Aces Meet: Multinational counter-terrorism air exercise concludes

Turkey, Saudi Arabia forces simulate contemporary air combat tactics

ISLAMABAD: The culmination ceremony of the first multinational counter-terrorism air exercise was held at a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) operational airbase on Saturday, with Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman as the chief guest.

The two-week exercise codenamed ‘Aces Meet-2017’ involved contingents from the Turkish Air Force and the Royal Saudi Air Force, including combat pilots and ground technical crew with their fighter aircraft. Officials from eight friendly countries participated in the exercise as observers.

Addressing the ceremony, the air chief lauded the professionalism of the participating air forces. He said the PAF continues to progress on the sound foundations built by its illustrious ancestors to take the force to greater heights of excellence.



Contingent commanders of both the brotherly air forces also spoke at the occasion and thanked the PAF for its hospitality. The ceremony was also attended by former air chiefs, PAF war veterans, retired and senior serving officers.

Earlier, the air chief participated in the last mission of the exercise, flying an F-15 aircraft of the Royal Saudi Air Force. The main objective of the exercise was to maximise the combat readiness of the air forces by providing a realistic training environment in air combat and counter-terrorism operations.

The participating crews simulated contemporary air combat tactics, utilising state-of-the-art training aids. Besides live para-drops by the PAF Special Services Wing in the contested airspace, large force employment concept was also practised during the exercise.