Marking the 48th anniversary of establishment of the Bahrain Defense Force (BDF), King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa last week patronized the opening ceremony of the Capital Camp, Unified Naval Operations Center Headquarters and raising the flag of the 21st Royal Mechanized Infantry Battalion. Bahrain’s Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa was present, Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported.

Upon arrival, the King was received by Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister; BDF Commander-in-Chief Field Marshal Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa; Chief of Staff Lt-Gen Dhiab bin Sagr Al-Nuaimi and a number of Senior BDF Officers.

After playing the Royal National Anthem, the King unveiled the monument to announce the opening of the Capital Camp and the 21st Royal Mechanized Infantry Battalion to mark their accession to the BDF units.

King Hamad expressed delight in the inauguration of the Capital Camp and GCC Unified Naval Operations Center Headquarters and raising the flag of the 21st Royal Mechanized Infantry Battalion.

He paid tribute to the BDF servicemen who will always defend the homeland and protect national achievements and gains in the interest of the progress and prosperity march witnessed by Bahrain, as well as maintaining peace and secur.

The King, then, inaugurated the Unified Naval Operation Center, which is to be under the supervision of the GCC Unified Military Command, as agreed among the Gulf leaders to be stationed in the Kingdom of Bahrain within the framework of the GCC military cooperation. HM the King was received by GCC Secretary General Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, GCC Chiefs of Staff and Marine Commanders.

The King then decorated a number of BDF servicemen in appreciation of their participation in the Operation Decisive Storm and Operation Restoring Hope within the Saudi-led Arab coalition forces to support legitimacy in Yemen.

Meanwhile, the Special Duty Force celebrated the 48th anniversary of the establishment of the Bahrain Defense Force (BDF).

Special Duty Force’s affiliates expressed pride in the support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and BDF’s patriotic role in protecting Bahrain and its achievements.