Royal Saudi family attends pilot training graduation

  • Published
  • By Sonic Johnson
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. (AFNS) --  Members of the royal family of Saudi Arabia visited Columbus Air Force Base March 13 to participate in the graduation ceremony of Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 09-06.

While Columbus AFB officials graduate students every three weeks, this class is particularly special as the Saudi Arabian Governor of Riyadh Prince Salman bin Abd al-Aziz Abd al-Rahman's son, Khalid bin Salman bin Abd al-aziz al-Saud, graduated with 25 other members of SUPT Class 09-06.

"We are grateful that Prince Salman attended the graduation and are honored by his presence," said Royal Saudi air force Brig. Gen. Ahmed al-Qahtani, the air attache. General al-Qahtani also graduated from pilot training at Columbus AFB in 1985.

In addition to the 20 U.S. Air Force officers earning their wings, three Royal Saudi air force lieutenants, a Uruguayan air force and two Portuguese air force officers will also pin on their coveted silver wings at the hour-long formal ceremony.

"International training in the Air Force is important today to continue to build relationships at all levels within the air forces," said Col. Tim Carey, the undersecretary of the Air Force for international affairs Gulf Cooperation Council Division chief. "These strong partnerships help with regional and national security by building coalition partners around the world." 

Continuing to strengthen ties with countries like Saudi Arabia is important as it is a leader in the gulf region, Colonel Carey said.

"Relationships are built among the people while in the U.S. during training that will endure well beyond once training here is completed," said Gerald Hust, the Air Education and Training command international training and education director. "Just like coalition exercises and training -- both operational training and professional military education -- this cultural integration makes you a stronger coalition team. Operational interoperability is important, but so is a mutual understanding of each other's cultural perspectives that is learned and experienced in these programs."

A total of nine members of the Royal Saudi air force trained in various programs with the U.S. Air Force in 2005 and 161 trained in 2008, punctuating the strengthening of the partnership.

"This graduation is a major milestone in the continuing strong relationship between the U.S. Air Force and the Royal Saudi air force," said Maj. Jeff Patton, the undersecretary of the Air Force for international affairs Saudi Arabia country director. "This is the first Saudi student to graduate from U.S. Air Force pilot training in 13 years."

Attendees witnessed the capstone event culminating a year of training showing support for the students' efforts throughout the program.

"We are confident that our students are getting the best training in the world," General al-Qahtani said. "We appreciate the support Columbus AFB has provided our students and the royal delegation."

Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link)

View the comments/letters page