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Dubai: Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince, on Thursday attended at Al Menhad Airbase in Dubai a celebration held by the UAE Air Force and Air Defence, marking the 38th anniversary of UAE Air Force unification.
Also present at the event were Crown Princes Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi of Ras Al Khaimah, Shaikh Rashid Bin Saud Bin Rashid Al Mualla of Umm Al Quwain, and Shaikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi of Ajman.
In his opening speech, Major General Staff Pilot Mohammad Bin Suweidan Saeed Al Qumzi, Commander of the UAE Air Force and Air Defence, said that the anniversary marking the unification of the air forces under one leadership is a result of the UAE's wise leadership spearheaded by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
He said that the UAE Air Forces has become a body that is able to efficiently handle their duties, especially because it relies on educated and knowledgeable Emiratis who possess military skills that have qualified them to be a key part of the UAE Armed Forces.
Also present at the event were Mohammad Ahmad Al Murr, Speaker of the Federal National Council, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, and other senior military officials.