PAF to play lead role in rooting out terrorism, says air chief
ISLAMABAD: Highlighting the role of Pakistan Air Force in the ongoing Operation Zarb-i-Azb and its vision beyond 2025, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman said on Sunday that the PAF would play a lead role in rooting out terrorism from the country.
Addressing fighter pilots and officers of the PAF at a ceremony held in Sargodha, he said the force would always live up to the expectations of the nation while safeguarding the aerial frontiers of the motherland.
He said the indigenisation and procurement of sophisticated weapons systems would have been a distant dream without the unflinching dedication and visionary leadership of the PAF in the bygone years.
Also read: Honours for 38 PAF officers
The PAF paid tribute to the services of its veterans at a ceremony held at the Mushaf Base.
Among the guests were former air chiefs and war veterans of the PAF and high ranking serving officers.
Air Chief Marshal Aman paid accolades to the pioneers of the PAF for their gallantry during the 1948, 1965 and 1971 wars.
He assured the retired officers that the PAF would fully benefit from their rich experience and continue to seek guidance from them.
He said the PAF would follow in their footsteps to attain the ultimate vision of being ‘second to none’ as envisioned by the Quaid-i-Azam.
According to a press release, the air chief’s address was followed by the screening of a documentary titled ‘The saga of excellence’ which highlighted the PAF’s evolution from a small air force to one of the best air forces in the world.
Base Commander Air Commodore Sarfraz Khan gave a briefing on the development stages of the PAF since its inception.
The most admired part of the event was an aerobatics show by the F-16 aircraft. Wing Commander Azman Khalil displayed manoeuvres.
The guests visited a display of F-16s, JF-17 Thunder, retrofitted Mirages, F-7Ps, airborne early warning and control systems, air-to-air refuellers and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Ground combaters of the PAF also presented a firepower demonstration.
The event was rounded off with stream night takeoffs by F-16 and Mirage aircraft for a night operation exercise.
Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2015
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