Royal family visits Columbus

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

While Columbus graduates students every three weeks, this class is particularly special as the Governor of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Prince Salman bin Abd al-Aziz Abd al-Rahman's son, Khalid bin Salman bin Abd al-aziz al-Saud, will be graduating with 25 other members of SUPT class 09-06. 

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

In addition to the 20 USAF officers earning their wings, three RSAF 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," according to Col. Tim Carey, Chief, Gulf Cooperation Council Division, Undersecretary of the Air Force for International Affairs. "These strong partnerships help with regional and national security by building coalition partners around the world." 

According to Colonel Carey, continuing to strengthen ties with countries like Saudi Arabia is important as it is a leader in the gulf region. A total of nine members of the Royal Saudi Air Force trained in various programs with the USAF in 2005, 161 trained in 2008, punctuating the strengthening of the partnership. 

"Relationships are built among the people while in the U.S. during training that will endure well beyond once training here is completed," remarked Mr. Gerald Hust, Director of International Training and Education for Air Education and Training Command. "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." 

"This graduation is a major milestone in the continuing strong relationship between the USAF and the RSAF," reflects Maj. Jeff Patton, Saudi Arabia Country Director, Undersecretary of the Air Force for International Affairs. "This is the First Saudi student to graduate from USAF pilot training in 13 years."


"We are confident that our students are getting the best training in the world," remarked Brig. Gen al-Qahtani. "We appreciate the support Columbus AFB has provided our students and the Royal delegation."