Dubai's Defense Force as it used to be

The Recruits were taken on Training Marches around the local area complete with Military Band. This Photo is of a Training March in 1972 parading along "Zoo Road". This Road connected Al Wasl Road (or Iranian Hospital Road) and Jumeirah Beach Road. Dubai Zoo was on the corner.

Training Marches were a regular event. There was little road traffic so no problem marching through the streets. Doubt that is possible in modern Dubai!

Peter was 6 years old. He wanted to go to the Passing Out Parade but children were not allowed to attend. Instead the DDF organised a Training March to pass by his front door! The apartment building still exists today.

This is the land between Jumeirah Beach Road and Al Wasl Road in 1972. There is little development.

DDF began training Parachutists around 1972. Their first Parachute Training School was located in Zabeel near to what is now Sheikh Zayed Road.

DDF's Parachute Training School later moved to the Hatta Road area. Facilities were basic but DDF Parachutists soon began competing successfully in International Military Parachuting Competitions.

Sheikh Rashid was building up the strength of his Dubai Defense Force. Each month there was a Passing Out Parade for new Recruits. This is the cover from a 1972 Souvenir Programme.

Sheikh Rashid was building up the strength of his Dubai Defense Force. Each month there was a Passing Out Parade for new Recruits. This is the cover from a 1972 Souvenir Programme.

Sheikh Rashid was building up the strength of his Dubai Defense Force. Each month there was a Passing Out Parade for new Recruits. This is the cover from a 1972 Souvenir Programme.

Sheikh Rashid was building up the strength of his Dubai Defense Force. Each month there was a Passing Out Parade for new Recruits. This is the cover from a 1972 Souvenir Programme.

Sheikh Rashid was building up the strength of his Dubai Defense Force. Each month there was a Passing Out Parade for new Recruits. This is the cover from a 1972 Souvenir Programme.

Sheikh Rashid was building up the strength of his Dubai Defense Force. Each month there was a Passing Out Parade for new Recruits. This is the cover from a 1972 Souvenir Programme.