His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, the Supreme Commander, went on a Royal tour of the Ministry of Defence and the headquarters of the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) at Al Murtafaa Garrison. The guard of honour saluted His Majesty the Sultan as he arrived at the garrison. HH Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs, and Dr. Mohammed bin Nassir Al Zaabi, Secretary-General at the Ministry of Defence, met with His Majesty the Sultan at the Ministry of Defence’s premises.
HH Sayyid Shihab presented a symbolic gift to His Majesty the Sultan during this Royal visit. The Sultan also posed for commemorative photos with top officials and senior commanders in the Ministry of Defence and the SAF. Dr. Mohammed Al Zaabi provided a briefing on the Ministry of Defence, and Vice Admiral Abdullah bin Khamis Al Ra’eesi, Chief of Staff of the Saudi Air Force, provided a briefing on the SAF.
Commanders of the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO), and Commander of the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO), Maj. Gen. Mattar Salim Al Balushi, presented similar briefings to the Sultan. He then visited the Joint Operations Centre (JOC) at SAF headquarters. Upon his arrival there, the Sultan received the military salute from a guard of honor and listened to a briefing about the facilities and capabilities of the JOC, as well as the tasks entrusted to it. The briefing was delivered by Brigadier Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Mantheri, Assistant Chief of Staff of the SAF for Operations and Planning.
Then, His Majesty the Sultan listened to a briefing about the Maritime Security Centre (MSC) and the tasks and roles entrusted to it. The briefing was delivered by Commodore Mohammed bin Hamoud Al Zedjali, Commander of the MSC. During his visits to the JOC and MSC, the Sultan posed for commemorative photos with senior officers of the headquarters, divisions of the SAF and other administrations at the Ministry of Defence.