Addressing the ceremony, Prince Salman extended the forces the greetings of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, supreme commander of the armed forces, and Crown Prince Naif.
Prince Salman noted King Abdul Aziz’s efforts to unify the Kingdom and said that unity brought security and stability to the country. He remembered the late Prince Sultan and commended his contributions for the development of the armed forces.
The minister was greeted by Chief of Staff Gen. Hussein Al-Qubail, Gen. Abdul Rahman Al-Binyan, director general of the minister’s office, Gen. Khaled bin Bandar, commander of land forces, and Maj. Gen. Eid Al-Shalawi, commander of the Northern Region.
Gen. Al-Shalawi said Prince Salman’s visit would boost the morale of soldiers in the region. He said the armed forces is vigilant and ready to defend the country and its people and resources.
“The armed forces personnel are proud of sacrificing their lives to defend the nation,” he added.
The parade included acrobatic shows by Saudi air force and parachute landing by special forces.
Prince Salman, who is on an inspection tour of armed forces personnel and facilities in Tabuk, visited the third air defense command where its commander Maj. Gen. Khalaf Al-Joaid said his forces have achieved high combating capability and preparedness.
The defense minister also visited the King Faisal Air Base in Tabuk where he opened three projects.
