PAF chief Sohail Aman awarded King Abdul

ISLAMABAD: Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, was awarded King Abdul Aziz Medal of Excellence in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

According to a PAF press release, General Abdul Rahman Bin Saleh Al-Bunyan, Chief of General Staff, Royal Saudi Armed Forces, conferred the coveted award on the air chief in a grand investiture ceremony held on Friday.

This prestigious medal has been awarded to the air chief in recognition of support provided by PAF to Royal Saudi Air Force in various domains, especially by Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman for his valuable services to the promotion of cordial relations between the two air forces.

Earlier, the air chief called on General Abdul Rahman Bin Saleh Al-Bunyan in his office. Air chief Sohail Aman highlighted the PAF’s key role in the counter-terrorism operations in Pakistan. He also reiterated to enhance the existing cooperation with Saudi Arabia in the field of aviation.

General Abdul Rahman Bin Saleh Al-Bunyan acknowledged the contributions of the air chief for enhancement of defence ties between both the brotherly countries. He also lauded the PAF’s role in the success of operation Zarb-e-Azb and termed it role model for the other air forces of the world.

Later on, the air chief also met Major General Mohammed bin Saleh Al Otaibi, Commander Royal Saudi Air Force, at Royal Saudi Air Operations Center, Riyadh. The air chief expressed satisfaction on the unremitting mutual cooperation between the two air forces and offered assistance to his counterpart in the fields of military and aviation training. Commander RSAF thanked the Air Chief for the promotion of bilateral relations between the two air forces and also appreciated high standards of professionalism being set by PAF personnel.

Later in the day, the Air Chief called on Mohammad Abdullah Al-Aysh, Assistant Defence Minister of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the Ministry of Defence. The Saudi Assistant Defence Minister lauded Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman and PAF for supporting Royal Saudi Air Force over the years. Both the dignitaries remained together for some time and discussed matters of bilateral defence ties and mutual interest. The Air Chief reiterated to further enhance the defence collaboration between both the brotherly countries.