As Exercise Cobra Warrior kicked off, I had the opportunity to speak with Lieutenant Colonel Faisal, Deputy Detachment Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force group.
He discussed the significance of this exercise for Saudi Arabia, the historical relationship between the Kingdom and the United Kingdom, and the benefits of training in a different and challenging environment.
Lieutenant Colonel Faisal began by highlighting the warm reception from the Royal Air Force and the deep-rooted ties between the two nations:
“First of all, let me thank our colleagues in the Royal Air Force for the warm welcoming and generosity that they’ve shown us. We felt right at home. I think our presence today here [represents] historical relationships between the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
He also underscored the months of planning that both air forces invested in aligning systems and enhancing coordination:
“We’ve been planning a lot through the past months, just to align our…systems and to enhance our coordinations between the Royal Saudi Air Force and the Royal Air Force.”
Highlighting his anticipation for the exercise, Faisal expressed enthusiasm for the opportunities it offers:
“Looking forward to [starting] the Cobra Warrior 25 and I think it’s going to be great. I think seeing…all of the participants working hand in hand, flying…wingtip, [and] gain[ing] a lot of knowledge, and exchanging that knowledge is really important in our field.”
Asked about the difference in flying conditions compared to those at home, Faisal noted how exercising in the UK provides valuable exposure to complex scenarios:
“I think the main point of coming here is just to experience different environments, and I think also our colleagues at the Royal Air Force [are] doing [a] great job making the environment quite challenging and complex, to push our limitations and to gain as much as we can from [the] experience. It’s quite different than home…”
Such environments, he suggested, are essential for developing skills that can be applied back in Saudi Arabia, ensuring that both air forces expand their operational understanding and can collaborate more effectively in the future.
As the exercise unfolds, Lieutenant Colonel Faisal’s eagerness for ‘Cobra Warrior 25’ reflects the Royal Saudi Air Force’s commitment to strengthening ties with the Royal Air Force and other participating nations.
The challenging environment, coupled with months of preparation and mutual respect, promises a wealth of knowledge exchange and practical experience—all of which will bolster both nations’ readiness for future missions and deepen an already longstanding partnership.
Presumably might be an opportunity for debrief on the RAF missions to strike the Hootie capabilities in Yemen if not done already, since the Saudi/Yemen conflict Operation Restoring Hope is ongoing.
Perhaps there are differences in what F15SA and Typhoon can do..
Perhaps there are interoperability learnings from RAF working with US ISTAR support, assuming that continues because free trade remains a US national interest..
Tempest would make a fine replacement for those old F15’s…. just sayin !