RIYADH: On Monday, the international military exercise Desert Flag, which is being held at Al-Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, commenced with the participation of personnel from the Royal Saudi Air Force and its allies.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the forces will participate in a range of flight-related drills over the following three weeks, including close-air support, combat search and rescue missions, and offensive and defensive counter-air operations. Participating countries include Oman, Turkey, the United States, France, and South Korea, in addition to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
According to Lt. Col. Adel bin Saeed Abu Malha, commander of the Saudi air force group taking part, the goal of the exercise is to enable the sharing of military knowledge on strategic planning and execution in a setting that simulates a conflict. According to him, it also seeks to strengthen the bonds between the armed forces of the various countries and improve the operational preparedness and combat effectiveness of air and technical support crews. According to Abu Malha, six Saudi F-15SA fighter planes are participating in the practice together with their entire air, technical, and support teams.
Last Monday, a Saudi air force personnel arrived at Al-Dhafra Air Base to start preparations. Brig. Gen. Khalid Alhajiri, the military attaché of the Saudi Embassy in the United Arab Emirates, welcomed them.
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