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Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi appointed, on Wednesday, Major-General Mohamed Hegazy Abdel-Mawgoud as the new Commander of the Air Defense Forces, Presidency Spokesperson Bassam Rady announced in a statement, Daily News Egypt reported.
Former Commander of the Air Defense Forces, Ali Fahmy, was appointed as the president’s advisor for military affairs, the statement added.
Hegazy was born on 11 November 1963. He graduated from the Air Defense College in July 1986. During his career, Hegazy received various decorations and held several senior positions in the military.
According to the Ministry of Defense, he attained all Air Defense qualification courses, and received a MA in Military Sciences from the Command and Staff College. He also took advanced courses at the Nasser Higher Military Academy Course. He held all command posts up to the 8th Air Defense Division Commander.
Hegazy’s medals and decorations include the Long Service and Good Exemplary Medal, the 25th January Revolution Medal, the First Class Military Duty Decoration, the Excellent Service Decoration, the 30th June Revolution Medal, and the Air Defense Forces Golden Jubilee Medal.
The Air Defense Forces comprise anti-aircraft artillery, missile units, radar, and warning systems.
The Air Defense Force played great role in the 1973 War against Israel, preventing Israeli fighter planes from crossing the Suez Canal, which allowed the Egyptian army to destroy the Bar Lev line and liberate the Sinai Peninsula.
