By Thai Newsroom Reporters
IN WHAT was seen as an unprecedented, aerial event, the air force today (Aug.14) commissioned a trio of F-16 fighter jets to give a mid-air greeting for Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul who literally piloted a turboprop civilian plane to visit their Wing 1 air force base in Nakhon Ratchasima.
A couple of F-16 Fighting Falcon jets flanked Socata TBM930 light turboprop business aircraft literally piloted by the prime minister whilst the other jet of the same type flew just above in an aerial formation to safeguard and welcome the special visitor as his plane was cruising over Wing 1 air force base.
Upon landing on the tarmac of the country’s largest air force base, air force chief ACM Seksan Khantha and defence ministerAdul Boonthamcharoen received the prime minister who has obviously had his unique way of travel around the country by flying his private aircraft.
Anutin who personally owns and pilots three light turboprop planes, namely the Brazilian-made Embraer Legacy 600, the US-made Cirrus SR22T and the French-made Socata TBM930, had earlier planned to literally co-pilot a two-seater F-16 jet but were ultimately advised by air marshals against doing so for safety reasons.
Most of the ageing, US-made F-16s currently deployed at Wing 1 in Korat and Wing 4 in Takhli are one-seater combat aircraft bound to be replaced by Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets in the future.
CAPTION:
This and Front Page: Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s turboprop civilian plane flanked by F-16 fighter jets upon arriving at Wing 1 air force base in Nakhon Ratchasima and holding talks with officers there. Photos – Naewna
Earlier report:
Anutin advised against co-piloting F-16 fighter jet
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