Tinker aids Royal Saudi Air Force in critical E-3 repair

Published March 28, 2008
By Brandice J. Armstrong
72nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- An important U.S. Air Force ally arrived at Tinker March 24 to test fly and collect their newly repaired E-3.
   The Royal Saudi Air Force's 6th Flying Wing brought an impaired E-3 to Tinker Feb. 28. After the 566th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron's E-3 Maintenance Flight replaces a bearing between the rotodome and aircraft, the 6th Flying Wing's crew will test fly and return the aircraft back to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
   "We don't expect this to be the last aircraft to come for repairs," said Lt. Col. Gerry Kolaski of the U.S. Military Training Mission, the U.S. organization that advises the RSAF from Eskan Village in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. "We continue to support the Saudis to maintain mutual trust and understanding as allies. It's in both of our interests to maintain a close working relationship like this repair effort."
   Tinker sustains the RSAF Peace Sentinel fleet -- E-3A and KE-3A aircraft through a Letter of Offer and Acceptance and the 557th Aircraft Sustainment Squadron's Mid East Support.
   Saudi Arabian aircraft purchased from the United States are managed through the Department of Defense's Foreign Military Sales program, which aids the purchase of defense equipment, services and military training to foreign governments, according to an Internet encyclopedia.
The 557th ACSS/GFIAB Mid East Support provides engineering support, technical support, manages technical data and provides program management said Dana G. Hall, chief of Mid East Support.
   "Saudi Arabia is the strongest ally in the Middle East," Mr. Hall said. "The sale of AWACS to Saudi Arabia enhances our vital security interest by contributing directly to the stability and security from the Persian Gulf through the Middle East to North Africa."
   The U.S.-Saudi Arabian military relationship began as early as 1945 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt met with King Abdul Aziz aboard the USS Quincy on the Great Bitter Lake in the Suez Canal, Egypt, to discuss U.S.-Saudi military cooperation. The U.S. Military Training Mission has been in the kingdom since 1953. The RSAF has been flying the U.S.-built AWACS since 1986, Colonel Kolaski said.
   In the past seven months, Tinker has repaired two RSAF E-3s. The last one arrived in August for the realignment of the Radar and Identification Friend or Foe antenna, which is vital to an AWACS operation, Mr. Hall said.