Pakistan Air Force | |||||||||||||||||||
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Main article: Pakistan Air Force
Squadrons are the most basic flying unit of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). Combat aircraft squadrons contain around 20 aircraft. Squadron titles incorporate a squadron number and each squadron also has a nickname associated with it. PAF squadrons are organised into wings which contain multiple squadrons.
Active squadrons[]
Squadron | Name | Operational | Aircraft | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 1 Sqn | Rahbars | 1975 1975—1987 1987 1987—2011 2012 |
FT-5 FT-5 FT-5 K-8P |
FCU AD FCU FCU |
Set up in 1975 at PAF Base Masroor before moving to PAF Base Mianwali. A fighter conversion unit (FCU) training pilots to fly the Chengdu F-7 fighters. Now with the induction of K-8P aircraft, PAF can train its pilots for more advance aircraft.[citation needed] |
No. 2 Sqn | Minhas | 1956 1956—1972 1972—1979 1979—1982 1982—1986 1986—1990 1990—1993 1993— |
T-33A T-33A, RT-33A T-33A, RT-33A T-33, RT-33, B-57 T-33, RT-33A F-7P, T-33A, RT-33A F-7P |
FCU FCU, R Various Various Various Various AS |
Set up in 1956 with T-33A.[citation needed] Split into two flights, A flight for F-7P operations and B flight for T-33A/RT-33A operations. T-33A/RT-33A retired in 1993.[citation needed] |
No. 5 Sqn | Falcons | 1947 1947—1950s 1950s— —1967 1967—2010 2010— |
Tempest II Hawker Fury F-86 Sabre Mirage III F-16C/D Block 50/52+ |
RP, TA MR |
|
No. 6 Sqn | Antelopes | 1947 1947—1950 1950—1963 1963— |
C-47 C-47, Freighter C-130 |
No. 6 Squadron performed 71 sorties during run-up to Pakistan's 1998 nuclear tests, transporting 575 tonnes of cargo.[citation needed] Also known as the Antelopes. | |
No. 7 Sqn | Bandits | 1960 1960—1982 1982—1988 1989—1990 1990—1991 1991—1993 1997— |
B-57 Canberra Nanchang A-5C Nanchang A-5C Nanchang A-5C Mirage III Mirage IIIEA/DP ROSE I, Mirage EL |
LB TA OCU TA TA, AD |
|
No. 8 Sqn | Haiders | 1960— 1982— 1993— |
B-57 Canberra Mirage 5 Mirage 5VPA2/3 |
TA, AD |
Formed as part of No. 31 Bomber Wing on 11 May 1960, equipped with the B-57 Canberra and lead by Squadron Leader Muhammad Iqbal. Disbanded and resources amalgamated with No. 7 Squadron after the 1965 Indo-Pak War due to B-57 spare parts supply being stopped by United States. Re-activated with Dassault Mirage 5 in 1982.[1] |
No. 9 Sqn | Griffins | 1943 1943—1947 1947—1950 1950—1961 1961—1971 1973—1977 1977—1984 1984—2012 2012— |
Tempest II Fury FB.60 F-104A Mirage 5PA Mirage 5PA F-16A/B Block 15 F-16AM/BM Block 15 MLU |
TA OCU MR MR |
Second unit to be equipped with the F-16. Credited with 3 kills: two Su-22 on 17 May 1986 by Squadron Leader Mohammed Yousaf and an An-26 on 30 March 1987 by Squadron Leader Sikander Hayat. Equipped with the ATLIS II targeting pod in 1987 for ground attack role.[2] Commanded by Wg. Cmd. Aamir Masood in 2006, who is now flying Sukhoi Su-30MKK with the Chinese Navy (PLAN).[3] |
No. 10 Sqn |
|
1959 1959—1960 2009— |
B-57 Canberra Il-78 Midas |
OCU MRTT |
Established as the No. 10 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) Squadron with delivery of the PAF's first Il-78 in December 2009 and operating from PAF Base Chaklala.[4] |
No. 11 Sqn | Arrows | 1949 1949—1949 1951—1956 1956—1966 1966—1983 1983— |
Attacker F-86 Sabre Shenyang F-6 F-16A/B Block 15 |
LB FI FB AS MR, OCU |
First PAF squadron to operate a jet-powered fighter.[citation needed] |
No. 12 Sqn | Globe Trotters | 1950—1950 1951—1953 1953—? Presently |
Halifax Mk.6/Mk.8 Halifax Mk.6/Mk.8 ? Viking, Dakota, Fury, Halifax A-310,B707,Phenom 100,Gulf Stream IV |
Made No. 12 Composite Squadron in September 1953.[citation needed] | |
No. 13 Sqn | 2009— |
Saab 2000 Erieye |
AEW&C |
First Saab 2000 Erieye delivered December 2009.[5] | |
No. 14 Sqn | Tail choppers | 1948 1948—1949 1949— 1956—1971 1972—1986 1986—1993 1993— |
F-86 Sabre Shenyang F-6, FT-6 F-16 F-7P |
OCU |
A pilot was lost when he ejected over the Himalayas while ferrying an FT-6 from China in May 1977.[citation needed] |
No. 15 Sqn | Cobras | 1956 1956—1973 1973—1976 1976—1993 1993—1997 1998— |
F-86 Sabre, T-33 Shenyang F-6 Shenyang F-6 Chengdu F-7P Mirage IIIRP/EP,Mirage VPA,VDA,DR |
TA AS TA |
Number-plated in August 1997, was scheduled to convert to ex-French Mirages in the tactical attack role.[citation needed] |
No. 16 Sqn | Panthers | 1957 1957—1963 1970—1972 1982—1983 1983—2011 2011— |
F-86 Sabre F-86 Sabre Shenyang F-6 A-5C, FT-6 JF-17 Thunder |
TA TA MR OCU |
Became the Fighter Leaders School in 1971. First squadron to fly A-5C, first A-5s landing at PAF Base Rafiqui on 12 February 1983. Converted pilots of No. 7 and No. 26 Squadrons to fly the A-5. Flew against the F-16 extensively during dissimilar aircraft combat training (DACT) in 1985.[citation needed] Also flew 1v1 DACT missions against the F-7P in 1988. In 1990, Wing Commander Zafar took part in an evaluation of the Nanchang A-5M and A-5F.[citation needed] Officially converted to the JF-17 Thunder on 11 April 2011.[6] |
No. 17 Sqn | Tigers | 1957 1958—1977 1977—2001 2001— |
F-86 Sabre Shenyang F-6 F-7PG |
Operated F-6 from 1977 to 2001.[7] | |
No. 18 Sqn | War Hawks | 1958 1958—1980 1981—1989 1989— 1999— |
F-86 Sabre Mirage 5 Chengdu F-7P Chengdu F-7P |
TA TA OCU |
Previously named Sharpshooters.[citation needed] |
No. 19 Sqn | Sherdils (English: Lion-hearted) |
1958 1958—1977 1977—1989 1990— |
F-86 Sabre Shenyang F-6 Chengdu F-7P Chengdu FT-7 |
AS AS OCU |
All aircraft damaged by a hail storm during the night of 13 October 1997.[citation needed] (NoteNot to be confused with PAF aerobatics Team Sherdils.) |
No. 20 Sqn | Eagles | 1956 1956—1972 1972—1986 1986—1988 1988—? Presently |
RT-33 Mirage IIIRP Shenyang F-6 Chengdu F-7P Chengdu F-7PG |
PR TA, PR AS |
|
No. 22 Sqn | Ghazis | 1984 | Mirage IIIDF,IIIDA,EL,DL | OCU | |
No. 23 Sqn | Talons | 1961 1961—1964 1966— 1975—2002 2002— |
Hawker Fury Shenyang F-6 Chengdu F-7PG |
AS |
F-6 retired in 2002.[7] |
No. 24 Sqn | Blinders | 1962 1962—1977 1987— |
RB-57 Falcon DA-20 |
ELINT EW |
|
No. 25 Sqn | Night Strike Eagles | 1966 1966—1995 1996—1998 1997— |
Shenyang F-6 Mirage III ROSE I Mirage 5VEF ROSE II, IIIDP |
TA |
One of the first two squadrons to be equipped with the Shenyang F-6.[citation needed] Changed to specialist night attack role in March 1997.[citation needed] |
No. 26 Sqn | Black Spiders | 1967 1967—1980 1980—1984 1984—2011 2010— |
F-86 Sabre Shenyang F-6 A-5C JF-17 Thunder |
AS TA MR |
|
No. 27 Sqn | Zarrars | 2007 2007— |
Mirage IIIDP ROSE III, VEF |
TA |
Named after Hazrat Zarrar Bin Al Azwar (RA), the favorite Lieutenant of Hazrat Khalid Bin Walid (RA).[8][9] |
Sherdils | 1972—2010 2010— |
T-37 Tweet K-8 Karakorum |
The Sherdils Squadron is the aerobatics display team of the Pakistan Air Force Academy, based at PAF Risalpur. The team flew the T-37 Tweet until circa 2010, when they switched to the K-8 Karakorum, and is composed of instructors of the Basic Flying Training (BFT) Wing. | ||
No. 81 Sqn | Kangaroos | Alouette 3 | SAR | Stationed at PAF Base Peshawar.[10] | |
No. 82 Sqn | Alouette 3 | SAR | Stationed at PAF Base Mushaf.[10] | ||
No. 83 Sqn | Dolphins | Alouette 3, Mi-171Sh | SAR | Stationed at PAF Base Masroor.[10] | |
No. 85 Sqn | Alouette 3 | SAR | Stationed at PAF Base Samungli.[10] | ||
No. 86 Sqn | Ababeel | Alouette 3 | SAR | Stationed at PAF Base Mianwali.[10] | |
No. 87 Sqn | Alouette 3 | SAR | Stationed at PAF Base Minhas.[10] | ||
CCS | Skybolts | Mirage 5PA Mirage IIIEA |
ATT |
Combat Commanders School (CCS), named Skybolts.[citation needed] | |
CCS | Dashings | 1976—1992 1992— |
Shenyang F-6 Chengdu F-7P |
ATT |
Combat Commanders School (CCS).[11] |
Key:
- AD = Air Defence
- AS = Air Superiority
- MR = Multi-role
- MRTT = Multi-Role Tanker Transport
- OCU = Operational Conversion Unit
- PR = Photographic survey and Reconnaissance
- TA = Tactical Attack
- MS = Maritime Support
- ATT = Advanced Tactics/Training
- HB = Heavy Bomber
- LB = Light Bomber
- FI = Fighter Interceptor
- FB = Fighter Bomber
Inactive squadrons[]
Squadron | Operational | Aircraft | Role | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|
No. 4 Squadron | 1959—1969 1959—1960 1960—1969 |
SA-16 Albatross Bristol Freighter SA-16 Albatross Sikorsky H-19D |
MR T MR SAR |
Formed on 15 August 1959 with four Bristol Freighters and four Grumman SA-16 Albatross amphibious aircraft, two of which were transferred from No. 12 squadron. Strength reduced to two SA-16 and two Sikorsky H-19D on 8 July 1960. SA-16 aircraft taken out of service on 19 August 1968, later followed by the H-19D. Squadron "number-plated" in March 1969.[citation needed] |
JF-17 TEF | 2007—2010 | JF-17 | T&E | Established on 20 February 2007 as JF-17 Test and Evaluation Flight, commanded by Wg Cdr Ahsan Rafiq and stationed at PAF Base Minhas, Kamra. Transformed into No. 26 Black Spiders Squadron on 18 February 2010 when No. 26 officially converted from the Nanchang A-5C to the JF-17.[12] |
Key:
SAR = Search and Rescue
MR = Maritime Reconnaissance
References[]
Footnotes[]
- ↑ Gp Capt SULTAN M HALI. "B-57 THE INTREPID BOMBER OF PAF". Defence Journal. http://www.defencejournal.com/may99/b-57.htm. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
- ↑ "9 sqn "Griffins" (PAF)". www.f-16.net. http://www.f-16.net/units_article292.html. Retrieved 11 April 2010.
- ↑ "Viper Driver Flying Hours - Wg.Cmd. Aamir Masood". www.f-16.net. http://www.f-16.net/pilots-profile2105.html. Retrieved 11 April 2010.
- ↑ Warnes, Alan (July 2010). "On The Edge". United Kingdom: Key Publishing Limited. p. Page 56. http://www.airforcesmonthly.com/view_issue.asp?ID=744. Retrieved 9 July 2010. "Last year saw the delivery of the first Il-78 Midas air-to-air refueller and also the first Russian aircraft into the inventory - hence the R in front of the serial. The newly established 10 Multi Role Tanker Transport Sqn at Chaklala operates the aircraft, which will be joined by a second example."
- ↑ Warnes, Alan (July 2010). "On The Edge". United Kingdom: Key Publishing Limited. p. Page 59. http://www.airforcesmonthly.com/view_issue.asp?ID=744. Retrieved 9 July 2010. "After years of trying to acquire a much needed airborne early warning platform, Pakistan's first Saab 2000 Erieye was officially inducted into service, with 13 Squadron, on December 29, 2009. A second example followed in late April and the third and fourth will follow by the end of the year."
- ↑ "JF-17 build-up progresses". 12 April 2011. http://www.key.aero/view_news.asp?ID=3076&thisSection=military. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 http://www.defencejournal.com/2002/may/salute.htm
- ↑ "New Fighter Squadron added to Pakistan Air Force". Article. Islamabad, Pakistan: Pakistan Times. April 2007. http://www.pakistantimes.net/2007/04/20/top4.htm. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
- ↑ "PAF gets new Mirage fighter squadron". Article. www.webindia123.com. April 20, 2007. http://news.webindia123.com/news/ar_showdetails.asp?id=704201030&cat=&n_date=20070420. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 http://www.scramble.nl/mil/3/pakaf/orbat.htm
- ↑ "History of F-6". [www.f-6fighter.com f-6fighter.com]. http://f-6fighter.com/history.htm. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
- ↑ Warnes, Alan (July 2011). "JF-17 - Thunder from the East". Key Publishing. pp. 47–70.
Bibliography[]
The original article can be found at List of Pakistan Air Force squadrons and the edit history here.