Bahrain’s Deputy King, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, visited the General Command of the Bahrain Defense Force (BDF).

Upon his arrival, the Deputy King was received by Field Marshal Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Commander-in-Chief of the BDF, and Lieutenant General Theyab bin Saqr Al Noaimi, the Chief of Staff, as well as a number of senior officers, Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported.

The Deputy King praised the advanced level of combat readiness, professionalism and morale enjoyed by members of the BDF and acknowledged the vital, patriotic role they play in protecting the Kingdom.

He expressed his thanks to the BDF for their efforts and contributions to the security and stability of the region, noting that the BDF has become a model of loyalty, sacrifice, efficiency and effectiveness.

The Deputy King was briefed on strategies, future plans and development and armament programs to enhance the capabilities of BDF personnel and to provide them with the highest level of training. 

On conclusion of the visit, the Commander-in-Chief of the BDF presented the Deputy King with a copy of his biography.

Meanwhile, Field Marshal Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, received in Manama, in the presence of the Chief-of-Staff, Lieutenant-General Dhiyab bin Saqr Al-Nuaimi, the Egyptian delegation to the 15th meeting of the High Joint Bahraini-Egyptian Military Cooperation Committee, led by the Assistant Chief-of-Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces, Rear Admiral Hussain Mustafa Al-Jaziri.

The Commander-in-Chief welcomed the members of the delegation, and reviewed with them the brotherly relations between Bahrain and Egypt, and ways to enhance them to serve the ongoing bilateral military cooperation.

A number of issues of mutual concern were also discussed.

Director of the BDF’s General Command’s Court, Major General Hassan Mohammed Saad, Inspector-General, Major General Abdulla Hassan Al-Nuaimi, and Assistant Chief of Staff for Supply and Catering, Rear Admiral Yussef Ahmed Malallah, were also present. 

Lastly, Bahrain National Guard Director of Staff Major General Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Saud Al Khalifa oversaw the successful conclusion of Homeland Shield Drill2.

The three-day exercise was implemented by National Guard units at the directives of His Highness Lt-General Sheikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa the President of the National Guard, to boost command-and-control systems as per the 2020 Training Goals to develop all sectors of the National Guard to maximum readiness and preparedness postures, he said.

General Sheikh Abdulaziz praised the cohesive team work spirit of the participating unit commanders, officers and NCOs, that boosts the ongoing training in the National Guard organization, raises the readiness of the various military formations, and boost their capabilities of instantly responding to exigencies whenever they occur to lessen their impact and ensure fast resilience from repercussions.

He pointed out that the military exercise reflects the proficiency and development of National Guard commanders in implementing drills to keep abreast of security challenges, and to project the key role of command-and-control systems within the National Guard’s assigned duties. 

In conclusion of the event, the Director of Staff distributed acknowledgment certificates to the drill participants.