HM King patronises opening ceremony of BDF facilities

Marking the 48th anniversary of Bahrain Defence Force (BDF), His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa yesterday patronised the opening ceremony of the Capital Camp, Unified Naval Operations Centre Headquarters and flag hoisting of the 21st Royal Mechanized Infantry Battalion. The event was held in the presence of Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al 

Khalifa. 

HM the King was received upon arrival at the venue by HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, BDF Commander-in-Chief Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Chief of Staff Lt-Gen Dhiab bin Sagr Al Nuaimi and a number of senior BDF officers. 

Following Royal National Anthem, HM the King unveiled the monument to announce the opening of the Capital Camp and the 21st Royal Mechanized Infantry Battalion to mark their accession to the BDF units.

HM the King, then, inaugurated the Unified Naval Operation Centre, which will be under the supervision of the GCC Unified Military Command, as agreed by the Gulf leaders. HM the King was received by GCC Secretary General Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, GCC Chiefs of Staff and marine commanders.

Defence Affairs Minister Lt-Gen Yusuf bin Ahmed Al Jalahma, in his speech on the occasion, welcomed the Royal leadership and took pride in celebrating the 48th BDF Day. 

King Hamad, on the occasion, also decorated a number of BDF servicemen in appreciation of their participation in the Operation Decisive Storm and Operation Restoring Hope within the Saudi-led Arab coalition forces to support legitimacy in Yemen. 

HRH Crown Prince presented HM the King and HRH Prime Minister with commemorative gifts. GCC Sec-Gen also presented a commemorative gift to HM the King. 

Congratulations exchanged

Lauding the key role played by BDF in protecting its hard-won gains, the leadership exchanged congratulatory messages following the inauguration of the BDF facilities. 

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa exchanged cables of congratulations marking the 48th anniversary of the BDF’s establishment. Bahrain leadership also exchanged congratulatory cables with BDF Commander-in-Chief Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa marking the occasion.

HM the King, HRH the Premier and the Crown Prince also received congratulatory messages from Interior Minister Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Defence Affairs Minister Lieutenant General Yussef bin Ahmed bin Hussain Al Jalahma, National Guard Commander Lieutenant General Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa,  Secretary General of the Supreme Defence Council Lieutenant General Shaikh Daij bin Salman Al Khalifa, Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Dhiab bin Saqr Al Nuaimi, Parliament Chairman Ahmed Al Mulla,  Shura Council Chairman Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh and Head of the High Medical Committee and Chairman of the Supreme Health Council Lieutenant General Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa. 

Caption : The PM, HM The King and CP during the ceremony