AIR CHIEF INAUGURATES SHOOTER SQUADRON AT PAF BASE M. M. ALAM

[Gryphon]

Its totally a new and separate sqn...but i wonder how will they accomodate so many sqns at mianwali cuz its a small airbase for this many sqns not forgetting the SAR sqn and uavs.

I think No. 18 will be re-equipped with JF-17 and moved to some other MOB and this temporary sqn will work as OCU for F-7P/PG and later as LIFT sqn.

*Just speculating*

 

[Talon]

I think No. 18 will be re-equipped with JF-17 and moved to some other MOB and this temporary sqn will work as OCU for F-7P/PG and later as LIFT sqn.

*Just speculating*

I can only get the details when I meet any mianwali based friend in person cuz internet aint secure and PAF guys usually dont discuss such matters on internet.

But if what u are saying happens..then why not directly raise a new sqn(other than No. 28) instead of raising a new sqn to take place of No. 18 and then re-eqp No 18 to JF17?

Though few weeks ago i told someone here that No.18 is ops with F7Ps as long as CCS is flying them.

 

[Gryphon]

I can only get the details when I meet any mianwali based friend in person cuz internet aint secure and PAF guys usually dont discuss such matters on internet.

But if what u are saying happens..then why not directly raise a new sqn(other than No. 28) instead of raising a new sqn to take place of No. 18 and then re-eqp No 18 to JF17?

Though few weeks ago i told someone here that No.18 is ops with F7Ps as long as CCS is flying them.

As per PAF roadmap, all F-7P's are to be replaced before Mirage non-ROSE.

Mianwali based No. 18 sqn operates F-7P and FT-7P's. Maybe, it will be re-equipped with JF-17s and the new temporary unit 'Shooter Squadron' will act as OCU for F-7PG and later LIFT for JF-17/F-16 before getting disbanded.

Several years back, some ex PLAAF J-7 trainers were also acquired.

 

[Talon]

As per PAF roadmap, all F-7P's are to be replaced before Mirage non-ROSE.

Mianwali based No. 18 sqn operates F-7P and FT-7P's. Maybe, it will be re-equipped with JF-17s and the new temporary unit 'Shooter Squadron' will act as OCU for F-7PG and later LIFT for JF-17/F-16 before getting disbanded.

Several years back, some ex PLAAF J-7 trainers were also acquired.

You have said the same thing twice and I've already replied to it

 

[Raider 21]

LIFT role has been on F-7s at Mianwali with the No.18 and No.19 squadrons for almost 2 decades. Both are and were termed as OCU squadrons, and the healthy rivalry between both squadrons produced great potential fighter pilots before their next respective postings. It is sad that it will be down to a single temporary squadron....

 

[CriticalThought]

As per PAF roadmap, all F-7P's are to be replaced before Mirage non-ROSE.

Mianwali based No. 18 sqn operates F-7P and FT-7P's. Maybe, it will be re-equipped with JF-17s and the new temporary unit 'Shooter Squadron' will act as OCU for F-7PG and later LIFT for JF-17/F-16 before getting disbanded.

Several years back, some ex PLAAF J-7 trainers were also acquired.

Apologies for repeating a previous question, but why not JF-17B as LIFT? Yes, it is expensive but it can serve dual purpose of LIFT and CAS in war time. And being indigenous it will be easier to maintain. Meanwhile eliminating the F7 and it's derivatives will further reduce operating and maintenance costs.

@Knuckles

 

[Gryphon]

Apologies for repeating a previous question, but why not JF-17B as LIFT? Yes, it is expensive but it can serve dual purpose of LIFT and CAS in war time. And being indigenous it will be easier to maintain. Meanwhile eliminating the F7 and it's derivatives will further reduce operating and maintenance costs.

@Knuckles

https://twitter.com/x/status/866987959169449986

https://twitter.com/x/status/866985703774838784

 

[Raider 21]

https://twitter.com/x/status/866987959169449986

https://twitter.com/x/status/866985703774838784

A little self appraisal there by Alan Warnes.....but the same thought process led to numerous F-6 crashes and that led to acquiring the FT-6 for training pilots. For example the F-16 is very simple to fly but....the employment of the aircraft makes it tough to operate in different categories of missions. I still believe they need a twin-seat/twin-stick type in the service for transition purposes. Just my opinion. Cheers !!!

 

[CriticalThought]

A little self appraisal there by Alan Warnes.....but the same thought process led to numerous F-6 crashes and that led to acquiring the FT-6 for training pilots. For example the F-16 is very simple to fly but....the employment of the aircraft makes it tough to operate in different categories of missions. I still believe they need a twin-seat/twin-stick type in the service for transition purposes. Just my opinion. Cheers !!!

But Sir, as far as F-16 is concerned, it has its own dedicated two seater, and I assume any new pilot going into the squadron is first taught on the two seater for operational conversion before flying solo. Is this correct? So what they really need is a LIFT for Thunder. Although it may be easy to fly, but with the advanced avionics of Block 3, may be a bit more hand holding would be required? Which may be why there is now only a temporary OCU?

 

[Raider 21]

But Sir, as far as F-16 is concerned, it has its own dedicated two seater, and I assume any new pilot going into the squadron is first taught on the two seater for operational conversion before flying solo. Is this correct? So what they really need is a LIFT for Thunder. Although it may be easy to fly, but with the advanced avionics of Block 3, may be a bit more hand holding would be required? Which may be why there is now only a temporary OCU?

LIFT is to take fast-jet pilot graduates into student fighter pilot trainees. It has nothing to do with converting to F-16s, F-7s, Mirages nor the "mighty" JF-17.

If that's the case for the JF-17, then they require the two-seat version of the aircraft at the JF-17 OCU squadron.

 

[CriticalThought]

LIFT is to take fast-jet pilot graduates into student fighter pilot trainees. It has nothing to do with converting to F-16s, F-7s, Mirages nor the "mighty" JF-17.

If that's the case for the JF-17, then they require the two-seat version of the aircraft at the JF-17 OCU squadron.

But wouldn't it be more expeditious to combine LIFT and OCU into a single step?

 

[Raider 21]

But wouldn't it be more expeditious to combine LIFT and OCU into a single step?

I believe that would occur if there are plenty of common-based aircraft, plenty of squadrons ahead and plenty of fast-jet pilots.

 

[haroonn]

Its totally a new and separate sqn...but i wonder how will they accomodate so many sqns at mianwali cuz its a small airbase for this many sqns not forgetting the SAR sqn and uavs.

Perhaps combining the still air worthy (F-7P) assets of No. 14 and No. 2 squadrons when they switched to JF-17s.

 

[khanasifm]

Perhaps combining the still air worthy (F-7P) assets of No. 14 and No. 2 squadrons when they switched to JF-17s.

2, 14, and 19 sqn f-7ps

 

[ziaulislam]

Currently, FT-7P and F-7P. In 2015, the PAF hinted at using the JF-17B for LIFT, but as per Alan Warnes in 2017, this might not be the case. There is also a report by Czech media of Aero Vodochody talking to Pakistan about the L-159. Still, we don't know the context of said talks, could just be a case of Aero pitching the L-159 and the PAF just hearing them.

why cant PAF create a cheaper water down jf-17B for LIFT