Ankara: The Royal Saudi Air Force has joined military units from several nations in the international combat search and rescue exercise-Phoenix of Anatolia-which officially began at Konya Air Base in central Turkiye.
The 11-day drill is designed to enhance operational coordination in high-risk environments and strengthen interoperability between participating forces.
Saudi Arabia’s contribution includes two Cougar search and rescue helicopters, supported by full aircrews and technical personnel.
The Kingdom’s team also includes six tactical air controllers, all under the leadership of Lt. Col. Pilot Abdulrahman Al-Mansour.
Speaking during the exercise, Al-Mansour emphasized the importance of readiness under realistic field conditions and the value of knowledge exchange between allied nations.
The exercise centers on combat search and rescue (CSAR) operations as a critical component of broader air mission success.
A key focus is training tactical air control units to seamlessly coordinate with partner systems during joint operations, a capability increasingly vital in modern warfare scenarios.
The Saudi contingent arrived in Turkiye the previous week and was officially welcomed by Rear Adm. Abdullah bin Gaith, Saudi Arabia’s military attaché in Ankara.
The Kingdom’s participation in Phoenix of Anatolia reflects its growing emphasis on multilateral military cooperation and advanced training as part of its broader defense modernization strategy.
