Saudi, US air forces carry out exercise over Arabian Gulf

Royal Saudi Air Force aircraft and F-15C Eagle fighter jets belonging to the US Air Force flew in formation over the Arabian Gulf yesterday, supported by both Saudi and US air-to-air refueling aircraft.

The aim of the exercise was to continue to strengthen military relations between the two countries. US officials have recently said that there has been a surge in intelligence pointing to Iranian preparations for attacks against US forces and interests in the Gulf region.

In response to those intelligence warnings, the US on May 5 announced it was accelerating the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier battle group to the Gulf region.