His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, the Supreme Commander, paid a visit to the Royal Bahrain Air Force (RBAF), as part of Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) celebration of its 54th anniversary.
HM the King was welcomed on arrival by BDF Commander-in-Chief, Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa. HM was accompanied by his Personal Representative, His Highness Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, National Security Advisor, Royal Guard Commander, Major General His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and Commander of the Royal Guard Special Force, Lieutenant Colonel His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
HM the King was also welcomed by Defense Minister, Lieutenant General Abdullah bin Hassan Al Nuaimi, Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Dhiab bin Saqr Al Nuaimi, the RBAF Commander and senior officers, Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported.
In a speech delivered on the occasion, the RBAF Commander, Air Vice-Marshal Shaikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Khalifa paid tribute to HM the King for visiting Isa Air Base marking the 54th anniversary of BDF. He praised the BDF achievements and development brought about thanks to the directives of HM the King. He expressed, on behalf of RBAF affiliates, thanks and gratitude to HM the King for the visit to inaugurate a number of systems that have recently entered service in the air force and to inaugurate the aviation systems whose combat capabilities have been developed.
The RBAF Commander expressed most sincere thanks and gratitude to HM the King for his continuous keenness to modernize the air force, pointing out the provision of the three cutting edge and most efficient systems which have been contracted to obtain and will start arriving in the kingdom successively: the helicopter system (the Shield of Bahrain Project), the air defense system (the Spears of Bahrain Project), and the jetfighters system (the Hamad Hawks Project).
The BDF Commander-in-Chief presented HM the King with a commemorative gift marking the national occasion.
Then, HM inaugurated a number a number of modern aircraft which have entered the service in the Royal Bahrain Air Force. He was also informed about a number of aircraft which have been developed and inspected the RBAF squadron.
HM the King congratulated the RBAF personnel on the national occasion, praising the efforts of the BDF affiliates to protect the kingdom’s achievements and citizens’ security. He commended contributions of the RBAF personnel to promoting security and peace in the region, under the umbrella of the United Nations and in collaboration with brotherly and friendly countries.
HM affirmed keenness on continuous development of the RBAF aviation system by supplying it with the latest weaponry and equipment.
HM the King, the Supreme Commander, received congratulations on the 54th anniversary of BDF.
