Defense minister inspects military facilities in Taif

Defense Minister Prince Salman made an inspection tour of the military sector in Taif on Wednesday. He started the tour at the Taif Military Command where he was welcomed by Taif Gov. Fahd Muammar and Chief of General Staff Gen. Hussain Al-Qabil and Commander Maj. Gen. Muhammad Al-Ghamdi. The defense minister was on his first inspection tour of the Taif military area, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. He also offered condolences on the demise of the late Prince Sultan. During the tour, Prince Salman visited a tank project and viewed various related processes in the development and deploy- ment of the tanks. He also visited the King Abdullah College of Air Defense and inspected the King Fahd Airbase. Prince Salman made a field visit of the fleet of advanced warplanes and inspected vari- ous types of aircraft. The prince also witnessed the demon- stration of the instant take-off technique of aircraft and was briefed on their opera- tions. The prince visited the headquarters of the third squadron at the King Fahd Airbase and viewed the operations of Typhoon aircraft. The prince also inspect- ed the Weapons Maintenance Institute. Addressing an event held in his honor, the prince said he was pleased to start his inspection tour in Taif because the first armed forces of the Kingdom were consti- tuted in the city. He also conveyed greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Naif, deputy premier and interior minister, to officers, soldiers and other officials.