RIYADH: Royal Saudi Air Force aircraft and F-15C Eagle fighter jets belonging to the US Air Force flew in formation over the Arabian Gulf Sunday, supported by both Saudi and US air-to-air refueling aircraft. The aim of the exercise was to continue to strengthen military relations between the two countries. US officials have recently said that there has been a surge in intelligence pointing to Iranian preparations for attacks against US forces and interests in the Gulf region. In response to those intelligence warnings, the US on May 5 announced it was accelerating the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier battle group to the Gulf region. It also sent four nuclear-capable B-52 bombers to Qatar and has beefed up its defenses in the region by deploying more Patriot air defense systems.