Grand Mosque of Makkah Utilizes Advanced Systems for Year-Round Climate Control

The General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque in Saudi Arabia employs sophisticated technology to regulate temperatures within the Grand Mosque in Makkah throughout the year. (SPA)
The General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque in Saudi Arabia employs sophisticated technology to regulate temperatures within the Grand Mosque in Makkah throughout the year. (SPA)
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Grand Mosque of Makkah Utilizes Advanced Systems for Year-Round Climate Control

The General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque in Saudi Arabia employs sophisticated technology to regulate temperatures within the Grand Mosque in Makkah throughout the year. (SPA)
The General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque in Saudi Arabia employs sophisticated technology to regulate temperatures within the Grand Mosque in Makkah throughout the year. (SPA)

The General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque in Saudi Arabia employs sophisticated technology to regulate temperatures within the Grand Mosque in Makkah throughout the year, ensuring a comfortable and healthy environment for worshippers regardless of the scorching summer heat or cool winter temperatures.
The internal temperature is meticulously adjusted based on external conditions, targeting a comfortable range between 20 and 24 degrees Celsius. During the summer months, all air handling units (AHUs) operate at peak efficiency to maintain this ideal range. Conversely, winter sees a significant reduction in AHU usage due to the naturally cooler climate.
Fresh air is drawn from the Grand Mosque's rooftop and undergoes a multi-stage purification process. High-performance filters effectively eliminate dust particles and other microscopic contaminants. Additionally, ultraviolet sterilization effectively combats bacteria and germs, which guarantees clean and healthy air circulation throughout the prayer halls.
The General Administration for Operation and Maintenance at the authority plays a crucial role. Teams of highly skilled Saudi engineers and technicians continuously monitor temperature regulation, maintain humidity levels, and ensure the operation of all systems.
Technicians manage airflow throughout the Grand Mosque, adapting to fluctuating visitor numbers and density, ensuring optimal thermal comfort while maintaining energy efficiency. Maintenance procedures also adhere to strict technical guidelines and safety protocols, guaranteeing the well-being of all visitors.



World War II Sergeant Whose Plane Was Shot Down over Germany Honored with Reburial in California

This 1944 photo provided by Honoring Our Fallen shows WWII veteran US Army Air Force Tech. Sgt. Donald V. Banta from Los Angeles. Banta, 21, was killed in action in early 1944 when his plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire over Gotha, Germany. On Thursday, July 25, 2024 community members lined the roads to honor Banta as he was brought from Ontario International Airport in southern California to a burial home. (Honoring Our Fallen via AP)
This 1944 photo provided by Honoring Our Fallen shows WWII veteran US Army Air Force Tech. Sgt. Donald V. Banta from Los Angeles. Banta, 21, was killed in action in early 1944 when his plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire over Gotha, Germany. On Thursday, July 25, 2024 community members lined the roads to honor Banta as he was brought from Ontario International Airport in southern California to a burial home. (Honoring Our Fallen via AP)
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World War II Sergeant Whose Plane Was Shot Down over Germany Honored with Reburial in California

This 1944 photo provided by Honoring Our Fallen shows WWII veteran US Army Air Force Tech. Sgt. Donald V. Banta from Los Angeles. Banta, 21, was killed in action in early 1944 when his plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire over Gotha, Germany. On Thursday, July 25, 2024 community members lined the roads to honor Banta as he was brought from Ontario International Airport in southern California to a burial home. (Honoring Our Fallen via AP)
This 1944 photo provided by Honoring Our Fallen shows WWII veteran US Army Air Force Tech. Sgt. Donald V. Banta from Los Angeles. Banta, 21, was killed in action in early 1944 when his plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire over Gotha, Germany. On Thursday, July 25, 2024 community members lined the roads to honor Banta as he was brought from Ontario International Airport in southern California to a burial home. (Honoring Our Fallen via AP)

After 80 years, a World War II sergeant killed in Germany has returned home to California.

On Thursday, community members lined the roads to honor US Army Air Force Tech. Sgt. Donald V. Banta as he was brought from Ontario International Airport to a burial home in Riverside, California, The AP reported.

Banta, 21, was killed in action in early 1944 when his plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire over Gotha, Germany, according to Honoring Our Fallen, an organization that provides support to families of fallen military and first responders.

One of the surviving crewmembers saw the plane was on fire, then fell in a steep dive before exploding on the ground. After the crash, German troops buried the remains of one soldier at a local cemetery, while the other six crewmembers, including Banta, were unaccounted for.

Banta was married and had four sisters and a brother. He joined the military because of his older brother Floyd Jack Banta, who searched for Donald Banta his whole life but passed away before he was found.

Donald Banta's niece was present at the planeside honors ceremony at the Ontario airport coordinated by Honoring Our Fallen.

The remains from the plane crash were initially recovered in 1952, but they could not be identified at the time and were buried in Belgium. Banta was accounted for Sept. 26, 2023, following efforts by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency within the US Department of Defense and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System.