Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Pakistani-American US Navyâs crack flyer
WASHINGTON: Commodore Muhammad Muzzafar F Khan has become the first Pakistani-American to take command of an operational aviation squadron in the US Navy.
He took charge of the Sea Control Squadron (VS) 31 during a ceremony held at sea aboard USS John C Stennis last month, currently deployed to the US 5th Fleet area of operations, says an official press release.
âI am absolutely thrilled and honoured to be placed in that position of stewardship. Itâs an honour and a tremendous feeling,â Khan said. As a child in Pakistan, Khan grew up around aviation. His father served in the Pakistan Air Force for 21 years and then flew commercial planes for the next 24 years. Not only does Khan fly jet planes almost daily near his native Pakistan, but also now commands an aviation squadron responsible for six aircraft and over 200 personnel. His younger brother has also followed his example joining the US Navy as a P-3 pilot, and is currently stationed in Whidbey Island, Washington state.
In 2004, Khan was selected to enter the command-at-sea pipeline and became VS 31âs executive officer shortly thereafter. Khan was competing for one of two spots against 32 candidates, he recalls. Khan is flying missions over Afghanistan. He said, âAs far as the mission is concerned, I hope and wish the same things I wish for my fellow Americans. I hope thereâs peace. I hope thereâs stability. I hope for all people in the region that they can go to the market as freely as I can and let their children play on the street or get a job and be able to provide for their family. That is what my hope is - that in the end there will be stability and everyone will be able to enjoy the same freedoms that I enjoy in the United States.â
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\05\story_5-6-2007_pg7_13
Pakistani-American US Navyâs crack flyer
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WASHINGTON: Commodore Muhammad Muzzafar F Khan has become the first Pakistani-American to take command of an operational aviation squadron in the US Navy.
He took charge of the Sea Control Squadron (VS) 31 during a ceremony held at sea aboard USS John C Stennis last month, currently deployed to the US 5th Fleet area of operations, says an official press release.
âI am absolutely thrilled and honoured to be placed in that position of stewardship. Itâs an honour and a tremendous feeling,â Khan said. As a child in Pakistan, Khan grew up around aviation. His father served in the Pakistan Air Force for 21 years and then flew commercial planes for the next 24 years. Not only does Khan fly jet planes almost daily near his native Pakistan, but also now commands an aviation squadron responsible for six aircraft and over 200 personnel. His younger brother has also followed his example joining the US Navy as a P-3 pilot, and is currently stationed in Whidbey Island, Washington state.
In 2004, Khan was selected to enter the command-at-sea pipeline and became VS 31âs executive officer shortly thereafter. Khan was competing for one of two spots against 32 candidates, he recalls. Khan is flying missions over Afghanistan. He said, âAs far as the mission is concerned, I hope and wish the same things I wish for my fellow Americans. I hope thereâs peace. I hope thereâs stability. I hope for all people in the region that they can go to the market as freely as I can and let their children play on the street or get a job and be able to provide for their family. That is what my hope is - that in the end there will be stability and everyone will be able to enjoy the same freedoms that I enjoy in the United States.â
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\05\story_5-6-2007_pg7_13