Egyptian Air Force general pins on at Air Force Security Assistance Center

  • Published
  • By Daryl Mayer
  • Air Force Security Assistance Center
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The Air Force Security Assistance Center played host to a very unique promotion ceremony July 2 when Col. Mohamed Abbas of the Egyptian Air Force was promoted to brigadier general. 

In many ways the ceremony looked like any other.
To most observers, the first indication something was different was when the five-member honor guard team posted both the U.S. and Egyptian flags. 

"As-salamu alaykum," said Brig. Gen. Joseph Reheiser, AFSAC commander, delivering the traditional Arabic greeting meaning "peace be upon you" in his opening remarks. 

"I've never done a promotion for an officer from another country," Gen. Reheiser said. "I'm honored you asked me to officiate today's ceremony." 

In his remarks, Gen. Abbas said he was happy to have the ceremony here with his international partners who are working to keep the capabilities to protect peace and promote stability all over the world. 

Gen. Abbas is a career pilot with experience in Russian-made MiG-15s, MiG-17s, as well as the U.S. F-4 fighter aircraft and has commanded at the squadron and wing level. He previously served in Rome as a military attaché to the Italian government.
As the liaison officer from the Egyptian Air Force here, Gen. Abbas represents his country's interests to AFSAC. 

As the Air Force's foreign military sales portfolio manager, AFSAC is home to liaison officers representing some of the center's more than 90 international partners. 

"It was an honor to play even the smallest of parts in a promotion for General Abbas," said Capt. Jeremey Gingrich, who helped plan and served as emcee for the ceremony. 
"Aside from signifying our respect and esteem at working with Egypt as a foreign partner, on a more personal level, to see Gen. Abbas' pride at his ceremony, to hear his words of love for his family and respect for the Egyptian Air Force, the U.S. Air Force and AFSAC, was quite an honor indeed."