PAF Squadrons History

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No. 24 Squadron

No. 24 EW Squadron was formed in 1962 at PAF Base Peshawar. At that time, it had RB-57F aircraft on its inventory. The squadron was number plated in 1967 after the withdrawal of RB-57 by the USAF. The squadron was revived in 1987, following the induction of two Falcon DA-20 aircraft fitted with modern EW suite. The primary role of the squadron is to provide dedicated ESM and ECM (EW) support to the PAF during both peace and war. The squadron also conducts training of electronics and air defence officers, on the EW concepts, equipment and operational tactics. Most of the maintenance is done at the squadron level, which includes first and second line maintenance, and servicing the EW suite along with major and minor repairs. The data collected through the EW missions is analyzed by electronic warfare officers to evaluate enemy tactics and establish the enemy's electronic order of battle. The squadron participated in various PAF exercises in both ECM and early warning roles. The first major exercise in which the squadron took part was Zarb-e-Momin in 1989, during which twenty-one missions were flown. During exercises High Mark-89, 93, and 95, the squadron flew seventeen, fourteen, and sixty-five missions respectively. Communications and radar jamming was carried out successfully and spoofing was very effective. Also, friendly forces were provided with valuable and timely warning of intruding aircraft. In 1997, during exercise Saffron Bandit, thirty-five missions were flown. In this exercise, the squadron provided ECM training to the pilots and controllers, and almost the entire air force was exposed to the operations under degraded environments. Moreover, lectures covering the capabilities of the DA-20 were also delivered to the participating squadrons. The squadron participated in almost all air defence exercises conducted within the PAF during the last ten years, besides taking part in various joint exercises with the Army and the Navy. In the joint exercises, practice to operate in EW environment was given to the Army and the Navy, and the susceptibility of their equipment to jamming was analyzed. Some of the important exercises included Naval ECM Exercise in 1991, Exercise Skyguard in 1994, Jiddat in 1995, Sea Lion in 1996, and Sea Hawk and jamming of Army Fire Control Radar in 1997. In 1998, jamming was carried out against Sky Guard Radar and LAADS of the Army Air Defence System. The squadron also carried out ESM during Exercise Inspired Alter-94 and 95, and Sea Spark-95, to find out the capabilities of the radar and the tactics used by participating aircraft. The squadron flies extensively to ensure complete coverage on all the enemy exercises. The data collected during these exercises is analyzed to determine the enemy's operating tactics and deployment of assets. Besides, the assets of this squadron form an integral part of trans-frontier photo-recce missions that are carried out from time to time.​

 

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No. 25 Squadron

No 25 Squadron was formed in January 1966 at PAF Base, Sargodha as a tactical fighter unit under the command of Wing Commander M G Tawab, who was later to become the Chief of Air Staff of the Bangladesh Air Force. Being one of the first two fighter squadrons to be equipped with F-6 aircraft the unit was assigned the additional task of converting pilots of other squadrons on the type as well. This task was accomplished speedily and safely and 25 Squadron can be justifiably proud of having converted a large number of the F-6 fighter pilots who later participated in the war of 1971.​

In 1967, No. 25 Squadron pilots took part in the PAF's biggest ever fire power demonstration, staged in honour of the Shah of Iran. In 1968, the squadron presented a formation aerobatics demonstration for Marshal Grechko, defence minister of the USSR. Also in 1968 the unit, under the command of Squadron Leader Imtiaz A Bhatti, won the inter-squadron armament competition. In 1984 the squadron was awarded the best formation trophy in the Pakistan Day fly past.

In the 1971 war, the squadron operated from Sargodha as well as Mianwali, and flew 103 sorties in air defence and for close air support in the Shakargarh area. The squadron was credited with 2 enemy aircraft destroyed and 1 damaged. Flight Lieutenant Javed A Qazi was taking off when the airfield was attacked; he chased and shot down one of the attacking Hunters and was awarded Sitara-i-Juraat. During the operations, the squadron lost one aircraft due to enemy action and the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Shahid Raza was martyred.

In April 1976, the squadron was again assigned the role of training pilots on F-6 aircraft upto operational status. So far the unit has converted over 500 such pilots. In 1980 some FT-6 aircraft were also allotted to the squadron to facilitate its training program.

 

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Viper flyers in one frame ..1990s picture

 

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On 9th September 1993 , a nine-ship F-16 Formation made a farewell flypast over Minhas to say goodbye before departing for Sargodha.

 

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11th squadron Mushaf air base

 

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No. 25 Squadron

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​ No 25 Squadron was formed in January 1966 at PAF Base, Sargodha as a tactical fighter unit under the command of Wing Commander M G Tawab, who was later to become the Chief of Air Staff of the Bangladesh Air Force. Being one of the first two fighter squadrons to be equipped with F-6 aircraft the unit was assigned the additional task of converting pilots of other squadrons on the type as well. This task was accomplished speedily and safely and 25 Squadron can be justifiably proud of having converted a large number of the F-6 fighter pilots who later participated in the war of 1971.​

In 1967, No. 25 Squadron pilots took part in the PAF's biggest ever fire power demonstration, staged in honour of the Shah of Iran. In 1968, the squadron presented a formation aerobatics demonstration for Marshal Grechko, defence minister of the USSR. Also in 1968 the unit, under the command of Squadron Leader Imtiaz A Bhatti, won the inter-squadron armament competition. In 1984 the squadron was awarded the best formation trophy in the Pakistan Day fly past.

In the 1971 war, the squadron operated from Sargodha as well as Mianwali, and flew 103 sorties in air defence and for close air support in the Shakargarh area. The squadron was credited with 2 enemy aircraft destroyed and 1 damaged. Flight Lieutenant Javed A Qazi was taking off when the airfield was attacked; he chased and shot down one of the attacking Hunters and was awarded Sitara-i-Juraat. During the operations, the squadron lost one aircraft due to enemy action and the pilot, Flight Lieutenant Shahid Raza was martyred.

In April 1976, the squadron was again assigned the role of training pilots on F-6 aircraft upto operational status. So far the unit has converted over 500 such pilots. In 1980 some FT-6 aircraft were also allotted to the squadron to facilitate its training program.

The first and only night ground attack squadron of paf during 90s and better part of 2000s
No 27 was raised o later part of 2000s ans F-16 became night capable after 2010 upgrade

 

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First Batch of Star Fighter Pilots ( F-104 ) 1962 Sargodha.
No. 9 Air Superiority Squadron.

 

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Our Legendary Aviators of Squadron No.9 - Pakistan Air Force ; Cecil Chaudhry , Aliuddin

 

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No. 25 Squadron

On 27 August 1986, 25 Squadron was permanently shifted to PAF Base Mianwali to be merged into 14 OCU as the later was nominated to become the third F-16 squadron of the PAF. It was tasked to conduct operational conversion of the graduates of 1 FCU on F-6/FT-6 aircraft. On 17 October 1989, the squadron moved to Sargodha as the re-carpeting of the runway at Mianwali was in progress. The squadron moved back to Mianwali on 30 March 1990. The 31 OCU was the last F-6 conversion course to be graduated by 25 OCU, after which the squadron's assets were withdrawn and allotted to 17 and 23 Squadrons. The last F-6 of the 25 Squadron took-off for Samungli on 9 December 1995. The squadron was relocated at PAF Base Minhas on 25 January 1996. It formed a staging flight for ROSE modified Mirage aircraft. The squadron completed trials on all such aircraft in 1998. These ROSE-I modified aircraft now form part of 7 Squadron and CCS Mirage Squadron. The squadron was re-designated as 25 TA Squadron and assigned the specialist night attack role with effect from March 1997. On 29 September 1998, the first two Mirage-V EF (ROSE-II) aircraft were ferried to Minhas from France. The squadron will become a full-fledged operational squadron as the other ROSE-II aircraft arrive in Pakistan.​

 

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Griffins

 

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Few chosen one..............

 

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No. 26 Squadron

No 26 Squadron was raised on 30th August 1967 under its first Commanding Officer Wing Commander Rehmat Khan, to systematize the operational training of fighter pilots on the F-86. It was originally located at Masroor but later moved to Peshawar with its complement of Sabres. For about ten years it was the only unit of its kind and can proudly claim to have trained over 300 fighter pilots for the PAF. In fact a majority of the present combat force of the PAF was introduced to fighter operations in this squadron which also has the distinction of graduating over 150 trainees from other friendly countries. The squadron participated in the 1971 war under the command of Wing Commander S A Changazi. It flew over three hundred sorties in the air defence, counter air and close air support roles. IAF bases at Srinagar and Awantipura were frequently attacked by the daring pilots of 26 Squadron throughout the war. The unit also flew close support missions in the Chamb and Shakargarh sectors. In addition to hitting the enemy on the ground the Squadron's pilots also challenged him in the air where they destroyed 7 and damaged 2 enemy aircraft. The kills included front line Indian Air Force fighters, some of which were a generation newer than the faithful old Sabres of 26 Squadron. These kills were achieved during classic aerial engagements as well as during pursuit of with drawing enemy fighters. Flight Lieutenant Salim Baig Mirza shot down a Gnat over Srinagar and a Hunter close to Peshawar; both kills were confirmed through target wreckage. Squadron Leader M Aslam Chaudhary flew a total of fifteen missions before he went down fighting valiantly. On 10th December 1971 while leading a section of two F-86Fs on a close support mission in the Chamb sector his flight was attacked by six Indian Air Force Hunters. Totally outnumbered he chose to hold his ground and fight the enemy. In the ensuing combat he was apparently shot down by one of them and was officially declared missing in action. For his courage and devotion to duty he was decorated with Sitara-i-Juraat (posthumous). Flight Lieutenant Fazal Elahi flew intensively during the first two days of the war. He was never daunted and displayed exemplary courage and determination for his young age. On 8th December 1971, while on a close support mission, his aircraft was hit by ground fire which resulted in its disintegration in the air. He was awarded Sitara-i-Juraat posthumously. By the end of the 70s, the Sabre had become obsolete and it became essential to replace the old faithful. In December 1980, the Squadron was reequipped with Chinese-built F-6s, and designated an air superiority squadron. Four years later, the squadron's F-6s were replaced with A-5s and its role changed to a tactical attack squadron. At a solemn ceremony held on 27th April 1982, Mir Ali Ahmed Khan Taipur, the minister of defence, awarded the squadron colour to the unit. The colour has always been a symbol of pride and a reminder to the unit personnel of the high traditions, achievements and sacrifices of their predecessors. The Squadron won three top trophies of the PAF in the year 1985, after converting to A-5 aircraft. These were the Professionals trophy, the flight safety trophy and the command armament trophy.​

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Pilots of No. 26 Squadron - 1972.

Sitting from Left: F/L H.I. Bukhari (late --- died in air crash light aircraft near Rafiqui), S/L S.N.A.Jilani, W/C Shabbir A Syed (late), S/L M. Rafiq, F/L Sarfrazulhaq Malik (late --- died in Syria in an air crash while flying Mig-21)

Standing from L: F/L's Salim Baig, Tariq N Syed, Abdul Basheer Khan, Zahid M. Rasheed, Anwar Ali (late), Arshad Choudhri, Faiz Mehdi




No. 26 Squadron - 1968.

 

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Officers of No. 2 Squadron with their Officer Commanding Wg Cdr Ahsan - 2003.

Pilots of No. 2 Squadron posing for a photograph in their Squadron Tea Bar.

 

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No.9 Sqn at Sargodha 1965;

3rd from right standing, Wg Cdr Middlecoat, 2nd from left sitting AVM Farooq Umar...
https://twitter.com/Daryakh33621789/status/1335210018992496640/photo/1