RIYADH: Royal Saudi Air Force aircraft and F-15C Eagle fighter jets belonging to the US Air Force flew in formation over the Arabian Gulf Sunday, supported by both Saudi and US air-to-air refueling aircraft.
The aim of the exercise was to continue to strengthen military relations between the two countries.
US officials have recently said that there has been a surge in intelligence pointing to Iranian preparations for attacks against US forces and interests in the Gulf region.
In response to those intelligence warnings, the US on May 5 announced it was accelerating the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier battle group to the Gulf region. It also sent four nuclear-capable B-52 bombers to Qatar and has beefed up its defenses in the region by deploying more Patriot air defense systems.
Royal Saudi and US air forces carry out exercise over Arabian Gulf
Updated 16 June 2019