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Our Heroes need their identity back

1965


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Wg Cdr. AB Awan (The first Muslim fighter pilot of the subcontinent) in his youth and older age.


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First Muslim Fighter pilot of the subcontinent.....Malik Aizad Baksh Awan.


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13 April, 1948

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Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah With A Group Of Royal Pakistan Air Force Pioneers Risalpur, Nowshera, NWFP, 13 April 1948.

Front Row (L To R) Asghar Hussain, Salahuddin, H Raza, Mrs Perry-Kenne, Asghar Khan, Quaid-e-Azam, A L A Perry-Kenne, Miss Fatima Jinnah, M K Janjua, M Rabb, M A Rabbani.
 
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Sqn Leader Mir Mubariz-uddin Ahmed prior to '65 in Sargodha

Squadron Leader Mir Mubariz-uddin Ahmed (later Air Commodore) in his Rt-33 as OC No 20 Squadron in Sargodha prior to the 65 war . He and his squadron were the unsung heroes who conducted deep reconnaissance missions into Indian airspace with little to no defenses. Rt-33 were notoriously slow unmaneuvrable aircraft given heavy photography equipment. Sqn Ldr Mubariz, while on one of the missions over India encountered 2 Hunters (and a possible Mig 21) , and a dogfight ensued after in which the Hunter started chasing the Rt-33. Sqn Leader Mubariz turned into the Hunter while the hunter was on his tail which was flying at twice the speed of the Rt33 and as the Hunter pulled up to avoid collision, Mubariz made a steep dive to the deck at very low altitudes and miraculously dodged the Indian planes. This should have been an easy kill for the Indians except for the skills of Mubariz who saved the valuable aircraft and his life (and PAFs reputation). On this way back from this mission, had to land in Peshawar as Sargodha was under attack and after he landed, the ground grew noted that the belly of the aircraft had turned green as the aircraft flew low over the fields of Punjab. Sqn Leader Mubariz was later awarded Tumgha i Bisalat for this bravery during the '65 war. As a Group Captain, he served as the Defense Attache to Australia and then was promoted to Air Commodore as the head of Flight Safety at the AHQ. During his tenure as ACAS Flight Safety, PAF broke its own record of lowest accident rates in a crucial period when F16s were being inducted into the PAF in the early 80s. Under his leadership, the culture of safety was implemented and Institute of Air Safety was founded in near Karachi. After PAF, he served in PIA as an executive under Air Marshal Wiqar Azim and later with Air Marshal Azim Daudpota. He passed away in 2013. May Allah provide blessings to his soul.
 
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Pilots of No. 18 Squadron with their Officer Commanding, 1990.


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Officers Of No. 16 Squadron With Their Officer Commanding Wing Commander Mirza Zafar, 1988 (c).

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In 1988, this squadron was stationed at PAF Base Rafiqui, and was equipped with A-5 aircraft. The year was full of operational commitments. In addition to one Flat Out and two Wide Awake Exercises, the squadron carried out the Long Shadow Exercise in February, and Hit Hard-VI, VII and VIII in April, June, and August 1988, respectively. In addition, the Fake-XIV and Shako Exercises were also carried out. The squadron also participated in a Durandal bomb drop exercise at Sonmiani range in December. In the later half of the year, 1 vs. 1 DACT missions were carried out, evaluating the performance of the A-5 against the F-7P in close combat.

In 1989, apart from taking part in Hit Hard exercises, the squadron participated in the Armement Competition. During the Fire Power Demonstration that followed the competition, the squadron carried out level delivery of Mk-82 bombs. During the month of May, five more aircraft were added to the squadron's inventory. In November 1989, the squadron was deployed at PAF Base Farid for Exercise High Mark. At the end of the year, the Inter-Squadron Dive Bombing Competition was held between 16 and 26 Squadrons, which the 16 Squadron won.

During 1990, the squadron carried out one Flat Out and three Wide Awake exercises. Exercise Tondo-II, III, and IV were also carried out. In the middle of the year, the Officer Commanding, Wing Commander Zafar, went to China to carry out evaluation trials in A-5M and F aircraft. The squadron pilots also went to Sargodha to undergo SCUP.

During 1991, three FT-6 aircraft, fitted with Martin Baker seats, were added to the inventory of the squadron. In addition to the exercises Flat Out and Wide Awake, the squadron also participated in Exercise Combat-VI, Sore Eyes-III, and Condor-II. During November, the squadron moved to Multan and during its stay there, it flew 115 sorties with 100 per cent serviceability and reliability.

During 1992, the squadron carried out four Wide Awake and three Flat Out exercises. The squadron also participated in DACT Camp in April and May. In June, Exercise King Cobra was held in which the squadron achieved 100 per cent results. During 1993, in addition to the routine exercises, the squadron carried out DACT in month of May and participated in High Mark Exercise in October. During 1995, the squadron participated in the exercise Saffron Bandit followed by exercise High Mark.

In January 1996, the squadron proceeded to Masroor for air-to-air firing. During this year, three Wide Awake and three Flat Out exercises were also carried out. During 1997, the squadron participated in exercise Fire Fox in March. This was an Air Defence exercise aimed at generating low level tracks for interceptors.

The year 1997 was full of squadron movements. The squadron was deployed twice to Minhas for a DACT Camp, and to Murid and Minhas as the runway of its parent base was being re-carpeted. The squadron was also deployed at Chaklala for ADA duties. The last deployment was at Sargodha for participation in the exercise Saffron Bandit. The squadron also participated in the fly-past on 7 September in connection with Pakistan's Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Besides, the squadron carried out routine Wide Awake and Flat Out exercises. In one of the Wide Awake exercise, the canopy of an A-5 aircraft blew-off in the air, while it was proceeding to the range. The aircraft landed safely at the home base. It was during this year that operations on the Jamurd Range were discontinued as it was handed over to civil authorities.

In April 1998, the squadron participated in exercise Zarb-e-Aahen and exhibited a high standard of professionalism that was appreciated by the Corps Commander who had witnessed the entire exercise. In appreciation of the performance of the squadron pilots, he visited the squadron along with AOC, NAC, Air Vice Marshal Pervaiz Mirza, and presented a memento to the squadron. The squadron was awarded the ACES Trophy for the best performance, from among all tactical attack squadrons, in the year 1997.
 
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Flight Lieutenant Gulfam Soomro shaheed - March 13, 2007.

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F-7 Fighter Aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force crashed in the Kharotabad area near Samungli Air Base, official sources said. Pilot Flight Lieutenant Gulfam Soomro embraced Shahadat in the crash while Pilot Taha suffered injuries. The crash occurred due to technical malfunction.
 
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