Contents - Alsalam Aircraft Company
Transcription
Contents - Alsalam Aircraft Company
Alsalam Horizons Contents Abdul Hadi Al Shamlani Vice President Human Resources Public Relations Salah Al-Faisal Editorial Team Willis Brown Salah Idriss Ronald Barber Yahya AL-Yazeedi Adel Al-Safi 6 ALSALAM Aircraft CO. P.O. BOX 8012 Riyadh 11482 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Tel.:01 220 3966 Fax: 01 220 3972 7 8 HH Commander of RSAF Visits Alsalam 11 Chairman and CEO of the Boeing Company at Alsalam 14 Alsalam Horizons Interviews the Commander of PSAB w w w . a l s a l a m . a e r o Guests ofRemarks Alsalam Opening The Growth of Alsalam Aircraft Company General Abdulrahman Al-Marshad Command of Royal Saudi Land Forces 2 ALSALAM HORIZONS / Issue 9 - May 2010 I recently visited Alsalam Aircraft Company in response to an invitation from Alsalam’s Management. The visit was a great opportunity to learn more about Alsalam, its activities, and capabilities. I met with Alsalam’s executives and was briefed on their achievements and the origins of Alsalam as a member of the Economic Offset Program sponsored under the auspices of the Ministry of Defense Aviation and the backing of Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General. The company’s objective is to meet the needs of the Kingdom in the aviation industry, maintenance, overhaul, upgrade, and modification of military and civil aircraft. We are pleased with what we have seen during our tours of the company’s facilities. In a relatively short period of twenty years since its beginning, Alsalam has developed a reliable aviation capability in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, Alsalam has won the confidence of domestic as well as foreign customers and entered into contracts for maintenance, refurbishment, and modernization of aircraft at the regional and international levels. This of course has not only limited the transfer of funds outside the Kingdom, but has attracted funds from abroad. These achievements are the result of the dedication and hard work of sincere, competent, and motivated men. We saw the newly built workshops for the manufacture of aircraft spare parts and assembly, supported by a highly trained and qualified national workforce. I was extremely delighted to see Saudi youth actively working in various disciplines. I was told that training young Saudi graduates fresh out of technical colleges in advanced training programs is the first priority of Alsalam. Alsalam has contributed much to the development of an aviation maintenance base which will meet the needs of the Kingdom and other countries in the area for aircraft maintenance, refurbishment, and to the manufacture spare parts for military, civil, and private aircraft. Finally, Alsalam is an industrial symbol of pride to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Saudi people in the field aviation technology. God bless Saudi Arabia and its leaders. Wishing Alsalam, employees, and management all the best. News of Alsalam Completion of new facilities After two years of construction work, the new back shop expansion facilities have been completed. This complex consist of workshops for the manufacture and assembly of some parts of modern military aircraft, and the expansion of some existing workshops for the maintenance and manufacture of spare parts for some of the civil and military aircraft. The construction work started at the end of 2008, when Alsalam invested SR 150 million for the establishment of these state-of-theart facilities. With the highest construction specifications and the latest technical equipment incorporated, the new facilities are equal to and may exceed similar facilities in other advanced industrial countries. With the completion of this complex, Alsalam has taken a major step in strengthening its services and manufacturing capacity, an important effort in the improvement of the aviation industry in the Kingdom. Already in use, these new specialized shops were key to the completion of eleven Hawk Canopy parts… a source of pride for the Alsalam company. F-15S Re-Engine Project Completed A team from Alsalam Aircraft Company completed the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) F-15S re-engine program whereby the fighters’ Pratt & Whitney engines were replaced with GE engines. Twenty-five of Alsalam’s expert technicians were involved this critical program. In a remarkable achievement, Alsalam’s team was able to complete the program one month ahead of schedule and under budget. “Alsalam Horizons” congratulates the program management and personnel in this remarkable achievement. ALSALAM HORIZONS / Issue 9 - May 2010 3 News of Alsalam Alsalam Celebrates the Completion of the AWACS Link-16 Project With the participation of officials from the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) and the Boeing Company, Alsalam celebrated last November the delivery of the last AWACS aircraft to the RSAF after the implementation of the of the Link-16 to make it compatible with the latest RSAF systems. Alsalam had won the Link-16 contract as a subcontractor to the Boeing Company. Upon signature of the contract, Alsalam sent a national cadre of engineers and specialists for a period of ten weeks to the United States. They received on-the-job training on the different stages of the Link-16 program on the first aircraft which was completed at the Boeing facilities. The remaining aircraft were completed at Alsalam’s facilities in Riyadh. Indicative of Alsalam’s skilled resources, backed by qualified national cadres and international expertise, the work was completed on all the aircraft four weeks ahead of schedule. In addition to the upgraded benefits that the program brings to RSAF, the program is a real plus to the national aviation industry and the overall objectives of the Economic Offset Program, which enjoys the support and patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, under the guidance of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. It is noteworthy that Alsalam Aircraft Company was founded in 1988 with the core objective to build a national capability in the area of maintenance, modification, and refurbishment of civil and military aircraft, and the advancement of aviation industry in the Kingdom in general. Today Alsalam enjoys a renowned status at the local, regional, and global levels and employs more than 2700 employees with a Saudization rate of nearly 60%. Alsalam technical team Replace a Major C-130 Part A technical team of Alsalam has professionally replaced a C-130 longorn for the first time at Alsalam facility. The job has been successfully completed on the scheduled time. We congratulate our technical team for the well done job. 4 ALSALAM HORIZONS / Issue 9 - May 2010 F-15 PDM Egress Supervisor Awarded “Challenge” Coin During his last visit to Alsalam Aircraft Company and the F-15 PDM in particular, Colonel Niemantsverdriet, Commander, 830 ACSG (Aircraft Sustainment Group), presented the supervisor of the Egress Department, Ghazi Bin Ali, with a “challenge” coin. This presentation marks a military tradition whereby senior officers honor people who have demonstrated a very high degree of professionalism or achieved a particularly difficult goal by giving them a coin that represents the officer’s unit that he commands. The Colonel remarked that the last time he visited the F-15 PDM that he was very impressed with what he saw in the Egress Shop and said to himself that if it was just as impressive the next time he visited, he would give the supervisor his coin. True to his word, when he visited the F-15 Egress Shop, it was just as impressive as the first time he visited, and he presented the coin to Ghazi Bin Ali. This is a true testimony to Ghazi and his Team that not only are they doing an outstanding job; they are doing it every day. Excellence and consistency – it is a winning combination. Saudi Hawks The “Saudi Hawks” is the name given by HRH Prince Sultan Crown Prince, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation to a select group of highly skilled RSAF pilots who never cease to amaze us with their outstanding air shows at various events. The Saudi Hawks group consists of six pilots that perform at the national and regional levels, reflecting the highest level of professionalism and competency of the flight and technical RSAF crews. The current team of Saudi Hawks is commanded by Major Abdullah Al-Ghamdi. The other members include: • Major Mohmmed Al-Qahtani. • Major Abdulaziz Al-Azahrani. • Lieutenant Moussa Al-Fifi. • Lieutenant Saeed Al-Shahrani. • Lieutenant Abdulaziz Al-Bollowi. Alsalam Horizons congratulates RSAF for the great success of the Hawks and wishes them continued success in the future. ALSALAM HORIZONS / Issue 9 - May 2010 5 Exhibitions of Alsalam HRH Prince Khalid bin Sultan Visits Alsalam’s Stand the Armed Forces Exhibition for Materials and Spare Parts HRH Prince Khalid bin Sultan, Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General for Military Affairs visited Alsalam stand at the Armed Forces Exhibition of Materials & Spare Parts which was held during 14 Feb. – 18 Feb. 2010. Alsalam’s participation in this exhibition is within the framework of the close ties between the Saudi Armed Forces where Alsalam is dedicated to actively participate in activities sponsored by the Ministry of Defense and Aviation. Based on the solid relationship with the Defense sector, Alsalam had the honor to be the Diamond Sponsor of the Armed Forces Exhibition for Materials and Spare Parts which was held by the Ministry of Defense and Aviation. The exhibition coincides with the establishment of the Alsalam’s new facilities containing workshops for the manufacture and assembly of some parts of military and civil aircraft with a total investment of over SR 150 million. 6 ALSALAM HORIZONS / Issue 9 - May 2010 Salah Al-Faisal Public Relations On this opportunity Alsalam is pleased to congratulate HRH Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Deputy Premier, Minister and Minister of Defense Aviation and Inspector General, and HRH Prince / Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Assistant Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General for Military Affairs and HH Lt. General / Abdulrahman bin Fahad Al-Faisal, the commander of RSAF on the spectacular success of the exhibition. Alsalam Participates in the 2009 Dubai International Air Show For the fourth time in a row, Alsalam Aircraft Company participated in the Dubai International Air Show which is held every two years in Dubai in November. As is the custom, the opening ceremony of the Air Show was officiated by His Highness Sheikh/Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates and Emir of Dubai. During his tour of the exhibitions, he stopped at Alsalam’s booth where he was received by Eng. Mohamed Fallatah, President and CEO. Mr. Fallatah expressed his happiness for the success of the Air Show and informed the Emir that Alsalam is a permanent exhibitor, reflecting the advanced technical capability in the aviation industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia The Air Show is the largest of its kind in terms of quantity and quality. Alsalam’s exhibit, with its unique design, was at the forefront of the exhibition. The company had expanded the area of the chalet to more than double in size compared to 2007. This expansion was necessary to accommodate the large numbers of Alsalam’s guests and visitors. In addition to the heavy traffic in Alsalam’s chalet, it was interesting to note the increased attention of the local, regional, and even global media. Alarabiya, SAMA Dubai, and Dubai TV’s interviewed the President and CEO. Aleqtisadiya Daily Newspaper was there and provided extensive coverage and interviewed Alsalam’s President and CEO. The Egyptian news agency and the Lebanese Defense Magazine were also prersent. The Air Show was an excellent opportunity to meet with like-minded individuals in the field of aviation services from around the world and to exchange views on ways of boosting cooperation in the industry, and to develop ties with potential customers. ALSALAM HORIZONS / Issue 9 - May 2010 7 Visitors of Alsalam His Highness the Commander of Royal Saudi Air Force Visits Alsalam His Highness, the Commander of Royal Saudi Air Force, Lieutenant General/Abdulrahman bin Fahad AlFaisal visited Alsalam on 21 October 2010, accompanied by His Excellency Maj. Gen. pilot/Mohammad bin Mahmoud Azzurri, Chief of RSAF Logistics and Supplies, and His Excellency Major General pilot/Ali bin Saleh Deghaither, Commander of Prince Sultan Airbase, and a number of senior officers of the Royal Saudi Air Force. HR Commander of RSAF and the delegation accompanying him were briefed by Alsalam’s President and CEO on the latest developments of the company, particularly the Air Force projects that the company is working to implement. His Highness and his accompanying delegation conducted a field tour on those projects in addition to a tour of the new facilities for the manufacture and assembly of some parts and components of military and civil aircraft. HH the Commander of RSAF discussed with Alsalam’s senior management issues of common interest and plans to enhance collaboration between the RSAF and Alsalam. 8 ALSALAM HORIZONS / Issue 9 - May 2010 His Excellency the Commander of Saudi Royal Land Forces Visits Alsalam Alsalam was honored by the visit of General Abdul Rahman bin Abdullah Al-Marshad, Commander of the Royal Saudi Land Forces, accompanied by a delegation of senior officers of the Land Forces Aviation Command, led by B.G. Mohammed Bin Hussein Al-Assaf, commander of the Land Forces Aviation Command. The visit was an opportunity for His Excellency and the delegation accompanying him to get acquainted with the latest of Alsalam’s developments and business achievements. The visitors toured the facilities and were satisfied with Alsalam’s abilities in terms of technical workforce and equipment to provide the best aviation services to the Land Forces Aviation Command. At the end of the visit, General Al-Marshad expressed his thanks and appreciation for the warm reception, and urged the delegation accompanying him to take advantage of Alsalam’s expertise and resources. ALSALAM HORIZONS / Issue 9 - May 2010 9 Visitors of Alsalam Deputy Commander of Royal Saudi Air Force Visits Alsalam On January 13 2010 His Excellency Deputy Commander of Royal Saudi Air Force, Major General Pilot / Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Ayesh, accompanied by the commander of Prince Sultan Air Base, Major General Pilot / Ali bin Saleh Al-Deghaither and a number of Air Force officers. Alsalam’s senior management briefed the honorable guests on the progress of the Air Force projects implemented by the company, and in particular work in the C-130 VIP aircraft. M.G. Ayesh and his companion toured Alsalam’s facilities including the new complex. Alsalam’s senior management reassured M.G. Ayesh to make more effort to complete the RSAF projects to the satisfaction of the RSAF and to the highest industry standards. 10 ALSALAM HORIZONS / Issue 9 - May 2010 Chairman and CEO of Boeing Visits Alsalam Alsalam received on 8 March 2010, the most senior official at the Boeing Company, Mr. Jim McNerney Jr., Chairman and CEO of the Boeing Company. Upon arrival the guest was briefed about Alsalam’s capability, achievements, operations, and future plans - followed by a tour to the various Alsalam facilities. At the end of the tour, Mr. McNerney thanked Alsalam’s management for the efforts to further enhance Alsalam’s position and assured them of Boeing’s readiness to provide all aspects of support in this regard. Mr. McNerney was accompanied by Mr. Shephard Hill, President of Boeing International Relations, and Mr. Ahmed Jazzar, President of Boeing Saudi Arabia. Dennis Muilenburg Visits Alsalam Dennis Muilenburg, President and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, visited Alsalam on 13 February 2010. Although this is the third visit of Mr. Muilenburg to Alsalam, it is the first after assuming his new post as President and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. Mr. Muilenburg’s visit to Alsalam is an affirmation of the strategic relationship between Boeing and Alsalam. Mr. Muilenburg thanked Alsalam’s management for the continued effort to further enhance Alsalam’s position and expressed his willingness to offer any support that Boeing is able to provide. ALSALAM HORIZONS / Issue 9 - May 2010 11 Visitors of Alsalam Director of Air Medical Evacuation Visits Alsalam At the invitation of Alsalam Aircraft Company, Major General Hamad Bin Abdulrahman Al-Hassoun, Director, Air Medical Evacuation visited Alsalam on 10 March 2010, accompanied by a group of senior Medical Evacuation staff. M.G. Al-Hassoun received a detailed presentation on Alsalam’s capacities, achievements, and capabilities. The visitors toured the facilities and expressed an interest to continue the excellent cooperation with Alsalam to take advantage of the company’s advanced technical capabilities in the future. Chief of US Training Mission visit on 14 March 2010. SAF delegation visit to Alsalam on 11 January 2010. A Group of Saudi Armed Force Officers, Defense Contracts Department Visiting Alsalam on 27 Oct. 2009 12 ALSALAM HORIZONS / Issue 9 - May 2010 Article اﻟﺘﻮﻗﻴﻊ إﻟﻜﺘﺮوﻧﻴ …õæ©dG ójGR Ö©àe äÉeƒ∏©ªdG á«æ≤J IQGOEG ôjóe ÖfGƒéH ΩɪàgE’G íÑ°UCG IQÉéàdGh ∫ɪYC’G äÉYÉ£b »a Oô£°†ªdGh ™jô°ùdG ™°SƒàdG πX »a É¡FÓª©H ®ÉØàME’G ¿Éª°†d Ék jQƒëe Gk ô``eCG äÉcô°ûdG πÑb øe áeó≤ªdG áeóîdG IAÉØch IOƒ``L √òg »a á©ÑàªdG ájó«∏≤àdG á«dB’G ¿CG ’EG , ø«©bƒàªdG AÓª©dÉH §jôØàdG ΩóY ∂dòc h ø««dÉëdG øe Ék ªFGO âfÉY Iô°TÉÑe AÓª©dG ™e π°UGƒàJ »àdG hCG á«∏NGódG AGƒ°S É¡dɪYCG ô««°ùàd äÉcô°ûdG √òg »a á©ÑàªdG ájQGOE’G äGAGô``LE’G á∏°ù∏°S »a ∞©°†dG á≤∏ëc ɪFGO äôÑàYCG É¡fCG ≈àM Qƒ°üb ¬LGƒJ »àdG πcÉ°ûªdG º¶©e ≈∏Y âÑ∏¨J IójóL á«æ≤J äô¡X ó≤a ≥Ñ°S ɪd áé«àæch . äÉcô°ûdG .É¡dɪYCG ô««°ùJ »a äÉcô°ûdG ∫ƒ∏M OÉéjE’ ô«ÑµdG QhódG É¡«∏Y Ö°üæj ácô°T …CG »a áeƒ¶æªc äÉeƒ∏©ªdG áæ«≤J IQGOEG ¿EG ácô°T »a Éæg äÉeƒ∏©ªdG áæ«≤J IQGOEG πNGO ¬«∏Y πª©dG π©ØdÉH CGóH Ée ƒgh á∏µ°ûªdG √ò¡d ájóée .äGôFÉ£∏d ΩÓ°ùdG á«fhôàµdE’G äÓeÉ©ªdGh πª©dG ô«°S Ωɶf ôjƒ£àd äÉeƒ∏©ªdG áæ«≤J IQGOEG πNGO πª©dG CGóH ó≤dh äÓeÉ©ªdG áaɵd ¬æe IOÉØà°SEÓd ¬æe AÉ¡àfE’G ∫ÉM ™«ªé∏d Gk ôaƒàe ¿ƒµ«°S …òdGh ( Workflow ) ΩɶædG Gòg ¿CG ˆG ¿PEÉH ø«©bƒàe . √ƒëfh IQGOEG ájCG øe áeóN Ö∏W hCG IRÉLE’G Ö∏W πãe ájQGOE’G ΩóYh ó¡édGh âbƒdG ô«aƒJ á«MÉf øe ä’Éée IóY »a ácô°ûdG √òg »a iôÑc ¬∏≤f πµ°ûj ±ƒ°S »a ô«Ñc ô«aƒJ ∂dÉæg ¿ƒµ«°S å«M ájOɪdG á«MÉædG øe ƒg ºgC’G A»°ûdGh , á∏eÉ©e ájCG ´É«°V .QÉÑMC’Gh áYÉÑ£dGh ¥QƒdG ΩGóîà°SG á«fhôàµdE’G áØ°TQC’G Ωɶf ƒgh ¬d …RGƒe ôNBG Ωɶf QÉÑédG ΩɶædG Gòg ™e øeGõàj ¿CG óH’h á«fhôàµdE’G äÓeÉ©ªdGh πª©dG ô«°S Ωɶf ájGóH ™e Ék °†jCG √ôjƒ£J CGóH …òdGh ( Archiving ) äÉYOƒà°ùªdGh ¿RÉîªdG øe äÉMÉ°ùªdG ∂∏J ≈dEG áaÉ°VE’ÉH ∫ɪdGh âbƒdGh ó¡édG Ék °†jCG ôaƒj …òdGh á«fhôàµdE’G áØ°TQC’G Ωɶf ¿EG . áXƒØëªdG äGó∏éªdGh äÉØ∏ªdG ójGõJ ™e âbƒdG Qhôe ™e ™°ùàJ »àdG »a åëÑdGh É¡YÉLôà°SEG ¬«∏Y π¡°ùjh Ék «fhôàµdEG É¡Yƒf ¿Éc ɪ¡e á≤«KƒdG ßØM Ωóîà°ùª∏d í«àj . ábóHh áYô°ùH áXƒØëªdG ≥FÉKƒdG ø«jÓe ™«£à°ùj ∞Xƒe πc ¿EÉa ( Workflow ) á«fhôàµdE’G äÓeÉ©ªdGh πª©dG ô«°S Ωɶæd IOƒ©dÉHh ∞XƒªdG ƒg øe ±ô©jh π°UÉM AGôLEG πc ≈∏Y ±ô©à«d Ék «fhôàµdEG ádƒ¡°S h ô°ùj πµH ¬à∏eÉ©e á©HÉàe ΩóY øeh É¡JGAGôLG áYô°ùH Ék ≤KGh , QÉ°ùØà°S’Gh ∫É°üJ’Gh ´ƒLôdG ¿hO ¿B’G É¡©e πeÉ©àj …òdG ôJƒ«ÑªµdG RÉ¡L ∫ÓN øeh ∞XƒªdG ¿EÉa Ék «eƒj çóëj Ék «M Ók ãe ÉæHô°V GPEGh. É¡æcQ hCG É¡YÉ«°V ,É¡°†aQ hCG IRÉLE’G ∫ƒÑ≤H ¢VƒØªdG ôjóªdG ≈dEG ∂dP ó©H ¬dÉ°SQEGh ¬JRÉLEG Ö∏W Ωó≤j ¿CG ™«£à°ùj ∫ÉM »a ∞XƒªdG ≈dEG hCG ¢VƒØªdG ôjóªdG á≤aGƒe ó©H ájô°ûÑdG OQGƒªdG IQGOEG ≈dEG ∫ƒëàJ ∂dP ó©H IójóL á∏eÉ©e ∂dÉæg ¿CÉH »fhôàµdEG ójôH ¬∏°üj ájô°ûÑdG OQGƒªdG IQGOEG »a ∫hDƒ°ùªdG .¢†aôdG áØ°TQC’G Ωɶæd Iô°TÉÑe ∫ƒëààa É¡bÓZEGh ΩɶædÉH É¡dÉNOEGh É¡©e πeÉ©àj Égó©H É¡«a ô¶ædG êÉàëJ Ωó≤e QÉÑNEG ºàj ∂dP ó©H . âbh …CG »a É¡«dEG ´ƒLôdGh É¡¶Øëd ( Archiving ) á«fhôàµdE’G Ö∏£dG Ωó≤e ™«£à°ùj äGAGô``LE’G √òg πc ∫ÓN »a ,É¡¶ØM ºJh â∏Ñb ób ¬JRÉLEG ¿CÉH Ö∏£dG äÓeÉ©ªdG »bÉH …ôéJ ΩɶædG Gòg ≈∏Yh . ¬Ñ∏£d çóM GPÉeh â∏°Uh øjCG á©HÉàeh Ωɶæ∏d ∫ƒNódG . áYÉÑ£dGh ¥Qƒ∏d áLÉëdG ¿hóH øëfh , ¬«∏Y â∏ªY »àdG äÉcô°ûdG πc »a πª©dG IOƒL »a á«Yƒf á∏≤f ΩɶædG Gòg çóMCG ó≤d ¿ƒµ«°S ácô°ûdG »a πª©dG ô«°Sh äÓeÉ©ªdG πÑ≤à°ùe ¿CÉH ∑Qófh iôf äÉeƒ∏©ªdG á«æ≤J IQGOEG »a äGQGOE’G ô¶àæj …òdG ô«ÑµdG QhódG ≈°ùæf’h , á«dÉY IOƒéHh á«aGôàMG IQƒ°üH 𪩫°Sh Gk ôgÉH πµÑa ÉæØJɵJÉe GPEGh . ΩɶædG Gòg ôjƒ£Jh ìÉéf ≈∏Y πª©dÉH ΩɶædG Gò¡d ø«eóîà°ùªdGh iôNC’G .. (¬JÓeÉ©eh ¥Qƒ∏d Ék YGOh) Ék Ñjôb ∫ƒ≤æ°S á≤K ALSALAM HORIZONS / Issue 9 - May 2010 13 Guest of Alsalam M.G. Ali Saleh Al-Degaither: Prince Sultan Air Base shield for the nation .. The pride of the citizen With each publication, Alsalam Horizons takes the opportunity to interview a prominent military or civil leader. We are pleased to bring to you our interview with Major General Ali bin Saleh Al-Degaither, Commander of Prince Sultan Airbase (PSAB). 14 ALSALAM HORIZONS / Issue 9 - May 2010 Would you please introduce yourself to our readers? • Ali bin Saleh Al-Deghaither. • Born in Al-Kharj in 1/7/1372 H • Married with four children, • Joined the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) on 4/1/1399 H as a lieutenant following graduation from the United States as a T73 Pilot and a Bachelor of Aeronautics. What inspired you to choose a carrier in the military? Were there any other parties that influenced your decision? Choices are often influenced by the surrounding environment and the role of relatives and friends. Many factor influenced my decision to join the military service, including the presence of several military units in Al-Kharj and the good military image reflected by relatives and friends. Would you brief the readers on the different positions you held from graduation to the current post as commander of PSAB? My military career experience transfers across several posts. Following my return from the United States after graduation, I joined the Helicopter Squadron at King Fahad Airbase, Taif. In 1401, I moved to King Faisal Air College to serve with the Helicopter Search and Rescue unit. I moved thereafter to King Abdullah Airbase, Jeddah, to serve with the C-130 unit where I stayed up to 1406. I was transferred to Riyadh Airbase and joined the 16th Squadron, as Fighter Assistant Commander, and then C-130 Aviation Instructor where I accumulated about 7,000 flight hours. In 1415, I was named commander of the 41st Squadron and remained in that post through 1416. From 1416 to1420, I served as commander of the 16th Squadron and then was appointed as Planning and Studies Manager at the Air Transportation Section. From 1424 to 1426, I served as Director of the Air Transportation Section. In 15/8/1426, I was honored by the Royal Decree that named me as PSAB Commander. HRH Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense Aviation and Inspector General, is highly popular and appreciated by the men of the Armed Force men in particular and the Saudi people as well. How do you feel as the Commander of an Airbase named after this highly valued man? It is a real honor to serve as the Commander to the largest airbase in the Middle East bearing the name of HRH Prince Sultan who is well respected by the Saudi people and the armed forces. HRH Prince Sultan, as the pioneer of modern military development, is behind all the achievements and advancements of the Saudi Armed Forces. I was fortunate, as well as my colleagues, to listen to his directives and wisdom which enlightened the way to the military’s success. God bless HRH Prince Sultan and provide him with health and strength under the auspices of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. What are the administrative challenges you face while handling your daily duties as airbase commander and what does it take to overcome such challenges? The airbases are well organized with systems of policies and procedures which spell out the roles, responsibilities, and the working mechanisms. The commander’s responsibilities are devoted primarily to liaisons and leadership. To take advantage of your administrative expertise, what are the ALSALAM HORIZONS / Issue 9 - May 2010 15 Guest of Alsalam administrative principles learned throughout your career? The military sectors follow predetermined plans and programs which are established by the senior officials for the field units to implement and submit results. The commanders are responsible for supervision, follow up, to actively participate in the implementation of plans and programs, and to respond to emergencies. Setting objectives, providing flexibility, supervision, and liaison are some elements of the administrative principles which constitute part of the daily administrative routine. How do you see Alsalam Aircraft Company today as a national capacity in the aviation industry, and what are your present and future expectations on the part of Alsalam? Alsalam Aircraft Company Ltd. is one of the Economic Offset Programs. The company was and is continuing to achieve the Program’s strategic objectives. Alsalam is heading steadily towards becoming a reliable source of aviation services and continues to support the RSAF technical requirements. How do you rate Alsalam’s collaboration 16 ALSALAM HORIZONS / Issue 9 - May 2010 in the projects under your area of responsibility? And what can Alsalam do to further enhance the partnership with RSAF? The collaboration of Alsalam is clear where the company endeavors to support RSAF through the technical support programs. We look forward to the expansion of the technical capacity of Alsalam to provide better support to the various RSAF sectors. There are landmarks in our lives which are linked to specific events that remain etched in memory. On a personal level, what is the most significant landmark in your life? The first and most influential step was my opportunity to study in the United States which has positively impacted my life at the professional and scientific levels. The other landmark is my appointment as commander to PSAB, which is a real honor. Can we know the hobbies and inclinations of Major General Al-Degaither, whether in the field of knowledge, reading, or sports? Sports in general are important, particularly to military personnel, so my first hobby is sports. I exercise almost on a daily basis as a part of my daily schedule. Paragliding is my most favorite hobby. Reading is crucial in this age to stay abreast of daily developments in the many fields of knowledge. Additionally, I enjoy reading books on local culture and keeping up with the news through local newspapers. A society of Alsalam Alsalam Annual Celebration at the Culture Palace in the Diplomatic Quarter The annual staff celebration of Alsalam took place on Tuesday evening, 6 April 2010, at the Culture Palace in the Diplomatic Quarter. Eng. Mohammed Fallatah, President and CEO, briefed the employees on the financial standing and major achievements of the company during 2009, and urged the staff to continue working to raise the company to the highest levels. Alsalam recognized the following employees who have spent twenty years working for the company: Khalid Saleh Al-Mubarak and Ali Mohammed Ali Abdullah. Also recognized were those who com- pleted fifteen, ten, and five years of service. As of 31 December 2009, Alsalam’s total workforce stood at 2744 employees, of which 1509 are Saudis, or 55%. The percentage of Saudization in senior positions accounts for 70%. The Executive Management took this opportunity to offer Alsalam’s many thanks and appreciation to the High Authority for the Development of the city of Riyadh for their approval to conduct the celebration at the Culture Palace in the Diplomatic Quarter. Alsalam Bowling Team Participates in the Almarai League With the full support and encouragement from senior management, Alsalam’s bowling team is participating in the Almarai Bowling Champions League. The league has 12 teams from several different companies. The games will be held on Saturday each week for 26 weeks at the International Bowling Center in Riyadh. The championship is covered by Arab News and Saudi Gazette every Friday and Saturday respectively. The Alsalam team, led by Captain Bader Al-Marshad, is composed of ten players from the various departments of the company. The Alsalam team has chosen the team name: “Strike Force.” Our best wishes to the team. ALSALAM HORIZONS / Issue 9 - May 2010 17