Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation for Military Affairs, patronized here today the closing session of the military exercises, nicknamed 'the Enthusiastic Commander' in the Southern region. Speaking on the occasion, Prince Khalid pointed out to the directives of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Deputy Premier, Defense and Aviation Minister and Inspector General, to improve the efficiency of the armed forces. He said these military exercises constitute a beginning for intensive training courses. He noted that the exercises come after preparations which lasted for more than five years. They included joint exercises for air, land and naval forces along with the forces of Arab, Muslim and friendly forces. He pointed that such exercises will positively contribute to upgrading the armed forces. Prince Khalid cited the joint exercises between the Royal Saudi Air Forces and the US air forces earlier organized in the US. 'Now we come to Khamis-Misheit for other exercises with the US land forces', he said. Prince Khalid said the exercises of the 'Enthusiastic Commander' continued for four weeks, and preparations for the exercises were made six months ago. These exercises stand as a witness for the high efficiency of our armed forces, he said adding that 'I want to assure the Saudis that there are armed forces which develop themselves with the support of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques and his Crown Prince'. Prince Khalid reiterated that the Royal Saudi Air Forces have benefited from the Red Flag exercises earlier organized in the US. 'As war in the contemporary time is a war of brains and computer, it is an essential mater to improve the performance of our armed forces', he said noting that other exercises will be organized in Pakistan, Egypt and a number of fraternal and friendly countries. Prince Khalid pointed that arrangements are underway to organize the exercises nicknamed 'Seif al-Salam' (the Sword of Peace' in Tabuk region.
