The event was attended by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and sheikhs, military commanders and officials. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
Complete with paratroopers, helicopters, surveillance aircraft, submarines, fighter jets and ground combat, Union Fortress – an Armed Forces event which included a mock hostage rescue from a ship off Abu Dhabi Corniche – was like something out of a movie. Antonie Robertson / The National
From right: Lt Gen Obaid Al Kaabi, former undersecretary of the Ministry of Defence, Dr Mohamed Saeed Al Badi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon, Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed bin Hamad and Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State, chairman of Masdar and chief executive of Adnoc Group, attend the military exercise. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
As UAE soldiers ‘rescued’ hostages during the exercise, fighter jets flew across the Corniche, in a mock show of strafing targets on the ground. Antonie Robertson / The National
Sheikh Ahmed bin Tahnoon, Chairman of the National Service Authority, second right, and Sheikh Saeed bin Hamdan, third right, attend the military exercise. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
A narrator set the scene for the exercise, explaining the objectives of the display before four paratroopers jumped from an aircraft. Antonie Robertson / The National
From right: Mohamed Ahmad Al Bowardi, Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed, Chairman of the Board of Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs, Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, Chairman of the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi, watch the the Armed Forces put on a show. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
A CH-47 Chinook helicopter circles in front of the crowds on the Corniche after having dropped a special forces team in a low flying manoeuvre. Antonie Robertson / The National
All branches of the Armed Forces participated, including the Quick Reaction Force of the Presidential Guard, supported by the UAE Joint Aviation Command, the Navy, the Air Force, Air Defence and the Army. Antonie Robertson / The National
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, watches the Union Fortress military exercise at the Corniche in the capital yesterday. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, National Security Adviser and Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, and Lt Gen Hamad Al Romaithi, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, were among the other dignitaries who attended the event. Rashed Al Mansoori / Crown Prince Court – Abu Dhabi
Armed Forces Apache helicopter pilots wowed the crowds with their display. Philip Cheung for Crown Prince Court – Abu Dhabi
The Union Fortress military exercise took place on land, sea and air, putting the Armed Forces through a wide range of drills. Philip Cheung for Crown Prince Court – Abu Dhabi
From left: Sheikh Saeed bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, and Lt Gen Hamad Thani Al Romaithi, Chief of Staff, Armed Forces, attend the military exercise. Rashed Al Mansoori / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
Members of the Armed Forces participate in Union Fortress military exercise. Philip Cheung for Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
All branches of the Armed Forces participated, including the Quick Reaction Force of the Presidential Guard, supported by the UAE Joint Aviation Command, the Navy, the Air Force, Air Defence and the Army. Philip Cheung for Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
Members of the Armed Forces participate in Union Fortress military exercise. Philip Cheung for Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
Jet fighters soared across the skies and tanks rolled along the beaches to the delight of the thousands who turned out for the largest military spectacle yet seen in the UAE. Philip Cheung for Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
Members of the Armed Forces participate in Union Fortress military exercise. Philip Cheung for Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
Complete with paratroopers, helicopters, surveillance aircraft, submarines, fighter jets and ground combat, Union Fortress – an Armed Forces event which included a mock hostage rescue from a ship off Abu Dhabi Corniche – was like something out of a movie. Hamad Al Kaabi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
Jet fighters soared across the skies and tanks rolled along the beaches to the delight of the thousands who turned out for the largest military spectacle yet seen in the UAE.
• UAE military forces show might at Union Fortress display