President Donald Trump received a rare display of military honor as six Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 fighter jets escorted Air Force One into Riyadh, showcasing the kingdom’s military might and signaling strong bilateral relations.
At a Glance
- Six Saudi F-15 fighter jets provided an exceptional escort for Air Force One as President Trump arrived in Riyadh
- The Royal Saudi Air Force possesses the world’s second-largest F-15 fleet after the U.S. Air Force
- White House officials shared videos of the rare military honor on social media
- Trump was greeted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and began a three-nation Middle East tour
- The presidential delegation includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
Dramatic Aerial Welcome
The Saudi government rolled out an exceptional welcome for President Donald Trump as he arrived in Riyadh. Six Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 fighter jets took to the skies to provide an escort for Air Force One as it entered Saudi airspace. The fighter jets flanked the presidential aircraft in close formation for approximately 30 minutes as it made its approach to King Khalid International Airport, creating a striking display of diplomatic courtesy that has rarely been witnessed in presidential travels.
Margo Martin, a White House official, captured and shared video footage of the aerial escort, highlighting the significance of the moment. “Saudi F-15’s providing honorary escort for Air Force One!” Martin noted in her social media post. Dan Scavino, Trump’s deputy chief of staff, also documented the rare military honor, expressing appreciation to the Saudi forces for “having President Trump’s back” as they approached the Saudi capital.
Air Force One about to go wheels down in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with Saudi F-15 fighter jets bringing us in. On behalf of President Trump, THANK YOU! 🇺🇸🇸🇦 https://t.co/UDzPyylyF8 pic.twitter.com/Nd6DnRGtZD
— Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) May 13, 2025
Saudi Arabia’s Military Display
The escort provided by the Saudi air force was particularly significant as the kingdom operates the largest fleet of F-15 fighter jets outside the United States Air Force. This display not only served as a ceremonial welcome but also subtly demonstrated Saudi Arabia’s military capabilities and the strong defense relationship between the two nations. Journalists aboard Air Force One reported that the fighter jets flew “in close proximity” to the presidential aircraft, creating an impressive visual spectacle over the desert landscape.
“Thank you for the escort, and having President Trump’s back—We all appreciate it. See you on the ground shortly, THANK YOU!!!”, said Dan Scavino.Â
Upon landing at King Khalid International Airport, President Trump was formally received by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The streets of Riyadh were decorated with American flags, and mobile billboards advertising the new Disney Abu Dhabi theme park lined the routes, reflecting both diplomatic courtesy and commercial ties between the nations. Following the airport welcome, Trump participated in a traditional coffee ceremony held in an indoor meeting space.
#VIDEO: Saudi fighter jets escort US President Trump’s plane ahead of its landing in Riyadh. #TrumpInKSA pic.twitter.com/BRYck0mgsd
— Saudi Gazette (@Saudi_Gazette) May 13, 2025
Strategic Middle East Tour
The Saudi Arabia visit marks the first leg of Trump’s three-nation Middle East tour, which will also include stops in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The presidential delegation includes several key administration officials: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. This high-level delegation underscores the strategic importance the administration places on strengthening ties with key Middle Eastern allies.
Trump’s schedule in Saudi Arabia includes a major speech at an investor forum featuring prominent technology leaders including Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Sam Altman. Following these business engagements, the president will attend a state dinner hosted by Saudi officials. The visit appears primarily focused on economic diplomacy, with particular emphasis on attracting Saudi investments to the United States. The elaborate welcome suggests Saudi Arabia places high value on its relationship with the Trump administration.
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