PAF has had
the unique opportunity of training pilots of many air forces in the Middle East
and Africa. PAF pilots have flown on
trainers and fighters in Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Qatar,
Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Turkey, UAE, UK, and Zimbabwe. The pilots gained extensive experience on an
assortment of fighters including F-5A, F-5E, Lightning, MiG-17, Mirage F-1E,
Gnat, Hunter, MiG-21FL/M, and Su-7; the latter four types were of particular
significance to PAF, as these were flown by its traditional adversary, IAF.
First-hand knowledge about adversary
aircraft, as well as well-honed flying skills of PAF’s pilots were key factors
in their remarkable performance during various conflicts.
During
the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, PAF’s expert marksman Flt Lt Saiful-Azam, who was on
deputation to Jordan, downed an Israeli Mystère IVA
while flying a Hunter. A day later, he shifted to an Iraqi air base
and shot down an Israeli Vautour IIA and a Mirage IIICJ. A near-ace, he had earlier shot down an Indian
Gnat in the 1965 war.
In 1974, during a combat air patrol in Syria, Flt Lt Abdus Sattar Alvi,
part of an all-PAF eight-ship MiG-21 formation, claimed an Israeli Mirage IIICJ,
bringing some cheer to the beleaguered Syrian Arab Air Force.
PAF has also been a regular participant in various multi-national exercises
with China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE, UK, and USA. Pilots have enthusiastically fought against A-6, F-4, F-14, F-111 and Hunters of yesteryears, as well as the modern fighters
including F-15, F-16, F-18, J-10, J-11 (Su-27 copy), Mirage 2000, Tornado, and
Typhoon. Operations in electronically jammed
environments, flying in large strike packages at very low altitudes, and air
combat against fighters with AEWC support, are some of the scenarios PAF pilots
have been exposed to, during these exercises.
© KAISER TUFAIL
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