DHAHRAN, 13 December 2002 — Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, opened yesterday an armed forces exhibition here at the King Abdul Aziz Air Base in the Eastern Province.
Apart from showcasing military equipment, machinery and advanced weaponry of the various divisions of the Saudi defense system, the display featured air and naval shows as well as parachute jumping, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The expo also showed the technological advancement and fighting prowess achieved by the Saudi defense forces.
Later, Prince Sultan inaugurated an advanced outpatient clinic at the base’s hospital.
Chief of Staff Gen. Saleh ibn Ali Al-Mahayya and the Chief of the Eastern Command Maj. Gen. Suroor ibn Mohammed Al-Harbi received the prince at the exhibition venue. Following the inauguration, Saudi pilots displayed their skill to handle the most advanced fighter planes with confidence and ease. The exhibition started with an arrow formation of fighter planes followed by pyramid and half bow formations which required the highest level of precision and synchronization. Individual displays also included a pelican formation. This was followed by the breath-taking aerobatics of the naval units including rapid parachute jumping.
Imam Faisal ibn Turki division also took part in the free parachute jumping display from very high altitudes.
Prince Sultan also toured the exhibition including the pavilion which outlined the phased development of the Kingdom’s defense forces since the Kingdom was founded by the late King Abdul Aziz.
The prince also opened an armed forces museum at the base. The functions were also attended by Deputy Interior Minister Prince Ahmad and Governor of Eastern Province Prince Mohammed ibn Fahd.
The clinics complex for outpatients opened by Prince Sultan at the base’s hospital yesterday is considered the largest in terms of medical facilities and size in the Eastern Province.
Mohammed Al-Halafi, director of the hospital, said the complex built at a cost of SR10 million and comprising 66 clinics has the capability to serve 600,000 patients annually.
