A Saudi man suspected in the 1996 terrorist bombing of the Khobar Towers military housing facility at Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, has been arrested. Ahmed al-Mughassil, who since 2001 has been a suspect in the bombing and the head of the military wing of Saudi Hezbollah, was captured in Beiruit and transferred to Riyadh, the Associated Press reported. The June 25, 1996, attack killed 19 airmen and wounded 372 others. In the attack, members of Saudi Hizbollah parked a fuel truck near the eight-story housing complex for members of the Air Force’s 4404th Wing (Provisional). Al-Mughassil was first indicted in 2001 on charges, such as murder of federal employees and bombing resulting in death. Twelve others were named in the charges, and none have been brought to court. Following the attack, the Air Force moved to Prince Sultan Air Base near Riyadh. The 1996 attack was the largest bombing of a US military base abroad since the 1983 bombing of a marine barracks in Beirut, which killed 241 American troops, along with 58 French paratroopers and six civilians. (See also Fallout from Khobar Towers from the September 1997 issue of Air Force Magazine.)
Skunk Works Uncrewed NGAS Concept Gets New Attention
Nov. 9, 2024
An artist’s rendering of a Lockheed Martin Skunk Works concept for a potential stealthy and autonomous Next-Generation Air-refueling System (NGAS) aircraft is getting new attention after a repeat display at the recent Airlift/Tanker Association meeting.