Air power played a vital role in the Dhofar War, as the mountainous and inhospitable terrain made traditional ground combat extremely difficult. Air strikes, reconnaissance flights, and close air support were all critical to the success of the Omani government forces. Air force pilots conducted close air support (CAS) missions to assist ground troops in their efforts to defeat insurgent forces. Pilots used a variety of aircraft for these missions, including British-made Hawker Hunter jets and Bristol Belvedere helicopters. These aircraft were used for precision bombing and strafing runs to dislodge insurgents hiding in caves and villages.
