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KSA Launches Most Modern Air Power: F-15SA Eagle | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques patronizes King Faisal Air College ceremony on its 50th anniversary, graduation of 91st batch of students, inauguration of new aircraft F.15SA/ SPA


Riyadh- Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud launched on Wednesday the new F-15SA aircraft during the 50th anniversary ceremony of the Foundation of King Faisal Air College and the graduation of the 91st batch of its students in Riyadh, in the presence of Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir.

The F-15SA is the most advanced production of F-15 ever built and is one of the most qualitative superior planes in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia ordered 84 F-15SAs and close to 70 kits to upgrade their existing F-15S fleet to the SA configuration.

By adding the F-15SA to its fleet, the Royal Saudi Air Force would secure owning the most modern powers to protect its land, and to guard the safety of the Kingdom and the region against any foreign threats.

It is worth nothing that parts of the F-15SA were produced thanks to a partnership between two Saudi companies and the Boeing Company, which took five years to build the modern aircraft. More than 100 specialized engineers supervised its advancement and manufacturing.

During the ceremony on Wednesday, King Salman and the guests watched an air show in which were displayed various aircrafts of the Saudi Royal Air Force. The air show included Tornado fighter aircraft, Typhoons, F-15 interceptors, multi-task F-15s, F-15SA aircraft.

Later, a display of a group of F-15SA performed in addition to air shows by Saudi Falcons team, which registered recently in the Guinness World Records for forming the largest logo of a country.

Later, Commander of the King Faisal Air College, Air Vice Marshal Khalid Al-La’aboun said: “Today we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the foundation of this great edifice where the beginning of training was launched by late King Faisal bin Abdulaziz by raising the banner of the College in this field honored to be named after him.”

Also, King Salman honored two alumni of the Academy, Bahraini Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Sheikh Hamad Bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa and Qatari Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Mubarak Bin Hamad Al-Khayarain.