Crew members view an A-29 Super Tucano airplane at a ceremony at the Lebanese Air Force (LAF) Hamat base, north of Beirut, capital of Lebanon, on Oct. 31, 2017. A ceremony was held Tuesday at the Lebanese Air Force (LAF) Hamat base where the Lebanese Air Force received from the United States two A-29 Super Tucano airplanes. (Xinhua)
BEIRUT, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- A ceremony was held Tuesday at the Lebanese Air Force (LAF) Hamat base where the Lebanese Air Force received from the United States two A-29 Super Tucano aircraft.
The ceremony was attended by Lebanese Army Commander General Joseph Aoun, the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon Elizabeth Richard and the U.S. Air force Central Commander General Jeffrey Harrigian.
Richard expressed in a speech her country's commitment to continue supporting Lebanon's armed forces to enable it protecting the sovereignty and integrity of its territories.
"The two A-29 Super Tucanos are the first of six that will be delivered over the next several months. The A-29's advanced technology provides the LAF with precision guided munitions and advanced precision strike capability," she said.
The ambassador stressed the LAF will be able to conduct joint combined arms maneuvers with A-29 aircraft in all conditions, day and night, in a way that greatly reduces the risk of collateral damage and the danger to non-combatants.
She also highlighted the partnership between the two armies, noting over the last decade, the U.S. government has invested over 1.5 billion U.S. dollars in training and equipment, and has trained over 32,000 Lebanese troops.
Meanwhile, General Aoun described the relation between Lebanon and the United States as being in a new era of cooperation.
"It is a new era that holds a lot of significance and meanings: firstly, the will of the United States to continue providing qualitative support to the Lebanese Armed Forces; secondly, the trust of the armed forces in protecting Lebanon; thirdly, the commitment of the United States to preserve Lebanon's stability during crisis and events in an unstable region," he said.
