RSAF Patch Tng Royal Saudi Air Force King Faisal Air Academy Training b

RSAF Patch Royal Saudi Air Force King Faisal Air Academy Pilot Training Cessna 172 Strikemaster 1968 Riyadh AB Al Kharj AB British Made Embroidered on twill merrowed edge 120mm by 99mm four and eleven sixteenth inches by three and seven eighth inches.

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King Faisal Air Academy was activated at Riyadh Air Base in April 1968 with its flying training Squadrons based at Al Kharj Air Base south east of Riyadh. KFAA combined officer training with flying training in one course with the course undertaking in English as much of the equipment is from the US and the UK. The course was administered by British instructors under contract to British Aircraft Corporation later British Aerospace Bae under the Magic Carpet programme. Intensive English language training flying theory ground school and Officer Cadet training was carried out at KFAA headquarters at Riyadh AB with elementary basic and advanced fighter lead in flying training was undertaken at Al Kharj AB with 8 Squadron with Cessna 172 elementary flying training aircraft 9 and 11 Squadrons with BAC 167 Strikemaster Mk 80 jet basic flying training and light attack counter insurgency COIN aircraft before selection for fast jet multi engine or rotary wing advanced flying training with transport and F 15 Eagle pilots deployed to the US for advanced training.

8 Squadron equipped with Cessna 172 aircraft provided cadets with initial flying training. 9 and 11 Squadrons were initially equipped with BAC 167 Strikemaster Mk 80 jet basic flying training and light attack counter insurgency COIN aircraft under the Magic Carpet programme with the UK. The Squadrons were primarily tasked with advanced and fighter lead in jet pilot training fighter weapons and strike attack training for cadets who has successfully completed primary training. The Squadrons with their Strikemasters had a secondary role of strike attack and counter insurgency COIN in the event of hostilities. The Strikemaster Mk 80 had an uprated engine a strengthened airframe and wing hard points for a variety of munitions.

9 Squadrons reequipped with PC 9 training aircraft in 1985 and its secondary strike attack and counter insurgency COIN role was reassigned to the Hawk Mk 65 Squadrons activated in 1987. 8 Squadron added a number of PAC Super Mushshak flying training aircraft to its fleet in 1987. 22 Squadron was activated with PC 9 aircraft following 11 Squadrons transition to Hawk Mk 65 aircraft in 1987.

The KKAA emblem was changed in 1992 when RSAF decided to standardise unit logos and to remove the depictions of living creatures on RSAF emblems as not in accordance with Islamic scripture. Riyadh AB was redesignated King Khaled Air Base Riyadh and Al Kharg AB redesignated to Prince Sultan Air Base PSAB Al Kharj in 1999 when all RSAF air bases were named after members of the Saudi Royal family. RSAF also introduced its Wing system to control and support base Squadrons with 1 Wing established at KKAB Riyadh and 6 Wing at PSAB Al Kharj however KKAA was not allocated to a Wing and remained a separate unit at the bases.

8 Squadron replaced its Cessna 172 and PAC Super Mushshak aircraft with Cirrus SR22T basic trainers in 2013 and 9 Squadron commenced upgrading to PC 21 advanced trainer aircraft to provide basic advanced and fighter lead in training for pilots and weapon systems officers in June 2014.

RSAF aircraft technicians were trained by British instructors under contract to British Aircraft Corporation later British Aerospace as part of the support package under the Magic Carpet programme at the Royal Saudi Air Force Technical Studies Institute at Dhahran AB established in 1968.

This patch dates from 1968.