SAS 1972

The Battle of Mirbat Memorial

Talaiasi Labalaba

Thomas Tobin

Mike Kealy

This is the very first memorial commemorating the SAS solders who fought during the Battle of Mirbat. The original memorial plaque gifted by Lord Michael Ashcroft and established in 2008 has now been replaced and added to the Sun Room ceiling panels. This memorial was dedicated in July 2009 with many of the original SAS who fought at Mirbat attending. The original (2008) and this memorial plaque (2019) were designed by Mike Colton.
  • Memorial Text
  • Code named Operation Storm. Between 1970 and 1975 a war was fought for the hearts and minds of theJebali (mountain people) of the Province of Dhofar in Southern Oman. Soldiers from 22 Special Air Service Regiment were deployed under the guise of a British Army Training Team, commonly known as BATT men. The SAS objective was to help the armed forces of Oman win the battle on the Jebel and deliver the Province from armed communists operating from bases in the Yemen.
  • At dawn on the 19th July a nine man BATT team was “stood to” in their gun positions at the ancient capital port of Dhofar called MIRBAT.
  • They came under attack by over 250 communist fighters. As the battle intensified Talaiasi Labalaba a Fijian was firing the 25 pounder field gun directly at the enemy forces who were only yards away from the gun pit. Whalid Khamis of the Omani gun team and Sekonaia Takavesi another Fijian had been seriously wounded.
  • Tommy Tobin the medic was tending to them when he was shot in the jaw, a wound that was to prove fatal. The defense of the gun pit was taken over by Mike Kealy and Takavesi until about two hours later when a relief force of fighter planes and helicopter borne soldiers from 22 SAS arrived and routed the enemy. Labalaba sadly died in the gun pit along with a Dhofar Gendarmerie soldier.

Commemorating soldiers of 22 SAS

  • 1972 – Talaiasi Labalaba
  • 1972 – Thomas Tobin
  • 1979 – Mike Kealy

This battle turned the tide of war to victory. This memorial was dedicated on the 19th July 2009.

Mirbat Casualties Remembered

Talaiasi Labalaba joined 22 SAS from the Royal Irish Rangers. His supreme bravery at Mirbat is legendary. This picture was donated by the Allied Special Forces Association and now sits beside the original 25 Pounder Gun at the Royal Artillery Museum.
  • Thomas Tobin Joined 22 SAS from the Army Catering Corps. Due to wounds sustained during the Battle he sadly died in October 1972.
  • Sekonaia Takavesi was wounded but survived the Battle. Sek or Tak as he is known joined 22 SAS from the Kings Own Border Regiment.
  • Whalid Khamis the Omani Gunner. Wounded at Mirbat but still managed to carry on the fight against the Adoo.
  • Mike Kealy lost his life whilst undertaking a second SAS selection in February 1979. Mike joined B. Squadron from the 1st Battalion Queens Royal Regiment.

PAGE UPDATED 17TH OCTOBER 2025