Saudi AF visits 388th Fighter Wing

  • Published
  • By Andrea Houck
  • 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  Four members of the Royal Saudi Air Force visited the 388th Fighter Wing's Range Squadron Sept. 27 to gain insight into various capabilities found at the Utah Test and Training Range.
 
The RSAF group, led by Lt. Col. Turki Bin Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, 92nd Fighter Squadron commander at Dhahran Air Base, was escorted by Chris Robinson, director of operations for the 388th Range Squadron.

While here, the group received an overview briefing about the history of the UTTR, its joint customers, target sites and personnel. Following the brief was a tour at the UTTR.

Lt. Col. Turki said the visit was an opportunity to learn how the Department of Defense realistically trains for the theater.

"I'm so impressed with what I've learned so far about the range's training capability," he said.

"There is a wealth of information and experience here for us to learn from and use for integrating Royal Saudi Air Force ranges to be more realistic training," he said.

The UTTR is used by Air Force, Navy and Army units and has more than 12,000 square nautical miles of airspace owned and operated by the 388th Range Squadron. Air Force Military Command manages the land in support of the UTTR mission.

Out at the range, the visitors observed military bombing ranges and target complexes at Eagle Range and enjoyed lunch at Oasis, the primary onsite support facility for the UTTR.

Throughout the day, participants from both air forces exchanged ideas about each nation's training procedures, with an emphasis on building a partnership capability.

"The fact that this site survey was requested by the chief of staff of the Royal Saudi Air Force indicates that it's a high priority for them," said Richard Basak, Air Combat Command Range Operations Branch.
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