be treated for shock
■■ Victim should be laid in a cool area with clothing loosened.
■■ Victim can be cooled by sprinkling with cool water or fanning
(though not to the point of shivering)
■■ If conscious, victim may drink cool water (2 teaspoons of salt
to one canteen may be added)
■■ Seek medical attention immediately; heat stroke can kill

Burns
Burns may be caused by heat (thermal), electricity, chemicals, or
radia­tion. Treatment is based on depth, size, and severity (degree
of burn). All burn victims should be treated for shock and seen by
medical personnel.

G-12
Thermal/First Degree
Symptoms
■■ Skin reddens
■■ Painful
Treatment
■■ Source of burn should be removed
■■ Cool water should be applied to the affected area

Thermal/Second Degree
Symptoms
■■ Skin reddens and blisters
■■ Very painful
Treatment
■■ Source of burn should be removed
■■ Cool water should be applied to the affected area
■■ Blisters should not be broken
■■ A dry dressing should cover the affected area

Thermal/Third Degree
Symptoms
■■ Charred or whitish looking skin
■■ May burn to the bone
■■ Burned area not painful; surrounding area very painful
Treatment
■■ Source of burn should be removed
■■ Clothing that adheres to burned area should not be removed
■■ A dry dressing should cover the affected area

G-13
Electrical Burns
Treatment
■■ Power source must be off
■■ Entry and exit wounds should be identified
■■ Burned area should be treated in accordance with its severity
Chemical Burns
Treatment
■■ Skin should be flushed with a large amount of water; eyes
should be flushed for at least 20 minutes.
■■ Visible contaminants should be removed.
■■ Phosphorus burns should be covered with a wet dressing (pre-
vents air from activating the phosphorous)
Cold Injuries
Hypothermia
Symptoms
■■ Body is cold under clothing
■■ Victim may appear confused or dead
Treatment
■■ Victim should be moved to a warm place
■■ Wet clothing should be removed; victim should be dressed in
warm clothing or wrapped in a dry blanket
■■ Body parts should not be rubbed
■■ Victims must not consume alcoholic beverages
Frostbite
Symptoms
■■ Skin appears white or waxy
■■ Skin is hard to the touch
G-14
Treatment
■■ Victim should be moved to a warm place
■■ Affected area should be warmed in 104 to 108° F (40° C) wa-
ter for 15 to 30 minutes (NOT hot water)
■■ Affected area should be covered with several layers of clothing
■■ Affected area must not be rubbed
■■ Victim must seek medical attention

Emergency Life-Saving Equipment

Equipment may be improvised when necessary. Following is a list
of possible uses for commonly found items:
■■ Shirts = Dressings/Bandages
■■ Belts, Ties = Tourniquets, Bandages
■■ Towels, Sheets = Dressings/Bandages
■■ Socks, Panty Hose, Flight cap = Dressings/Bandages
■■ Sticks or Tree Limbs = Splints
■■ Blankets = Litters, Splints
■■ Field Jackets = Litters
■■ BDU Shirts = Litters/Splints
■■ Ponchos = Litters/Bandages
■■ Rifle Sling = Bandages
■■ M-16 Heat Guards = Splints

G-15
APPENDIX H:
Individual Protective Measures
Security Threats
Individual protective measures are the conscious actions that people
take to guard themselves against physical harm. These measures can
involve simple acts such as locking the car and avoiding high-crime
areas. When physical protection measures are combined they form
a personal security program, the object of which is to make yourself
a harder target. The following checklists contain basic individ­ual
protective measures that, if understood and followed, may signifi­
cantly reduce one’s vulnerability to the security threats overseas
(foreign intelligence, security services, and terrorist organizations).
If detained or taken hostage, following the measures listed in these
check­lists may influence or improve one’s treatment.

Foreign Intelligence and Security Services

■■ Avoid illegal, improper, or indiscreet actions or activities.
■■ Guard conversation and keep sensitive papers in custody.
■■ Take for granted that you are under surveillance by both tech-
nical and physical means, including:
■■ Communications monitoring (telephone, e-mail, cell
phones, mail, etc.)
■■ Eavesdropping in hotels, offices, and apartments
■■ Do not discuss sensitive matters:
■■ On the telephone
■■ In your room
■■ In a car, particularly in front of an assigned driver

H-1
■■ Do not leave sensitive personal or business papers:
■■ In your room
■■ In the hotel safe
■■ In a locked suitcase or briefcase
■■ In unattended cars, offices, trains, or planes
■■ Open to photography from the ceiling
■■ In wastebaskets as drafts or doodles
■■ Do not try to defeat surveillance by trying to slip away from fol-
lowers or by trying to locate “bugs” in your room. These actions
will only generate more interest in you. If you feel you are under
surveillance, act as naturally as possible, go to a safe location
(your office, hotel, U.S. Embassy), and contact your superior.
■■ Avoid offers of sexual companionship. They may lead to a
room raid, photography, and blackmail. Prostitutes in many
countries report to the police, work for a criminal organiza-
tion, or are sympathetic to insurgent or terrorist organizations;
in other words, are anti-U.S. Oth­ers may be employed by an
intelligence service.
■■ Be suspicious of casual acquaintances and quick friendships
with local citizens in intelligence/terrorist threat countries. In
many coun­tries, people tend to stay away from foreigners and
do not readily or easily make contact. Many who actively seek
out friendships with U.S. personnel may do so as a result of
government orders or for personal gain.
In your personal contacts, follow these guidelines:
■■ Do not attempt to keep up with your hosts in social drinking.
■■ Do not engage in black market activity for money or goods.
■■ Do not sell your possessions.
■■ Do not bring in or purchase illegal drugs.
H-2
■■ Do not bring in pornography.
■■ Do not bring religious literature for distribution. (You may bring
one Bible, or Qu’ran, or other such material for personal use.)
■■ Do not seek out religious or political dissidents.
■■ Do not take ashtrays, towels, menus, glasses, or other memen-
tos from hotels or restaurants.
■■ Do not accept packages, letters, etc., from local citizens for
delivery to the U.S.
■■ Do not make political comments or engage in political activity.
■■ Do not be lured into clandestine meetings with would-be in-
formants or defectors.
■■ Be careful about taking pictures. In some countries it is un-
wise to take photographs of scenes that could be used to make
unfavorable com­parisons between U.S. and local standards of
living or other cultural differences. Avoid taking any photo-
graphs from moving buses, trains, or aircraft.

The following picture subjects are clearly prohibited in most coun-

tries where an intelligence, terrorist, or insurgent threat is evident:
■■ Police or military installations and personnel
■■ Bridges
■■ Fortifications
■■ Railroad facilities
■■ Tunnels
■■ Elevated trains
■■ Border areas
■■ Industrial complexes
■■ Port complexes
■■ Airports
H-3
Detention
Most intelligence and security services in threat countries detain
persons for a wide range of real or imagined wrongs. The best ad-
vice, of course, is to do nothing that would give a foreign service the
least reason to pick you up. If you are arrested or detained by host
nation intelligence or security, however, remember the following:
■■ Always ask to contact the U.S. Embassy. You are entitled to do
so under international diplomatic and consular agreements, to
which most countries are signatories.
■■ Phrase your request appropriately. In Third World countries,
however, making demands could lead to physical abuse.
■■ Do not admit to wrongdoing or sign anything. Part of the de-
tention ritual in some threat countries is a written report you
will be asked or told to sign. Decline to do so, and continue
demanding to contact the Embassy or consulate.
■■ Do not agree to help your detainer. The foreign intelligence or
secu­rity service may offer you the opportunity to help them in
return for releasing you, foregoing prosecution, or not inform-
ing your employer or spouse of your indiscretion. If they will
not take a simple no, delay a firm commitment by saying that
you have to think it over.
■■ Report to your supervisor immediately. Once your supervisor
is informed, the Embassy or consulate security officer needs
to be informed. Depending on the circumstances and your
status, the Embassy or consulate may have to provide you as-
sistance in depart­ing the country expeditiously.
■■ Report to your unit’s security officer and your service’s crimi-
nal investigative branch upon returning to the U.S. This is par-
ticularly important if you were unable to report to the Embassy
or consulate in country. Remember, you will not be able to
H-4
 outwit a foreign intelli­gence organization. Do not compound
your error by betraying your country.

Foreign Terrorist Threat

Terrorism may seem like mindless violence committed without
logic or purpose, but it is not. Terrorists attack soft and undefended
targets, both people and facilities, to gain political objectives they
see as out of reach by less violent means. Many of today’s ter-
rorists view no one as inno­cent. Thus, injury and loss of life are
justified as acceptable means to gain the notoriety generated by a
violent act in order to support their cause.
Because of their distinctive dress, speech patterns, and outgoing
person­alities, U.S. personnel are often highly visible and easily
recognized when they are abroad. The obvious association of U.S.
military personnel with their government enhances their potential
media and political worth as casualties or hostages. Other U.S.
citizens are also at risk, including political figures, police, intelli-
gence personnel, and VIPs (such as busi­nessmen and celebrities).
Therefore, you must develop a comprehensive personal security
pro­gram to safeguard yourself while traveling abroad. An aware-
ness of the threat and the practice of security procedures like those
advocated in crime prevention programs are adequate precautions
for the majority of people. While total protection is impossible,
basic common sense pre­cautions such as an awareness of any local
threat, elimination of predict­able travel and lifestyle routines, and
security consciousness at your quarters or work locations signifi-
cantly reduce the probability of suc­cess of terrorist attacks.
To realistically evaluate your individual security program, you
must understand how terrorists select and identify their victims.
Terrorists generally classify targets in terms of accessibility, vul-
H-5
nerability, and political worth (symbolic nature). These percep-
tions may not be based on the person’s actual position, but rather
the image of wealth or impor­tance they represent to the public. For
each potential target, a risk versus gain assessment is conducted
to determine if a terrorist can victimize a target without ramifica-
tions to the terrorist organization. It is during this phase that the
terrorist determines if a target is “hard or soft.” A hard tar­get is
someone who is aware of the threat of terrorism and adjusts his
personal habits accordingly. Soft targets are oblivious to the threat
and their surroundings, making an easy target.
Identification by name is another targeting method gathered from
air­craft manifests, unit/duty rosters, public documents (Who’s
Who or the Social Register), personnel files, discarded mail, or
personal papers in trash. Many targets are selected based upon
their easily identifiable symbols or trademarks, such as uniforms,
luggage (seabags or duffle bags), blatant national symbols (cur-
rency, tattoos, and clothing), and decals and bumper stickers.

Travel Security
Travel on temporary duty (TAD/TDY) abroad may require you
to stay in commercial hotels. Being away from your home duty
station requires increasing your security planning and awareness;
this is particularly important when choosing and checking into a
hotel and during your res­idence there.
The recent experiences with airport bombings and airplane hijack-
ings suggest some simple precautions:
■■ You should not travel in uniform outside the continental U.S.
on commercial aircraft.
■■ Before traveling by commercial aircraft, you should
screen your wal­let and other personal items, remov-
ing any documents that could reveal military affili-
H-6
 ation (e.g., credit cards and club membership cards).
Note that USMC policy requires service members to wear two
I.D. tags with metal necklaces while on official business. In
addition, service members must carry a current I.D. card at all
times. These requirements are valid even while traveling to or
through terrorist areas. In view of these requirements, service
members must be prepared to remove and conceal these and
any other items that could identify them as mili­tary personnel
in the event of a hijacking.
■■ You should stay alert to any suspicious activity when travel-
ing. Keep in mind that the less time spent in waiting areas
and lobbies, the bet­ter. This means adjusting your schedule to
reduce your wait at these locations.
■■ You should not discuss your military affiliation with anyone
during your travels because this increases your chances of be-
ing singled out as a symbolic victim.
■■ In case of an incident, you should not confront a terrorist or
present a threatening image. The lower your profile, the less
likely you are of becoming a victim or bargaining chip for the
terrorists, and the better your chances of survival.

Hostage Situation
The probability of anyone becoming a hostage is very remote.
However, as a member of the Armed Forces, you should always
consider yourself a potential hostage or terrorist victim and re-
flect this in planning your affairs, both personal and professional.
You should have an up-to-date will, provide next of kin with an
appropriate power-of-attorney, and take measures to ensure your
dependents’ financial security if necessary. Experience has shown
that concern for the welfare of family members is a source of great
stress to kidnap victims.
H-7
Do not be depressed if negotiation efforts appear to be taking a
long time. Remember, chance of survival actually increases with
time. The physical and psychological stress while a hostage could
seem overpow­ering, but the key to your well-being is to approach
captivity as a mis­sion. Maintaining emotional control and alert-
ness, and introducing order into each day of captivity can ensure
your success and survival with honor.

During interaction with captors, maintaining self respect and

dignity can be keys to retaining status as a human being in the
captor’s eyes. Com­plying with instructions, avoiding provocative
conversations (political, religious, etc.), and establishing a positive
relationship will increase sur­vivability. Being polite and freely dis-
cussing insignificant and nonessen­tial matters can reinforce this
relationship. Under no circumstance should classified information
be divulged. If forced to present terrorist demands to the media,
make it clear that the demands are those of the captor and that the
plea is not made on your behalf. You must remember that you are
an American service member; conduct yourself with dignity and
honor while maintaining your bearing.

Hostages sometimes are killed during rescue attempts; therefore,

take measures to protect yourself during such an action. Drop to
the floor immediately, remain still and avoid sudden movement;
select a safe corner if it offers more security than the floor. Do not
attempt to assist the rescuing forces but wait for instructions. After
the rescue, do not make any comment to the media until you have
been debriefed by appropriate U.S. authorities.

H-8
APPENDIX I:
Dangerous Plants and Animals
Snakes
Puff Adder
Description:
Adult length usually 0.6 to
1 meter (2-3 feet), maxi-
mum of 1.5 meters (5
feet); thick, heavily built
snake. Background color
varies from bright to light
yellow, yellow-brown, or-
ange-brown, light brown,
or gray. Belly yellowish
white to gray with black blotches. Rough-scaled appearance and
alternating pattern of dark and light chevron-shaped markings.
Habitat:
Most widely distributed venomous snake in Africa; encountered
almost anywhere, at both low and high elevations, except in rain
forests and extreme desert conditions.
Activity and behavioral patterns:
Both diurnal and nocturnal; known to bask in early mornings or
late afternoons. Comparatively slow-moving and sluggish; relies
on immobility and camouflage to escape detection. Bad tempered
and excitable; when disturbed, makes long deep hissing noise and
may lash out viciously.
Venom’s effects:
Many serious bites reported; only a small portion prove fa-
tal. Venom is potent cytotoxin, attacking tissue and blood cells.

I-1
Symptoms include extreme pain with swelling and large blisters
in region of the bite.

Gasperetti’s Horned Desert Viper

No Photograph Available
Description:
Adult length usually 0.3 to 0.6 meter, maximum of 0.85 meter.
Background generally yellowish, yellowish brown, pale gray,
pinkish, or pale brown with rows of dark spots along the back.
Belly whitish. Tip of tail may be black. May have a long spine-like
horn above each eye.
Habitat:
Found in deserts with rock outcroppings and fine sand. Often in
very arid places, however, may be found near oases.
Activity and behavioral patterns:
Nocturnal. Can make itself almost invisible by wriggling down
into loose sand. Hides in rodent holes and under stones. When
angered, rubs inflated loops of body together to make rasping hiss.
Can strike quickly if disturbed.
Venom’s effects:
Venom primarily hemotoxic. Local symptoms include pain, edema,
redness, possible hematoma at site of bite.No fatalities reported.

Burton’s Carpet Viper

Description:
Adult length usually 0.5
to 0.7 meter; moderately
slender. Background color
generally yellowish gray,
light brownish gray, or pale
blue gray, with gray to tan
or bright reddish or pink-
I-2
ish, dark-edged blotches on the back. Belly white, grayish white,
yellowish white, or pale pinkish brown, stripped with dark gray.
Habitat:
Can exist in extreme desert conditions but prefers firm, rocky ground
and avoids loose sand. Found at elevations up to 1,500 meters.
Activity and behavioral patterns:
Primarily nocturnal in hot weather; may be active at dusk.
Sometimes diurnal in cool weather. Often most active after rains
or on humid nights. May bask during early morning in bushes
more than 2 meters above ground. Basks in open during cooler
weather, but more frequently found under rocks or among dead
plant stalks. When confronted, quickly assumes figure-eight coil,
rubbing inflated loops of body together to make distinctive noise
similar to sawing wood. Will strike without provocation.
Venom’s effects:
Venom highly toxic to man; reports of biting incidents common.
Venom primarily hemotoxic; causes internal and external hemor-
rhaging. Bite causes pain and swelling at site.

Egyptian Carpet Viper

Description:
Adult length usually 0.3
to 0.6 meter (1-1.5 feet);
relatively stout snake.
Background color variable,
usually yellowish, brown,
gray, or reddish; may have a
series of oblique pale cross-
bars, interspersed with dark spaces along back. Usually has rows of
triangular or circular markings with pale or white edging along each
side. Some specimens with faded or barely visible markings. Belly
pale, usually with brown or reddish spots. Head pear-shaped.
I-3
Habitat:
Found in oases, semi-desert, dry savanna, and rocky areas. Not
found in extensive areas of soft sand or in true desert.
Activity and behavioral patterns:
Terrestrial, although occasionally climbs into low bushes to avoid
hot or wet surfaces. Moves quickly. Primarily nocturnal. Hides in
holes, under logs, rocks, and brush piles during day; may partially
bury itself in sand or coil in or around grass tufts. When confront-
ed, quickly assumes figure-eight coil, rubbing inflated loops of
body together to make a distinctive noise similar to sawing wood.
If further agitated, will strike continuously and vigorously; may
even move toward an aggressor.
Venom’s effects:
Major source of snakebites and fatalities in region; venom highly
toxic to man. Symptoms include local pain, swelling, blistering,
abdominal pain, vomiting, hematuria, bleeding from gums, and
fever. Lasting pain and renal failure reported.

Egyptian Cobra
Description:
Adult length usually 1.5
to 2 meters (5-6.5 feet),
maximum of 3 meters (10
feet). Background color
usually yellow-gray to
brown or blue-black, but
extremely variable. Belly
yellowish with dark blotches. Most specimens have dark brown or
black band across the throat.
Habitat:
Various habitats include flat land, scrubby bushes, grass clumps,
irrigated fields, rocky hillsides, old ruins, and in vicinity of vil-
I-4
lages. Sea level to 1,600 meters (5,250 feet) elevation. Not found
in rain forests or extreme desert conditions.
Activity and behavioral patterns:
Nocturnal; emerges at dusk, but often seen basking in sun near its
retreat in early morning. Often occupies abandoned rodent bur-
rows or termite mounds. While not overtly aggressive, when mo-
lested, will rear and spread an impressive hood up to 12 centime-
ters (4.7 inches) across.
Venom’s effects:
Venom primarily neurotoxic, acting largely on nerves controlling
respiratory muscles. Untreated cases may culminate in respiratory
failure and death.

Sochurek’s Saw-scaled Viper

No Photograph Available
Description:
Maximum length of 0.8 meter. Background color gray-beige; belly
whitish, usually with dark gray spots. Series of pale, dark-edged dor-
sal spots, which may connect in zig-zag line. Incomplete undulating
pale line along sides. Distinctive gray cross pattern on top of head.
Habitat:
Very adaptable. Found in sandy, rocky, and cultivated areas.
Avoids wet terrain, but may enter water if necessary.
Activity and behavioral patterns:
Primarily nocturnal and terrestrial; but climbs low bushes and trees.
Venom’s effects:
Potent hemotoxin. Pain and swelling start soon after bite. Systemic
bleeding may start within 6 hours after bite. Other symptoms may
include vomiting, abdominal pain, regional lymph node enlarge-
ment, hematuria, and shock. Deaths recorded.
I-5
False-horned Viper
Description:
Adult length usually 0.5 to
0.7 meter, maximum of 0.9
meter. Background gener-
ally pale or bluish gray to
khaki; gray or brown-gray
blotches or crossbands on
back. Alternating faint
spots on throat and body sides. Ventral side white; tail black. Head
very broad; distinct from neck. Horn, composed of several over-
lapping scales, above each eye.
Habitat:
Most often found in desert bush. Also found in sandy, rocky
terrain, as well as burrows and crevices in elevations of up to
2,000 meters.
Activity and behavioral patterns:
Nocturnal. Sluggish, placid, less likely to bite during the day.
Dangerously active and aggressive at night. When disturbed, hisses
loudly but not particularly vicious. Locomotion characteristically
sidewinding. Frequently hides in rodent tunnels and beneath rocks.
Venom’s effects:
Primarily neurotoxic. May produce a few local symptoms such as
minor pain, mild tingling of the local area, stiffness; more serious
bite causes weakness followed by ptosis. Victim may be conscious,
but be unable to respond due to paralysis.
Dangerous Invertebrates
Scorpions
Although scorpions in the region are capable of inflicting a painful
sting, none are known to be life-threatening.
I-6
Spiders
Although there are several
spider species found in
the region that are capable
of inflicting a painful bite,
including some very large
and physically imposing
tarantulas, none are
known to be life-threatening.

Millipedes
Millipedes do not bite and
in general are harmless to
humans. However, when
handled, some larger
millipedes (may be more
than 50 centimeters long)
secrete a very noxious
fluid that can cause severe
blistering upon contact; some can squirt this fluid at least 2 feet.

Centipedes
Although area centipedes are capable of inflicting a painful bite,
none are known to be life-threatening.

Insects
There is little specific information of medical importance regard-
ing insects. However, nearly all countries have at least one spe-
cies of moth having venomous/urticating hairs and/or whose larva
(caterpillar) has venomous spines. Some caterpillars are very

I-7
hairy (such as puss moths and flannel moths) and almost unrecog-
nizable as caterpillars, with long silky hairs completely covering
the shorter venomous spines. Others bear prominent clumps of
still, venomous spines on an otherwise smooth body. Contact with
these caterpillars can be very painful. Some are brightly colored.
Paederus are small (usually 4 to 7 millimeters), slender rove bee-
tles that do not look like typical beetles and have very short wing
covers that expose most of their flexible abdomens. When crushed,
their body fluid contains an agent that will blister skin on contact.
The lesions take about a week to heal and the area remains painful
for several weeks. The substance is extremely irritating if it gets
into the eyes; temporary blindness has been reported.

Dangerous Plants
Velvet Bean
Other names:
Cowitch, cowhage, pica-
pica, ox eye bean, horse-
eye bean.
Mechanisms of toxicity:
Many of the species’ pods
and flowers are covered
with irritant hairs (prote-
olytic enzymes). Can be
dangerous if they become embedded in the eye. Beans tend to be
foul tasting, even after thorough boiling, so little danger of inges-
tion exists.
Comments:
Many species are widely naturalized.

I-8
Modikka
No Photograph Available
Mechanisms of toxicity:
The root is reported to contain prussic acid and a cyanogenic gly-
coside, which is destroyed by drying. It also contains a toxalbumin
called modeccin, which is a protein-synthesis inhibitor. The usual
poisoning scenario is that of the root being mistaken for an edible
tuber, particularly in situations of scarce food. Death has occurred
after ingestion of the fruit. Symptoms within one day are mainly
due to the hydrocyanic acid; the toxalbumin results in illness a few
days later. Used in India as a “worming” medicine; sap is very ir-
ritating. Has been used in Africa to murder.
Comments:
Some species have been used in Africa as medicinals (e.g., for
malaria and leprosy).

Desert Rose
Other names:
Monkey poison, mock
azalea, impala lily.
Mechanisms of toxicity:
Cardiac glycosides; used
for ordeals, arrow poison,
and as a fish stupifier.
Comments:
Five species; shrubs or trees; tropical and subtropical African and
Arabian distribution. Thrive best in dry areas; have thick stems.

Heliotrope
Other names:
Cherry pie, scorpion’s tail, Indian heliotrope.

I-9
Mechanisms of toxicity:
Contains pyrrolizidine alka-
loids. Cause of large epidemics
(Afghanistan, India) of illness
following ingestion of bread
made with flour contaminated
with members of this genus.
The pathologic effects (Budd-
Chiari syndrome) take weeks
to months, and death comes
slowly over years. Chronic
copper poisoning has occurred
associated with this plant.
Comments:
A large genus of worldwide
distribution (250 tropical and
temperate trees and shrubs).

English Yew
Other names:
Ground hemlock, American
yew, Japanese yew.
Mechanisms of toxicity:
Taxine A and B, classed as
steroid alkaloids, are pres-
ent in all plant parts except
the aril. A single chewed
seed is deadly. An hour after ingestion, nausea, dizziness, and ab-
dominal pain begin. This is followed by reddening of the lips, dila-
tation of the pupils, shallow breathing, tachycardia, and coma. Then
the pulse slows, blood pressure drops, and death occurs through
respiratory paralysis. No proven treatment exists. Emptying the
I-10
stomach hours after ingestion may be helpful as leaves may not pass
through the GI tract expeditiously. Various clinical measures (circu-
latory stimulants, artificial respiration, cardiac pacemaker) have not
prevented death in suicide cases.
Comments:
An evergreen shrub or small tree bearing a characteristic fleshy,
red, sweet-tasting aril with a single green to black, partly exposed,
hard-shelled seed within. In North America, the Japanese yew, the
toxicity of which may exceed that of the English yew, has repeat-
edly caused fatal animal poisonings. Was once known as the “tree
of death.”

Panama Tree
Other names:
Castano, tartargum.
Mechanisms of toxicity:
Seeds are edible, but pods
have internal stiff bristles
that easily penetrate skin,
causing intense irritation.
Comments:
There are 200 tropical
species.

I-11
APPENDIX J:
International Telephone Codes
Algeria 213 Malta 356
Australia 61 Mexico 52
Austria 43 Morocco 212
Bahrain 973 Netherlands 31
Belgium 32 Nigeria 234
Brazil 55 New Zealand 64
Canada 1 Norway 47
China 86 Oman 968
Cyprus 357 Philippines 63
Denmark 45 Portugal 351
Djibouti 253 Qatar 974
Egypt 20 Republic of Korea 82
Ethiopia 251 Saudi Arabia 966
Finland 358 Senegal 221
France 33 Seychelles 248
Gabon 241 Singapore 65
Germany 49 Somalia 252
Greece 30 South Africa 27
Hawaii 1 Spain 34
Hong Kong 852 Sweden 46
Indonesia 62 Switzerland 41
Iran 98 Syria 963
Iraq 964 Taiwan 886
Ireland 353 Tanzania 255
Israel 972 Thailand 66
Ivory Coast 225 Tunisia 216
Japan 81 Turkey 90
Jordan 962 UAE 971
Kenya 254 United Kingdom 44
Kuwait 965 United States 1
Libya 218 Yemen 967
Madagascar 261 Zambia 260
Malaysia 60 Zimbabwe 263

AT&T (public phones) 0072-911 On Base 550-HOME

or 0030-911 or 550-2USA

J-1
Notes
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