DAMMAM: Participation of 49 countries in the Anatolian Eagle war games launched recently in the Konya air base in Turkey has increased the map of military exercises inside and outside Saudi Arabia.
The Anatolian Eagle exercise includes air support and defensive and offensive process with the participation of Turkish and Pakistani forces, in addition to the NATO alliance members.
The aim is to develop potential and benefit from expertise and experiences of the interacting countries.
In March this year, a 20-country joint military exercises, titled North Thunder, was carried in Saudi Arabia, with the aim to unify armed tactics for the region’s stability.
Former commander, Maj. Gen. Dr. Shami bin Mohammad Al-Thahiri, said the holding of military exercises is very important and the participation of the North Thunder was the biggest military exercise in the region, and produced many positive results.
He said forces are in need of military exercises in order to implement a number of plans and theories which lie at the heart of the military forces of participating countries. He said participating with other military forces is a positive thing because of the differences between methods and performances of armies.
Al-Thahiri said the Anatolian Eagle exercise provides an opportunity for 31 countries to exchange expertise, adding that some armies are among the best in the world including the French, American, British and German armies.
Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz approved the participation of the Saudi forces in the exercise. Planes of the Royal Saudi Air Force arrived at the Konia air base that were received by the Saudi military attaché in Turkey Col. Brig. Gen. Mohammad bin Hamad Al-Sheheel and the commander of the air force groups in the upcoming exercise provided by pilot, Misfer bin Mohammad Al-Ahmadi.
The commander of the military forces, that participated in the exercise, said air forces work within pre-planned training programs and plans to develop the skills of Saudi technical and administrative air staff, reported Okaz.
Military exercises enhance region’s preparedness
Military exercises enhance region’s preparedness
Commander of Royal Saudi Air Force receives Military Order of Oman
- Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman conferred the order upon Lt. Gen. Turki bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz
LONDON: Lt. Gen. Turki bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, the commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force, received on Wednesday the Military Order of Oman (Second Class) in recognition of his efforts and contributions in strengthening military cooperation between Oman and Saudi Arabia.
The order was presented by Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik Al-Said, the deputy prime minister for defense affairs, when he received the Saudi Air Force commander in his office at Al-Murtafa’a Camp in Muscat.
Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman conferred the order upon Lt. Gen. Abdulaziz, according to the Oman News Agency.
Several Omani officials, including Air Vice Marshal Khamis bin Hammad Al-Ghafri, the Commander of the Royal Air Force of Oman, attended the ceremony. Also present were the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Oman Ibrahim bin Saad bin Bishan, and the military attache from the Saudi Embassy in Muscat.
In a separate meeting on Wednesday, Lt. Gen. Abdulaziz and his Omani counterpart Al-Ghafri discussed training and drills between the two air forces, as well as aspects of military cooperation.
