The Bequests

[skiesdweller]

It's not about glamour it’s about guts.

1 | Solo | Form my childhood I was attracted to aeroplanes of all kinds, largely due to family. My Grandfather was US Navy Pilot shot down over Vietnam.

My father was an Aviator with USAF and has flown B-52 Stratofortress and presently a successful airlines company CEO and Chairman. Now it was my turn. They say Fighter Pilots are not born, they are built and this is place where they make them Naval Air Station Kingsville

The Advanced flight training starts with a 900 page manual of F/A 18 he first Fighter Jet I will qualify on. Here we have already done our Introductory flight screening (IFS)

and Primary flight training. It also includes Centrifuge tests which simulates the conditions of stress and gravity inside fighter aircraft. The tighter the turn, harder the gravity pushes on him,  which in technically called pulling Gs. And fighter jets do it more brutally than any machine on earth At 2G a 200 pound man can easily feel twice his weight. Take it upto 5g and the flight suit feels like 1000 pounds of lead. Once you start pulling Gs its like bench pressing your chest, everything is pulling down and its very hard to breathe. Under G load blood drains from the head and pools in the legs leading to tunnel vision or verse G lock i.e G induced loss of consciousness. Survival depends on mastering the Anti G Straining Manoeuvre, the trick is - tense the leg and stomach muscle so as to prevent the blood from hitting south.  And to breathe in short quick burst. Abs tight, but tight and lift yourself from the seat. The G suite that I was introduced too basically had bladders in thigh muscle and abdomen which inflate under G forces at varying pressure to squish your lower extremities to keep the blood in your head. But for centrifuge test, the suit will not inflate, I need to prove that I can sustain high G forces completely on my own. I had to complete a series of tests culminating in 8Gs for 15 long seconds. My turn I witnessed the heavy pressure and pull, it was difficult to breathe but I heard be “aggressive.. be aggressive” clearly and altered my pace likewise. When I finished it I was already a little white but I passed it. Good Stuff, the instructor commented. Two veteran pilots lost the test. One at 8 seconds and the most experience at 14 seconds. So being a pilot is no guarantee you will qualify. So Mike lost by just one second, its harsh but it would be fatal in F/A 18  rushing towards ground at hundreds of miles an hour. It took Mike 3 seconds to recover but that threes seconds is the time a fighter pilot does not have, especially if he supersonic. It could mean entering in enemy territory, getting shot by sam for failure to evade, or crashing. None of which is acceptable. Mike will have another shot at this test. I was in for my next challenge. The Seat from hell. The Fighter pilot’s ticket to survival. In a F/A 18  it is Martin-Baker Mk.14 NACES (Naval Aircrew Ejection Seat ). These seats are fitted in 200 fixed-wing and rotary types with the most recent being the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II programme.

A pilot is snared in belts and buckles, four straps for the leg another six for the torso, pin a pilot to the seat during violent manoeuvres. They also prevent him from being torn apart if he has to eject. The Ejection seat may be a pilot’s lifeline but it will be most violent and terrifying rescue imaginable. Pilot and seat literally explode out of airplane, when they are clear, another charge blows the seat belts and deploys the parachute. It all happens in just two seconds. One of my greatest fears was having to parachute in open waters and its is critical to know exactly what to do in first few seconds after hitting the war. So as test I had get free from the harness after been thrown into Olympic pool before I get to pulled to the pool. Then get out from under the canopy before it pulls me under. 

It was easy in the pool but imagine it in freezing Atlantic water. At this point everything I do is making life and death decisions automatic. After learning to survive and passing this phase and before spending time in a real cockpit of F/A 18 I will have to spend hours in simulator. Instructors throwing emergency after emergency, while I struggle to keep up, but eventually these procedures will be seared into my brain. While others went for Lunch one day I made a beeline for an open cockpit. I was going to save sitting in fighter aircraft for my first flight but there was too much to know. At the top of my list were critical emergencies that require a pilot to react instantly, the so called RED PAGES. In a machine as complex as F/A 18,  failures are inevitable. Red Pages emergencies are inherently fatal. Things like Engine Fire that will cripple the jet; A fuel leak, Landing gear failure or a cockpit that suddenly fills with smoke, blinding the Pilot. Better to know where the switch is, if a lot has to think before acting in these situations, he will be hole in ground before he remembers the answer because if you are in supersonic fighter the question is not if the trouble will find you but when. In a life of fighter pilot there are no secrets, even if there is, there is always a witness. Every time a fighter aircraft leaves the ground the mission is tapped. The Heads up Display or HUD shows the pilot things like Speed, Altitude and G Forces. Everything a pilot sees is recorded and everything he says. Also my ride I discovered I had a companion, a computer one, and soon discovered that fighter pilots call it bitching Betty. More common are the troubles that a pilot runs into when he pushes the jet too far. The same traits that make fighter jets agile and manoeuvrable also make them extremely twitchy   When they are driven to the limit. Once the plane looses control it will not be safe to control it until it reaches certain speed in situation where the plane does not reach that speed, all a pilot can do is take hands off the controls and wait, it’s ultimate faith and belief in a machine. The instructor talking about his experience when he recovered 2000 ft above ground and 3 seconds from oblivion. His HUD was a case study. This is the stuff we live for. Living life on the edge. Anyone can shoot bullets, but only few can call themfselves fighter pilots. The first test was pushing all of us Aviators to the limit. Last minute brushing up of details, sleep deprivation, stress. Unlike other exams in this exam the pass mark is 100%. For instructors demanding perfection is not unreasonable, it’s personal. After having cleared the test and surfing three weeks, it was time for some celebrations No G suites today, instead, I was siting up for our official welcoming party. Being a fighter pilot isn’t a job, It’s Life Walking through Air Worthiness check of F/A 18, every Pilot must know by heart. There are 155 checks before one even climbs into cockpit. When you sign on to fly jets it means a life time of sacrifice. Suiting up for F/A 18, is like gearing up for super bowl, it makes everything else you have flown seem like training wheels. And it was about to happen the first flight in Fighter Aircraft, but first I had to prove I have memorised the external safety checks, all 155 of them. Covering Everything from mechanical to animal. Then there are another 194 cockpit checks. As I climbed up the cockpit ladder, I was feeling a soft breeze behind my neck, a feeling of something important about to happen, a feeling one cannot imagine.After 194 checks, I had to 76 more checks before I even started the engine. And starting the engines involves 45 more, I felt I could get old waiting around for this. An Experienced Fighter pilot can knock off the whole work in under 5 minutes. Student Naval Aviators like me usually take three quarters of an hour. I took 38 minutes on my first and It was situation where I could not afford to make a mistake. My instructor in back seat is watching like a hawk. And Upfront the Heads Up Display (HUD) tape is recording every move I make and everything I say. “ All Set, 222 Taking Off my” first ever Fighter Callsign on a Fighter Aircraft. “Show me your Stuff man” The Air Controller replied to my information.”  Pressing the throttle forward, this was the moment I have been waiting all my life. As the afterburners lit the tarmac up. “Nozzles Good , 100 Knots and takeoff”

“Good Job” The instructor sitting behind me said as the wheels left the tarmac. “All’s Up regain 220” Right away I was expected to master the basics. “I will try a roll” And I did.. Yeehaa..I could not control my excitement. “I’m gonna do one more.” My instructor just laughed. Rolls, Climbs, Stall Even though I was getting the most thrilling experience of my life, instructors were looking for discipline and level headed guy which is required in combat and it was just business for us. But at this stage, flying is an easy part, for an inexperienced pilot bringing an F/A 18 back to earth is the most dangerous and difficult part of the flight. For  44 years F/A 18 has proven its ability in combat theatres around the world. And it is dual engine plane, only experienced pilots gets to touch them and qualified ones get to fly them. It is whole lot different than F-16, but in hands a SNA  ( Naval Aviator) on windy day it can also be treacherous. On the HUD on the left was the E bracket which tells the pilot, plane’s angle on landing, how high the nose is, E bracket helps insure a smooth landing.  I landed a little harder than my instructor would have liked but I got it done without drama, and completed it successfully. After very flight there is a debriefing. This course is marathon and we athletes/ pilots have just begun our race. There are never enough serviceable jets and never enough time. One of the exercise I did was practise engine restart, the drill is straightforward, shutdown one engine, accelerate to 350 knots and relight it, at that speed air is driving the compressor like a windmill, so when the engine is reignited the turbines are moving fast enough to blow the heated air out of exhaust. If You fly too slow in this exercise, the hot air blast will be trapped and engine will overheat. Two cadets made a mistake, Mike was flying too slow so he had to do emergency landing with only one engine. The engine was unhinged and taken to sick bay for inspection, luckily for Mark, it did not suffer any damage. For Tim his missioned was cancelled as he dropped his ball pen into cockpit. That 10 pence plastic could jeopardise the entire flight safety, so the plane was rotunded till the pen was found. That means somebody else does not get to fly, due to Tim’s mistake. So around here we have rule, one pilot’s mistake is everyone’s lesson. Time for Solo flight, for pilots, they count their flying hours, for me this was hour one, minute one for a solo flight. “Alright Nose and Wheel Sten is up. I’m good to go” “Cleared to Take Off” Came the reply. That was what we had all prepared for Solo Sortie “EGT, Fuel Flow Nozzle, oil is good, Going to burner, Here we go Lift off” And I was wheels up in the climb “Gear flags up, 220” “Eat your heart out..this is fucking awesome”..I commented up in air. It was my first solo flight, at 20000 Feet. If anything goes wrong help I long far away.The Mission went smoothly I did all the patterns I had to complete and pulled in a little extra and landed safely. Right before Thunderstorms filled the sky. Flight Tradition Dictates that the a Pilot goes solo, he earns himself a callsign - a nickname that symbolises his identity. Squadron tradition demands a well stocked bar and well used gun barrel from nose of a jet. Getting a call sign is like Christening there it was “Hammer” and I had no say in it, and it was decided by mob rule by Instructors. Only in movies you get cool callusing like “Maverick” and “Iceman” here In this batch I was lucky.  

[aprudentmogul]

This will by my main, please follow ! 

[sunsetquotes]

Before you find your soul mate, first you must discover your soul.

Charles Glassman (via sunsetquotes)

[serialgourmet]

Please give @aprudentmogul a follow! Fantastic writer all the way around and a dear friend!

[aprudentmogul]

Thank you, my kind friend. 

[serialgourmet]

Hello there.

Serialgourmet here, also known as Clarkson to many.

This is my primary blog, but I have many various muses. I write in several different fandoms and voice parody accounts and also many original characters as well.

I am new to tumblr rp, so please be patient as I navigate a very different platform.

If you enjoy horror, Star Wars, sci-fi, Issac Asimov, noir, mafia, comedy, or if you just want to connect with a friendly writer, please feel free to send a message. I look forward to writing with you all!

#hannibal #hanniballecter #horrorrp #roleplay #swrp #oc #scifi #rp

[aprudentmogul]

A Friend in Need

I was attending to daily matters of UAE when my cellphone lit with the number of a batchmate and bunk mate at Sandhurst, Abraham Mohamed Dileita He was son of the Former Prime Minister of Djibouti, Mohamed Dileita. I wasted no time in answering the call and even without waiting for a greeting, greeted Abraham. To my surprise it was his wife on other end. “Your Excellency I’m Begum Zuma , Abraham’s wife and I’m calling you in distress, Abraham said if someone can help him it’s you, he is behind bars. ”

She said in a single breath and I was quick to reply, “ Hie Zuma, please tell me in detail what happened to Abraham  and where exactly he is, I promise you I will get him out one way or another.”

My tone was unwavering and crisp, I meant every word I said, this was not a politician’s promise this was word of a Prince of Abu Dhabi. 

“Abraham was visiting United States, Los Angeles on a trip to meet his  sister who is there with her family, but then someone attacked her on September 20th, and assaulted her physically. Abraham true to his spirit intervened, found that guy and in a fight that lasted, killed the person accidentally. He was charged with first degree murder and is in Twin Towers Correctional Facility, Los Angeles. I don’t what to do, I have already sought help from Djibouti Embassy there and provided for a lawyer but Abraham has refused plea deal and is ready for trial. I found your number in his cellphone and remembered that you were a his roomate can you please help Abraham, I’m begging you ?”

I listened carefully to every word she said and then replied. “ I will call the Attorney General of US and also the Secretary of State and will find out more details and how exactly can I help him. From what I gather he killed a person who attacked his sister but since it was not at the same time, it becomes premeditated murder. Be in touch and inform me of any developments.”

I picked up the fixed line and dialled up the The UAE Ambassador to Washington, Yousef Al Otaiba and asked him to get moving and talk with both State Secretary and Attorney General and what are our options. The Ambassador was my friend and knew me well, he promised me to do all he could.

Waiting by my phone anxious about Abraham I received a call from the Ambassador. “ Your Highness,  the person Abraham killed was a crook but also informant of Drug Enforcement Agency in Gulf Cartel , so the government is not in much mood to negotiate, but after three rounds of talk they agreed to plea bargain of ten years with a chance of payroll after 5. I think five years is good enough deal. For what the mess it has created, DEA has obstructed the diplomatic efforts and reminded us that Abraham is a Djibouti, citizen and not UAE citizen.” I thanked the Ambassador for his efforts and asked him to keep me posted. Within minutes I dialled Zuma back and informed her of the deal but what she said next did make me nervous, she said if the person belonged to Cartel, they might kill Abraham in jail so it was not in best interest that he be left in US Prison and again asked me to do something. “ Where are you currently ?” I enquired from her and found out she was in Djibouti, “Could you fly to Abu Dhabi, I will send my plane to you and I can talk a way to get him released. Travel with your whole family.” She agreed to be here with parents-in law. I asked The UAE Presidential Flight to send an Airbus A 320 to her and UAE Embassy in Djibouti to process her paperwork. It was done within hours and the flight reached there in nine hours. She was brought to Abu Dhabi and directly to Al Bateen Palace. I shook her hands and and asked about her well being. She was naturally nervous. I informed her that I was exploring all possible routes to ensure Abraham’s freedom, but the biggest impediment being he was not UAE citizen. After she had lunch along with her parents-in-law, in which I joined her, I kept on thinking about how to secure the release of Abraham,I had a plan.

“Zuma, I think I know how to get him out, Djibouti allows dual citizenship and What i ask you is fill in forms to accept UAE Citizenship, for yourself, your husband and your parents-in-law. I will make sure it is from back date and once you sign those forms, Abraham will be an UAE Citizen and I can intervene officially. This way you keep your Djibouti passports and get a new one from UAE. The Only challenge being was getting Abraham’s fingerprint in digital index, which I will arrange”

Zuma stood up thanked me, so did her parents, the Former Prime Minister now out of power. She immediately agreed to signing all firms. I called upon my father, His Majesty President and asked him to issue citizenship to Abraham and his family through Presidential Order.  For him it was a minuscule task and he instructed to issue the Royal Decree first to imbibe them as subjects of Abu Dhabi and then followed Emirati Citizenship.

I walked up to Zuma’s chambers in the Palace and informed her that she, her parents and Abraham were given citizenship with effect from 2016. Though their passports will be issued from 2017. I told her my next plan. When Abraham’s lawyer will visit him next he will carry a finger print scanner a special document. After Abraham will give his finger print and sign the document, it will declare that he was Advisor to Ministry of Defence, UAE and hence will hold a full diplomatic immunity.

She was pleased with the idea. Next day after securing the necessary details from Abraham, The Embassy of UAE in Washington filled for diplomatic Immunity in State Department, while I talked with Secretary of State over phone, who convinced me that he will get the President to sign the executive order. It took two days and Abraham was finally released on pretext of The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961. All The US DEA could do was to force State Department declare him persona non grata as a face saving. They did try to hold but in end they did.  Abraham was in Abu Dhabi by the weekend. United with his family. He thanked me and I reminded him how he saved my ass at Sandhurst after I messed up a task. This was a true Eid gift for him and me. Abraham said that I was his friend in need and reaffirmed that he was mine.

For me my friends are more important than any criminal. I don’t care about criminals life. Just that of my friends.

[aprudentmogul]

The Worthy

It was 5 in the morning a single hand stretched outside the blanket on the king sized bed to pick up the receiver of a golden telephone, laying next to side table at the head of the luxurious bed. Pressing the red button on the phone, he pulled the receiver inside the blanket and spoke as after two rings someone on the other end picked up- “Send me tea, please!” The receiver was placed back on the set. Exactly five minutes later a person entered with tea dates and fruits, every thing was laid on a ready to use bed table. The sleepy man, who was now awake thanked the attendant and sipped his tea as he helped with setting the bed table. It was the routine of Zayed to wake up at sunrise, drink his milk tea an acquired taste in the UK, and then get freshen up for the day. As soon as he sipped on his tea, the phone at the side table rang, and a red green led blinked continuously, Zayed was fast to pick up the receiver. “ Zayed get dressed, we need to leave in thirty minuted. ” Before he could reply the person hung up. Zayed knew the voice too well, it was of his father, in one of the many few instances he talked directly without an intermediary, also reflected how close The President of UAE was with Zayed. It took him fifteen minutes by watch to get ready and dressed up in traditional Arabic clothes, he put up a gold badge which has the national emblem of UAE. He waited for his father by the portico of the Place, as soon as he arrived Zayed greeted him. The President’s Mercedes S-600 drove up to portico of Al Bateen Palace along with Presidential Guards and Zayed both boarded it. Zayed sat in his his attire and noticed even The President was wearing traditional, both their minds worked alike. President of UAE  gave him a golden iPad which had a document open. After reading it Zayed understood the reason of this early morning visit. The official convoy was escorting them, it was too early for news reporters, who mostly were foreigners, to gather the scent of this visit. It took an hour and twenty minutes to reach their destination Khalifa Port . As their convoy came to a halt, Zayed saw officers from The United Arab Emirates Navy securing the port. Both got down and walked towards an Admiral of Navy that was present with his Commanders. Zayed spotted a friend, a fellow Vice Admiral and asked him-“ What is inside the cargo that made the President himself visit?” His reply shocked Zayed who immediately asked another- “Is it secured ?” to which the young officer replied in affirmative. His Majesty Sheikh Mohammed asked loudly-“How long can we keep it secret?” to which the Admiral made a general statement but was not able to give a clear picture. “Zayed, what do you propose we do?” This was more of a test and less of counsel by His Majesty. “Your Majesty we should immediately inform the  His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud , Saudi Arabia and US President and The Military Attache here in Abu Dhabi about the content and where it was headed to.” -spoke Zayed “Don’t you think we would be escalating the situation in Persian Gulf ? ”- His Excellency President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan cross examined him. “Yes You Highness but, Iran had already sabotaged our vessels in Fujairah,   we should take a stand for the safety in the region. This will be a huge blow to them strategically and a win for us, we will hand it over to UN or USA as the case may be. ”-Zayed replied humbly. President had already made up his mind. “Wake up the King Slaman of Suadi Arabia  and US President, get the communicator.” Two people rushed with a briefcase that has a big receiver when open and lot of buttons, it was the portable secure line communicator Head of states carry everywhere. Weapons Grade Nuclear fissile material was found on board a cargo ship which had Iran’s flag and registration, it had wandered into UAE naval waters when a fast attack craft of UAE Navy intercepted it and took it in custody. It was five in morning in Washington when US President was woken up and informed about the situation. Immediately the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense US, left for UAE.  Zayed had entered the very elite group of people who  Emir trusted, not even the Deputy PMs  knew about this at the moment. They will though later be made aware. “ We are going to have long day, Zayed. ” The President remarked patting his back. Zayed decision to do right by everyone and world by large and take a stand against an enemy for greater good of everyone had impressed his father. Leaders are not made in a day. It takes, lot of time. Zayed was not in a hurry to be the next Emir of Abu Dhabi or Next President but his views were worthy of being one.

[aprudentmogul]

Operation Hermes

I was attending to general state matters, having a cup of Arabian coffee, when a senior cabinet minister ran with a cordless phone in his hand towards me, urging for an audience which I instantly approved, he said someone from US Government wanted to speak with me urgently.  I took the receiver from him and spoke. It was CIA’s Director on the line. “Hello Mr Vaughn Bishop, This is unusual call? “ “Your Excellency, Minister of Defence, Prince Zayed, I have a situation and need your help…” He pleaded. He Stated. “Call me Zayed, and go on, I’m listening” The CIA and NSA of US used to call on UAE from time to time. “ We had sent a recon unit to Yemen, particularly in South Yemen, port of Aden , you know Houthi’s controls the port, we had picked up ballistic missiles signals and were there to confirm presence of a medium range ballistic missile that could be used against UAE or Even Saudi Arabia. Our Team has been taking a lot of fire from Houthi Rebels backed by Iran. Currently we have deployed a Gunship but that is proving ineffective, three of our Apache have been shot down by Houthis. We need urgent intervention. I interrupted him “ What are Saudi’s saying ?” “They are insisting that they have the area under control and there are no rebels there, but I have specific Intel. I want your help, Can UAE help in their rescue? Please” “ As much as I want to help you, you need to understand that engaging with Saudi Controlled area in Yemen and Probably Government forces are present, there, you want me to act against the coalition, if I’m to believe that somehow this Ballistic missile is in hands of Yemen Government and not the Houthis that you are talking about. The Aden Port is under Yemen Government control  but is being contested by Houthis through Iran’s help and if CIA Agents are taking fire it is from rebel forces in Yemeni Government who are sympathetic to the cause  and probably some Major General of Saudi Arabia who has been paid off And You want me to act against them?” This surprised them, I had up to date intel on the matter. “ You know I cannot confirm this, but we need help” “ What exactly do you want me to do? Send some troops in, Special Forces to rescue your men ??” I was not very happy with the idea but I was more sarcastic in my my comment. “We would appreciate a show of air superiority and close air support” The CIA Director was clear in his mind. I was restless “ Let me get this straight, you want me to order UAE F-16s to fly in Yemen Controlled Air Space unauthorised and then engage with Yemeni Forces who control the port ? Do you even know what are you asking ? What if Saudi Arabia decides to shoot down on our planes?” “ We will back you, We will ask Saudis to stand down. An attack on UAE will be considered an Attack on US , we will send our fleet, but this won’t happen, it is an Intelligence war.” He tried to logic with me, I had to take a decision before it was too late to act. “ The President’s orders are clear there cannot be deployment of F-16s  without his approval and he is undergoing treatment in Paris at this point. I would not like to disturb him….” I was explaining my point ..I heard another voice “ Prince, This is Director of National Intelligence, Smith, we need you to help us, please.” When the Director of NI  interrupted me, which I hated to.. but I dis assure him “..I did not say I would not help you..Director Smith, the help will reach them just wait and watch. Now let me make few phone phone calls. Send me the coordinates” I interrupted him back. I rushed inside and called the Air Vice Marshal, giving him a direct order, insisting to fly certain aircrafts to them as close ground support. In eight minutes the aircraft were Enroute to the coordinates, while I was having a live feed from Airforce headquarters, NCS and NI was also online. As the US Team was retaliating to gun fire, the Infrared cameras caught them and initiated a bombing on Yemeni Forces, the eight Mirage 2000 had given a fast and quick response neutralising the enemy fire and inflicting a damage that would take time, they had twenty five minute window before Royal Saudi Air Force intercepted them, they had done their jobs and were ordered back, in next ten minutes a C-130J Transport Aircraft of UAE  made an unauthorised landing at the spot and the UAE Presidential Guards Special Forces extracted all members of US Team, they were airborne in next ten minutes. The Captain of C-130 J mission gave a green signal and the Team Leader of US CIA was on line. Agent Miller, thanked UAE and informed that entire team was on board. I invited the team to Abu Dhabi to get health checkup done. No no-one will speak about this operation in public, there will denials from US, UAE and Saudi Arabia. It was named Hermes in US Secret Files.

CIA Was happy, DNI was happy. Without breaking or dishonouring my father’s orders, I still managed to save US Lives, anything for a friend, they say, I stood by the words. This has written a new paragraph in US-UAE  strategic relations. “Director Smith, we will appreciate your help in delivering those costal radars for maritime command and control ...” I could not hold my laugh back. “We will be expediting our delivery Prince Zayed, we see you are a good administrator.” His bold action as Minister of Defence.  The Links went down with smiles on all sides ,30 minutes later US Team was admitted to hospital in Abu Dhabi and American Ambassador rushed to complete their paperwork and formalities so that they can be issued Visa for their stay. Well it was just a formality. I had a cup of coffee with US ambassador to UAE, later that evening, after visiting the brave US Team.  

[aprudentmogul]

The Royal Pardon

That was a long journey Zayed undertook. It had been over three days since Zayed left the USA, he was finally home in Abu Dhabi, seated in Al Bateen Palace’s rooftop porch he was watching Arabian Gulf while one of the massage experts he had called from India, was giving him feet massage. His iPad was placed on a bed-top table which was carved with ivory . He was going through official mails to Crown Prince Court (CPC), or the Diwan as it is locally known, which is an independent entity that enjoys full legal status as a government body. It was established in 1976 and mandated to support His Highness Sheikh  Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, in carrying out his national and international duties. CPC facilitates interactions between the Crown Prince and citizens of the UAE through general correspondence, the hearing of individual concerns and the identification of solutions, and manages the public affairs of the Crown Prince, including his involvement in corporate and philanthropic projects. In his capacity as Chairman of Crown Prince Court, Sheikh Zayed bin Rashid oversees CPC’s general policy and follows up on execution of His Highness the Crown Prince’s directives. His Highness also holds many other governmental positions, such as being Vice Chairman of ‘Abu Dhabi Executive Council’, Chairman of the ‘Complaints and Grievances Committee’ and Member of the ‘Supreme Petroleum Council’. Browsing through the mammoth amount of mails his randomly selected few mails, one which he opened had picture of a small girl around seven to eight years in age. The mail had attachment with a pic of handwritten note of the girl whose name was Anna, it read “Dear Crown Prince, Please release my father who is in your jail since eleven months. A daughter needs her father. -Anna” The mail was written by her mother who explained the case. Her husband, Thomas Smith  was from Edinburg, UK who was working as photoshoot consultant in Abu Dhabi and was arrested as he got into fight with Abu Dhabi  Police over use of Drone for Photo. He was charged with ‘illegal possession of sensitive documents’ but his case was pending for trial in court  of appeals, criminal circuit and he was in custody since then at Sweihan Jail Abu Dhabi.  The matter was a misunderstanding and he had already spent eleven months in prison. Zayed picked up the fixed line and asked the operator to connect to Director General of Prisons. In few seconds the call was through and a nervous DG Prisons greeted the  Prince and asked for what his instructions were, to which Zayed enquired about this specific prisoner Thomas Smith who was in Central Prison, and instructed him to release him immediately The DG  assured the Prince that he would be released in an hour’s time. Zayed thanked the DG and went to reply on the mail. “ Dea Anna, I’m sorry that we kept you away from your father for so long, I seek your forgiveness. I have instructed for his release. Plus I’m sending three tickets with an invitation letter to you your brother & your mother so that you all can meet your father. Sheikh Zayed bin Rashid Al Nahyan Chairman,Crown Prince Court. Emirate of Abu Dhabi “ Zayed then called his office and let them sent the invite and tickets through his office which was done instantly. Two days later at a private ceremony held at headquarters of Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters, in which Zayed was present, the ex-prisoner Thomas Smith was given a letter of pardon granted by the Emir and saw the reunion of Thomas with his family. That was an emotionally charged atmosphere where he met the little girl Anna and his brother Adam even took selfies with them. This was usual routine for the Crown Prince to pardon prisoners. Zayed sought granted exclusive pardon Thomas. In the Event he was seen carrying Anna and Adam on his shoulders and dancing to arabic tunes. The gentle side in Zayed was not public until that day where Zayed was playing around with his little friend Anna, the eight year old girl from England whose letter got his father a pardon.

[aprudentmogul]

Royal Reunion

Memories, and nostalgia are emotions that would aptly describe his seven hours journey to United Arab Emirates from United Kingdom. Both the countries were very similar and very distinct in many ways. Both had Monarchies and both had love for tradition, but besides that everything differed, the United Arab Emirates is not ruled by a single monarch, in fact the government of UAE is Elected through Proportional representation (PR) but the electorate consists only of Emirs that is Kings and Members of Royal Family. The subjects or citizens are dual citizens, one of the Emirate what you can all state and one of UAE, the country. While they are free to elect members to Municipal government, they do not elect the President, PM or other ministers. He knew all this very well, and held a firm belief that the muslim ummah grows radicalised if not contained by law. Though UAE was much free than other Gulf or Middle East countries, you can drink, you can go to nightclubs, party on beach, wear bikini, and live together without marrying, women can drive, vote and even become central ministers and Municipal leaders, work in law enforcement, judiciary and own and operate businesses without any bar. Every region needs a specific from of governance there is no one size fits all rule here. Especially to a community that is know to have an affinity to radicalisation and violence. Discipline. Well he had just spoken strongly on it in London in Oxford Union Society, why the monarchy can’t give way to democracy in Middle East. In a way, he had strengthened the position of many in the region and this will be widely published in newspapers around this region, even anyone cared to look. The Aircraft made the touchdown, at the Tarmac, being a pilot himself, he just judged the softness of landing by the pilot, everyone judges people in their profession or passion, he was victim to same mindset.  Abu Dhabi the city in which Abraham spent his childhood, memories filled him as he landed at Abu Dhabi International Airport. It had been six years since he left it. When the Etihad Airways Aircraft came to a halt, all seemed perfect at first. He was ready for the time in the Emirate but there was a commotion at the exit gate, the head of hostess crew was talking to someone, looking very shocked while another air hostess was announcing to the passengers to remain seated for security reasons. Few American citizens started to panic, well they were in Middle-East, in an unknown country, travelling first time and there was a security issue? Anybody would freak out. But UAE was no Syria or Afghanistan, Abraham knew this peaceful country. He was in first class apartment or suit when the designated head flight attendant asked him to de-board through the lower deck gate, as he walked with the attendant he noticed people giving him stares. He would just smile, he knew what they were thinking, a brown skinned guy, in traditional Arabic clothes being escorted by flight attended while others could not due to security issues..was he a terrorist?

Even if people did not say the word but he could read their faces. He did not mind it this time, the fear was genuine, he forgave them all..in his mind. As soon as he got down, the people from aircraft and the ground staff saw him being surrounded by people in uniform, UAE Presidential Guard and Abu Dhabi Police with there CAR 816/Sultan Rifles; he was curtained around so that there was a perimeter set, as they took him to a military black SUV parked at some distance. People could not see clearly what was going on but as he sat the sirens and beacons became lit and all three vehicles left the airport. Only after the last vehicle vanished into the roads of Abu Dhabi were passenger allowed to de-board. They were talking that he must be a fugitive, few people went ahead and branded him an extremist but the blow came from a middle aged guy who was wearing military fatigues said he must be a terrorist..there he said it. Many nodded, nobody rebuked.

The vehicles carrying Abraham headed to an area with heavy police and military presence, as the vehicles entered the giant gates, Abraham looked outside as he tried to remember the place..The SUV in which he was came to a halt. Few people in a different colour of uniform, rushed to the vehicles with guns in hand, one of them with shining stars on his epaulets opened the door. Abraham walked out looking around..this place still mesmerised him. Walking from portico to inside, he was greeted by a man dressed in traditional attire who escorted him through several closed door and finally to a golden door,as he entered the golden gate, the man escorting him closed from outside as Abraham walked in spreading his arms wide he walked fast and hugged the man in front “Abba” , Father, he said. A man in silver hair and aged look hugged him Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan hugged his son, in fatherly embrace..“Abraham, my son, I have waited so long for you to return. Now Allah grants me this blessing.” They sat and talked. Abraham, or Sheik Abraham Al Nahyan was in his ancestral Al Bateen Palace with his father, the President of United Arab Emirates and Emir of Abu Dhabi [ Ruler]. It was his homecoming. Prince of Abu Dhabi had returned. But this was a journey that had just started.

[aprudentmogul]

Who is Abraham? And Where Is He From ?

HRH Sheikh Abraham bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the Prince of Abu Dhabi and Sheikh of Al Dhafra and second in line to the throne of Abu Dhabi, the biggest and wealthiest emirate of United Arab Emirates. He is currently serving as Minister of Presidential  Affairs, Trade and Commerce of United Arab Emirates. (At Country/ National Level) HH Sheikh Abraham Al Nahyan is also the Vice Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council.( At State / Emirate level ) He is the Chairman of Crown Prince Court  (CPC) or the Diwan of Abu Dhabi  which is an independent entity that enjoys full legal status as a government body which is established to to help the Crown Prince, who is elder brother of Abraham in carrying out his national and international duties. CPC facilitates interactions between the Crown Prince and citizens of the UAE through general correspondence, the hearing of individual concerns and the identification of solutions, and manages the public affairs of the Crown Prince, including his involvement in corporate and philanthropic projects. Sheikh Abraham is President’s Special Envoy on Trade and Commerce to all international organisations, including WTO, OIC, EU, Commonwealth and UN Abraham has been moving steadily towards achieving UAE’s development goals through flexible strategies that set the country apart, allowing it to overcome the challenges and turn the changes witnessed by the region and the world today into meaningful opportunities through his resolve and determination of his colleagues and seniors in Cabinet leadership, and the dedication and loyalty of its people, who remain the core of the country’s priorities, and the main pillar of its development and prosperity. Abraham with a reported personal wealth of over $25 billion USD, ownership of multiple aviation firms like Etihad, Emirates and Abu Dhabi Aviation and media outlets both news and entertainment, ownership of real estate, energy,  mineral, oil and gas companies world wide.  It would be safe to say that HH Sheikh Abraham Al Nahyan is incredibly powerful, if by powerful you mean influential. He is the number two in Abu Dhabi after the Crown Prince. Due to ill health of President of UAE, Crown Prince deals with day to day matters of Administration, but decisions on behalf of President of UAE and Emir of Abu Dhabi are administered by Presidential Affairs Minster, meaning Abraham. He has also been given the Ministry of Trade and Commerce with a viewpoint and vision to secure, strengthen and promote trade & commerce with other counties. Abraham is heavily involved with totally voluntary charities, humanitarian work, ethical business and art, Sheikh Abraham Al Nahyan has amassed a very powerful and influential following and backing from several of the Middle Eastern Royal families. He has close working relationships with the Royal families of Dubai, Sharjah, Kuwait, Qatar, United Kingdom, Jordan, Morocco. Kingdom of  Saudi Arabia, Spain, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Morocco, Oman as well as good relationships with many governments around the world including  US, UK, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany And is the only Middle East Prince to have visited Israel and was instrumental in signing of Abraham Accords that paved the way for normalisation of ties with Israel. Sheikh Abraham Al Nahyan is one of the most popular Sheikhs amongst the everyday people, controls 97% of Middle Eastern Petroleum Distribution and Mineral Industries and and owns all types of large business from Oil and Refineries, Law, Politics, Financial, Licensing to Media houses and Aviation and Shipping companies, so it would be fair to say he is one of the most influential and powerful men in the world. He has appeared in the list of most influential people for the past 6 years running. Over 12 years management experience and administrative experience. Author of a published thesis on alternative economic reform which led to the certification of a DBA in 2015, an accomplished entrepreneur, pilot, photographer, equestrian, champion of ethical and humanitarian business. Educated in an array of disciplines such as economics, finance, mathematics, languages, law, education and business, thus creating a platform of in depth knowledge which facilitates global business acumen. Such diversity of academic interest led to the research and publication of a research paper into International Conflict Resolution which was utilised and archives by Cambridge University, North Arizona University and City Link University. He has studied in Eton College where he took commerce, history and geography. Following Abraham landed a coveted spot at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where he enjoyed an impressive innings as fighter pilot, which is one of the hardest and most challenging roles to secure in the military and requires an insane amount of skill.  Abraham had donated $240 million for construction of Zayed Building ( in honour of the founding father of UAE, HRH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan ) in Royal Military Academy Sandhurst which was inaugurated by President of UAE, Emir of Abu Dhabi, his father, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.Rounded off his studies at the University of Oxford with MBA in Finance from Saïd Business School  The United Arab Emirates, sometimes simply called the Emirates is a country in Western Asia at the southeast end of the Arabian Peninsula on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman to the east and Saudi Arabia to the south and west, as well as sharing maritime borders with Qatar to the west and Iran to the north. The sovereign constitutional monarchy is a federation of seven emirates consisting of Abu Dhabi (which serves as the capital), Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain. Their boundaries are complex, with numerous enclaves within the various emirates. Each emirate is governed by a ruler; together, they jointly form the Federal Supreme Council. One of the rulers serves as the President of the United Arab Emirates, which traditionally is Emir of Abu Dhabi.