Prabowo Greets F-16 Pilot Upon Arrival in Jordan
President Prabowo Subianto expressed his gratitude to the pilots of the Royal Jordanian Air Force’s F-16 fighter jets. Prabowo received an escort from the two fighter jets when entering Jordanian airspace on Tuesday evening, February 24, 2026, local time. A similar escort was also provided during Prabowo’s visit to Jordan in April 2025.
One of the F-16 pilots greeted Prabowo via radio communication from inside the cockpit. “Your Excellency, Mr. President, Assalamualaikum warahmatullah. This is Lion One speaking. Your Excellency, on behalf of His Majesty King Abdullah II and the people of Jordan, we are honored to welcome you to Jordanian airspace. It is a great honor to escort your flight this evening. We hope you enjoy your visit and have a safe landing. Ramadan Mubarak, Sir,” said the pilot, quoted from a video statement by the Presidential Secretariat, Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
From inside the presidential aircraft, Prabowo responded to the greeting. Prabowo, wearing a striped shirt, spoke into the microphone. The Head of State expressed his appreciation for the escort in Jordan. “Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, Lion Flight, Indonesia One. This is President Prabowo Subianto from Indonesia,” said Prabowo, introducing himself.
Prabowo then expressed his gratitude to King Abdullah II and the people of Jordan for the welcome. “I am happy to be back in Amman, Jordan,” said Prabowo.
Prabowo arrived at Marka Military Airport, Amman, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at approximately 8:00 PM local time. Upon arrival at Marka Military Airport, Prabowo was greeted directly by the Crown Prince of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II.
In addition, a number of high-ranking officials from both countries also welcomed Prabowo’s arrival. From the Indonesian side, there was the Indonesian Ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Ade Padmo Sarwono, and the Indonesian Defense Attaché to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Colonel Dafris D. Syahruddin.
Meanwhile, a number of officials from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan also welcomed Prabowo. The welcoming ceremony was also marked by the presence of a guard of honor.
President Prabowo is scheduled to meet with the King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, King Abdullah II ibn Al-Hussein, today, Wednesday, February 25, 2026. The bilateral meeting between President Prabowo and King Abdullah II will discuss a number of issues, including strategic cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting is expected to strengthen the partnership between the two countries in the fields of education, defense, religion, regional issues in the Middle East, and support for the Palestinian cause.
Prabowo’s visit to Jordan is his second since he took office as President. When he arrived on a visit to Jordan on April 13, 2025, Prabowo was greeted directly by King Abdullah II at Marka Military Airport, Amman, Jordan. Prabowo was even driven by Abdullah II to the hotel where he was staying.
At that time, Prabowo said that he had been friends with the King of Jordan, Abdullah II, for a long time. The two have known each other since they were young.
It is known that King Abdullah II ascended the throne as King of Jordan in 1999. Meanwhile, Prabowo was inaugurated as President on October 20, 2024.
The King of Jordan and President Prabowo are alumni of the United States Army Ranger School Fort Benning. The two first met on December 4, 1995, at Prabowo’s inauguration as Commander of the Army’s Special Forces (Kopassus).