[🇵🇰-Airforce] Squadrons of PAF

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No. 1 Squadron

The unit was established in 1975 at Masroor Airbase near Karachi but quickly moved to Mianwali, where it remains to the day, to train newly graduated pilots from the Airforce Academy on the aircraft acquired from China. Though initially it acted as a fighter conversion platform for F-6 aircraft, it continued to perform this role even after the induction of F-7s and A-5s. The unit has the primary peacetime role of training newly commissioned officers, (with limited experience on the slower T-37s), to fly supersonic jets. No. 1 Fighter Conversion Unit (FCU) administers intensive and challenging coures each year. Maintaining its tradition of flight safety, the Masroor Hussain Flight Safety Trophy during 1992, 1995 and 1998. In 1987, the unit was assigned the wartime role of air defence. This change of role not only necessitated a change in the war plans but also inspired flying instructors to refresh their skills as interceptor pilots. During ISAC-96, the FT-5 aircraft fired an AIM-9P, which connected with the target successfully, demonstrating the capabilities of this old hero of the Korean War. In addition, the unit regularly took part in major command level operational exercises. On 23 April 1998, during an air-to-air missile firing, the FT-5 successfully launched an AIM-9P on target, demonstrating that the system is fully capable of living up to the standards of a fighter aircraft in any future conflict. 1 FCU has conducted forty-five Fighter Conversion Courses since it was established. During the last 10 years, 450 students have graduated from this prestigious institution. The average induction per course was twenty-six, the attrition rate approximately 12 per cent and the average number of graduates was twenty-four.

 

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No. 2 Squadron

No 2 Composite Squadron was formed on 15 April 56, at PAF Base, Mauripur, with T-33 aircraft. Initially the squadron was given the name of 2 Squadron. Later, in April 75, it was renamed as No 2 Fighter Conversion Unit (2 FCU). The present name, 2 Composite Squadron was assigned to it in December 79. The initial role of the unit was to impart jet conversion training to the freshly graduated pilots from PAF Academy Risalpur and to carry out check rides and instrument ratings for all jet pilots of the air force. In May 72, No 20 Photo Reconnaissance Squadron was number-plated and its 3 RT-33s and all its photographic equipment were transferred to No. 2 Squadron to form a recce flight, thus expanding the role of the unit. In December 79, after the passing out of No 66 GD(P) and No 4 Supplementary courses, the role of the unit was changed to that of a composite squadron assigned to perform a variety of tasks including ground controlled interceptions for the training of air defence controllers, and aerial targets towing for all three services; these were in addition to the earlier tasks of instrument ratings, checkouts and of photo recce. In August 82, when No 7 Squadron was temporarily number-plated, all its B-57 light bombers were also transferred to No 2 Squadron, adding yet another role of night interdiction and special missions to the unit's assignments. No 2 Squadron has the unique honour of receiving the only Nishan-i-Haider awarded to the PAF. Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas laid down his life in a most extraordinary manner to defend the honour of his country, when he foiled the attempt of his much superior East Pakistani instructor to hijack his aircraft to India during the East Pakistan crisis in 1971. this squadron began to work up on the type at PAF Masroor near Karachi and was assigned to perform a variety of tasks, viz. the training of pilots, the arranging of ground controlled interceptions to train air defence controllers, and aerial target towing for all three services. Due to constitutional problems limiting the number of numbered squadrons the PAF could operate, the F-7Ps were assigned to the very under-strength squadron, which was then operating half a dozen T-33A/RT-33A aircraft. The squadron had for some time operated T-33 and B-57s until the latter's retirement in late 1986. After the induction of F-7P aircraft in August 1990, the squadron's role was expanded to include air defence. At that time the squadron was also split into two seperate flights, designated as 'A Flight' and 'B Flight' for F-7P and T-33/RT-33 aircraft, respectively. On 7 July 1993, the T-33/RT-33 aircraft was phased out, and the squadron's role was confined to air defence only. In October 1993, the squadron was renamed the No. 2 Air Superiority Squadron.

 

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No 4 Squadron

In January 58, a maritime flight consisting of 2 Grumman SA-16 Albatross amphibian aircraft was established as part of No 12 Composite Squadron based at Mauripur. On 15 August 59 the status and strength of this flight was raised to that of a squadron with 4 SA-16s and 4 Bristol Freighters; the unit was designated No 4 Squadron. On 8 July 60 its strength was reduced to 2 SA-16s and 2 H-19D helicopters, and it was assigned the role of search, rescue, casualty evacuation and maritime reconnaissance.

No 4 Squadron carried out all its assigned tasks in a creditable manner. From 9 to 21 November 64 the unit also took part in CENTO maritime exercise Midlink VII. During the 1965 war, the SA-16s were employed to detect and report movement of all kinds of vessels, particularly the Indian aircraft carrier Vikrant. The H-19s, for their part, helped the army to track down suspicious persons in the coastal areas.

On 19 August 68 the SA-16s were placed in storage, bringing to a close their commendable ten year contribution to the task of search and rescue. No 4 Squadron continued operating its helicopters till they too were approaching the end of their useful life. In March 69 the unit was number-plated.

 

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