Page 86 - Royal Jordanian Air Force Book

H O W I T A L L STA RT E D ROYA L FA M I LY A N D T H E A I R FO R C E

ROYAL FAMILY AND THE AIR FORCE

THE VISION, THE INSPIRATION

HIS MAJESTY KING ABDULLAH I

His Majesty King Abdullah I (founder of the Hashemite Kingdom
of Jordan) always recognised the importance of air power and it is
through his efforts the Royal Jordanian Air Force came into being.

The King had personal and strong connections with the British
Royal Air Force and was made an honorary RAF Air Commodore
by the British in 1940 with a ceremonial parade at RAF Amman,
which included a flypast by No 6 Squadron from RAF Station,
Ramleh. The motto in Arabic on the badge of No 14 Squadron RAF
is influenced by the Holy Koran "I spread my wings and keep my
promise" which was suggested by the King and still remains on
the squadron badge.

The King also presented his Royal Standard to No 6 Squadron RAF
in November 1950.

On July 19, 1951, His Majesty presented the first wings to
Jordanian pilots and proudly proclaimed: "From this desert we
have built a kingdom, a nation, where men are born to be free,
and you are my falcons who will guard the skies above it. This is a
proud day for me to see the first of our own young men qualifying
as pilots, ready to serve side by side with our army, the Arab
Legion."

Jordan suffered a grievous blow when King Abdullah was
assassinated the next day in Jerusalem.

ROYAL JORDANIAN AIR FORCE 85