fatman17
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Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan
Two airstrips that dont exist
* Website claims that the airstrips are used exclusively by US forces
* Pakistan and US share Jacobabad and Pasni airbases
By Khalid Hasan
WASHINGTON: Two large airstrips, one near Wana and the other near Nokundi, are believed to be for the exclusive use of the United States for security operations in Afghanistan and the Tribal Areas, as they are not under the control of either the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), or the Pakistan Air Force.
The two airstrips, which can hold large aircraft, lack the any customs or immigration, health, animal and plant quarantine facilities or an Airport Security Force. According to Globalsecurity.org, another airfield at Dalbandin is one of three Pakistani bases used by the US and allied forces to support the Operation Enduring Freedom campaign in Afghanistan. The other bases at Jacobabad and Pasni are far more distant from the Afghan border, and are used for logistical support.
Shared: However, the Dalbandin base is relatively remote and is in a province where many Pakistanis share ethnic and religious kinship with the Taliban. In late December 2001, Pakistan notified the US that the bases at Jacobabad and Pasni might be needed by the Pakistan Air Force, in the wake of rising tensions between India and Pakistan. The facilities were partially reclaimed by Pakistan, and as of early January 2002, both Pakistani and American forces were operating at the two airfields. The US military retained exclusive use of the Dalbandin and Shamsi bases. By March 2004, there were reports of increased US operations in Pakistan. Two air bases Dalbandin and Shahbaz were the focus for extensive movements to provide logistical support for Special Forces and intelligence operations.s.
Dalbandin airstrip was constructed in 1935 to serve as a satellite of the Samungli Air Base at Quetta. During the Second World War, it was made operational by the RAF to meet a possible Russian invasion through Iran. In the 1970s, Dalbandin was a disused airfield before it was taken over by the CAA in 1985. It was then provided with modern navigational aids, air traffic control facilities, passenger terminals and a paved runway. There is regularly scheduled Pakistan International Airlines service to the airport. While not a military facility, this airfield is available to the Pakistan Air Force for emergency landing and recovery of aircraft during peacetime and wartime.
According to Agence France Presse, there are 40 airports in Pakistan, out of which only seven are for exclusive military use. The longest runways, measuring 12,000 feet, are at Quetta and Skardu, followed by Lahore (11,000 ft), Islamabad (10,900 ft), Mianwali (10,100 ft), Karachi (10,500 ft), Jacobabad (10,000 ft) and Rafiqi (10,000 ft).
Two airstrips that dont exist
* Website claims that the airstrips are used exclusively by US forces
* Pakistan and US share Jacobabad and Pasni airbases
By Khalid Hasan
WASHINGTON: Two large airstrips, one near Wana and the other near Nokundi, are believed to be for the exclusive use of the United States for security operations in Afghanistan and the Tribal Areas, as they are not under the control of either the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), or the Pakistan Air Force.
The two airstrips, which can hold large aircraft, lack the any customs or immigration, health, animal and plant quarantine facilities or an Airport Security Force. According to Globalsecurity.org, another airfield at Dalbandin is one of three Pakistani bases used by the US and allied forces to support the Operation Enduring Freedom campaign in Afghanistan. The other bases at Jacobabad and Pasni are far more distant from the Afghan border, and are used for logistical support.
Shared: However, the Dalbandin base is relatively remote and is in a province where many Pakistanis share ethnic and religious kinship with the Taliban. In late December 2001, Pakistan notified the US that the bases at Jacobabad and Pasni might be needed by the Pakistan Air Force, in the wake of rising tensions between India and Pakistan. The facilities were partially reclaimed by Pakistan, and as of early January 2002, both Pakistani and American forces were operating at the two airfields. The US military retained exclusive use of the Dalbandin and Shamsi bases. By March 2004, there were reports of increased US operations in Pakistan. Two air bases Dalbandin and Shahbaz were the focus for extensive movements to provide logistical support for Special Forces and intelligence operations.s.
Dalbandin airstrip was constructed in 1935 to serve as a satellite of the Samungli Air Base at Quetta. During the Second World War, it was made operational by the RAF to meet a possible Russian invasion through Iran. In the 1970s, Dalbandin was a disused airfield before it was taken over by the CAA in 1985. It was then provided with modern navigational aids, air traffic control facilities, passenger terminals and a paved runway. There is regularly scheduled Pakistan International Airlines service to the airport. While not a military facility, this airfield is available to the Pakistan Air Force for emergency landing and recovery of aircraft during peacetime and wartime.
According to Agence France Presse, there are 40 airports in Pakistan, out of which only seven are for exclusive military use. The longest runways, measuring 12,000 feet, are at Quetta and Skardu, followed by Lahore (11,000 ft), Islamabad (10,900 ft), Mianwali (10,100 ft), Karachi (10,500 ft), Jacobabad (10,000 ft) and Rafiqi (10,000 ft).