PAF chief Sohail Aman awarded King Abdul Aziz Medal of Excellence

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

Chief of General Staff Royal Saudi Armed Forces General Abdul Rahman Bin Saleh Al-Bunyan conferred the coveted award on the air chief in a grand investiture ceremony.

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

Earlier, the air chief called on chief of general staff royal Saudi armed forcesin his office. The Saudi air chief 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 Al-Bunyan acknowledged the contributions of the air chief for enhancement of defense 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.

The air chief also met Commander Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) at Royal Saudi Air Operations Center Riyadh Major General Mohammed bin Saleh Al Otaibi. He 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 Assistant Defence Minister of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at Ministry of Defence Mohammad Abdullah Al-Aysh. The Saudi assistant defence minister lauded Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman and the PAF for supporting the RSAf over the years.

Both the dignitaries discussed matters of bilateral defence ties and mutual interest. The air chief reiterated to further enhance the defence collaboration between both the brotherly countries.

Former Chiefs of Army Staff Pervez Musharraf and Raheel Sharif, former Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Tariq Majid, and incumbent CJCSC General Zubair Mehmood Hayat, and former Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zakaullah have received the award previously.