The initial combat element of the ADDF’s Air Wing was a squadron equipped with refurbished Hawker Hunter fighter-bombers, ordered through the Contract No. HAS/69//AD/082, in February 1969. This consisted of seven FGA.Mk 76 fighter-bombers (serials 701-707), three FR.Mk 76A single seat reconnaissance fighters (serials 708-710), and two T.Mk 77 two-seat conversion trainers (serials 711-712). All were painted in light stone and dark brown on upper surfaces and sides: at least the first two FGA.Mk 76s – possibly the first FR.Mk 76A, too – had their undersides painted in light admiralty grey: subsequent examples received a coat of either aircraft blue (BS381C/108) or cobalt blue (BS381C/115) instead. Initially home-based at Abu Dhabi’s Al Bateen Airport, what was originally known just as Hunter Squadron was re-designated to the I Shaheen Squadron and re-deployed to Sharjah, in the mid-1970s. Except for two FR.Mk 76As lost in accidents (708 and 710), and one T.Mk 77 that was broken down for spares, surviving examples were subsequently donated to Somalia. (Artwork by Tom Cooper)