RAFO Thumrait

RAFO Thumrait is a military airfield located near Thumrait in the Dhofar Governorate of Oman. Originally an oil depot, the installation was established to project air power in the region. The initial Omani air unit based at Thumrait operated ex-Royal Air Force Hawker Hunter FGA.9 aircraft for ground attack and intercept missions. In 1977, SEPECAT Jaguar fighter-bombers joined the base's complement. Coalition forces, including American and British air units, operated from the base during Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Desert Fox, and the War in Afghanistan.

The Royal Air Force of Oman operates the base, which hosts two RAFO squadrons of F-16 aircraft. The United States Air Force operates from the airfield as a tenant.

Facilities at the base include aircraft hangars and aprons. RAFO Thumrait serves as a United States Air Force War Reserve Materiel storage site and houses a Harvest Falcon depot. This transportable modular system includes personnel tents, electrical generators, billets, vehicles, and bare base equipment configured to support up to 1,100 personnel. Materiel maintained at the base encompasses munitions, medical supplies, fuels mobility equipment, aerospace ground equipment, rations, vehicles, and air base operability equipment.