PAF Squadron History

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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The 31 OCU was the last F-6 conversion course to be graduated by 25 OCU, after which the squadron's assets were withdrawn and allotted to 17 and 23 Squadrons.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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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.

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...

 

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In 1989, apart from Flat Out and Wide Awake exercises, this squadron also took part in air-to-air firing camp at PAF Base Masroor. The squadron also took part in the Inter-Squadron Armament Competition and the Officer Commanding, Wing Commander Wali Mughni, was declared 'Sher Afgan'. During the month of April 1989, the squadron's pilots ferried the aircraft to China for overhaul. The squadron was runner-up in the ACES for the year 1989. It also took part in Exercise High Mark-89. During 1991, Martin Baker seats were installed on four A-5 aircraft. During 1992, the squadron participated in a DACT Camp, which was held at PAF Base Minhas. Apart from some air defence exercises, the squadron also conducted routine exercises like Flat Out and Wide Awake. The squadron won the 'Sarfraz Rafiqui Flight Safety Trophy' for the year 1992. In 1993, the squadron participated in exercise High Mark-93 while operating from Murid. The squadron won the 'Chief of Air Staff Professionals Trophy' along with the 'Sarfraz Rafiqui Trophy' for the year 1994. During exercise High Mark-95, the squadron was deployed at Jacobabad. In 1996, the squadron won the 'Sarfraz Rafiqui Trophy' as well as the ACES Trophy.

A Turkish delegation comprising two officers and three cadets visited the squadron during 1997. The squadron also participated in Exercise Saffron Bandit during the same year. In 1998, a contingent of three A-5s and as many pilots from the squadron took part in the Live Missile Firing Camp held at Masroor. From 14 to 30 December 1998, the squadron participated in the DACT camp held at Minhas. In that camp, ten A-5 aircraft and all the pilots of 26 Squadron took part. The other participating units were 8 and 16 Squadrons. In October 1998, the squadron was deployed at PAF Base Sargodha with eight A-5 aircraft and ten pilots to complete armament cyclic training for 1998. During the nineteen day stay from 5 to 24 October 1998, the squadron flew 246 armament sorties.

Officers of No. 26 Squadron with their Officer Commanding

 

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PAF B-57 Canberra Bombers Lined Up At An Airbase.

Pakistan Air Force B-57s. This is the No 31 Wing, which received the new bombers in 1957.

 

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This squadron became operational on 19 April 2007 at Rafiqui Air Base.



The squadron is equipped with ROSE-III upgraded Mirage-5's. First Officer Commanding (OC) was Wing Commander Shafqat Mushtaq and first Senior Engineering Officer (SEO) was Squadron Leader Najam-ul-Hasnain.

 

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No 6 Squadron crews in front of Freighter with squadron commander B K Dass, centre - Lahore 1950.
[Picture Courtesy: DPR, PAF]

 

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No 12 Squadron crews in front of Halifax with squadron commander M A Dogar seated, centre - Mauripur 1950.
[Picture Courtesy: DPR, PAF]

 

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Drigh Road, 1952 - Officers of RPAF's only jet squadron, No 11, in front of Attacker with first squadron commander, Rahim Khan, centre.

[Picture Courtesy: DPR, PAF]

 

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Peshawar, 1950 - Part of first fighter-bomber wing: Nos 5 and 14 Fury Squadrons
Front row (L to R): 4th: R D Rollo, OC 14 Squadron - 5th: A Mannan, CTO - 6th: Garrod Cole, RAF, OC Wing - 7th: Khyber Khan, Stn Cdr - 8th: J K Z Zuromski, OC 5 Squadron.

[Picture Courtesy: DPR, PAF]

 

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Squadron 15 "Cobras"

Mirage-3 RP 75-211
Mirage-3 EA 90-511
Mirage-5 DR 04-106

 

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Pakistani Mirage V From No # 25 Squadron Flying Over Ghazi Brotha.

 

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