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

[Gryphon]

The inauguration ceremony of Shooter Squadron was held at PAF Base M.M. Alam (Mianwali) on December 11, 2017. Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force was the chief guest at the occasion. Veterans and a large number of retired and serving officers also attended the ceremony.

Addressing the audience at the occasion, the Air Chief said that ‘the concepts of the future fighter pilots have to be embedded in a manner that they go from this squadron to high-tech fighter aircraft and quickly embrace those concepts’. He added that ‘the pilots being trained there should adapt to an exhaustive academic and flying curriculum under the supervision of the finest of the instructor pilots’. He further said that ‘their job is onerous and very important as fighter pilots and support elements and this edge must remain very sharp’.

In his opening address, Air Commodore Tanvir Ashraf, Base Commander PAF Base M.M. Alam talked about the significance of this squadron in grooming and training of young pilots. A well crafted documentary highlighting the importance of this squadron in PAF was also shown during the ceremony. The Air Chief inaugurated the squadron by unveiling the plaque of this newly formed squadron. Later on, the Air Chief interacted with the squadron personnel and urged them to put in their best in training the future fighter pilots of Pakistan Air Force.

‘Shooter Squadron’ is an innovative idea of establishing a temporary flying squadron which would serve as a lead in fighter training. It would provide ample opportunities to the young pilots to polish their flying skills and bridging the gap between low-tech and medium tech aircraft. Training at this squadron would give the future air warriors enough confidence to ultimately undergo their conversions on state of the art F-16 and JF-17 Thunder aircraft.

AIR CHIEF INAUGURATES SHOOTER SQUADRON AT PAF BASE M. M. ALAM | Hilal ISPR Magazine





Possibly related to

https://twitter.com/x/status/866982417164378115

@Hodor @khanasifm @Oscar @Bilal Khan 777 [USER=144824]@Path-Finder @Signalian @Ulla @MastanKhan[/USER]

 

[Bilal Khan (Quwa)]

The inauguration ceremony of Shooter Squadron was held at PAF Base M.M. Alam (Mianwali) on December 11, 2017. Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force was the chief guest at the occasion. Veterans and a large number of retired and serving officers also attended the ceremony.

Addressing the audience at the occasion, the Air Chief said that ‘the concepts of the future fighter pilots have to be embedded in a manner that they go from this squadron to high-tech fighter aircraft and quickly embrace those concepts’. He added that ‘the pilots being trained there should adapt to an exhaustive academic and flying curriculum under the supervision of the finest of the instructor pilots’. He further said that ‘their job is onerous and very important as fighter pilots and support elements and this edge must remain very sharp’.

In his opening address, Air Commodore Tanvir Ashraf, Base Commander PAF Base M.M. Alam talked about the significance of this squadron in grooming and training of young pilots. A well crafted documentary highlighting the importance of this squadron in PAF was also shown during the ceremony. The Air Chief inaugurated the squadron by unveiling the plaque of this newly formed squadron. Later on, the Air Chief interacted with the squadron personnel and urged them to put in their best in training the future fighter pilots of Pakistan Air Force.

‘Shooter Squadron’ is an innovative idea of establishing a temporary flying squadron which would serve as a lead in fighter training. It would provide ample opportunities to the young pilots to polish their flying skills and bridging the gap between low-tech and medium tech aircraft. Training at this squadron would give the future air warriors enough confidence to ultimately undergo their conversions on state of the art F-16 and JF-17 Thunder aircraft.

AIR CHIEF INAUGURATES SHOOTER SQUADRON AT PAF BASE M. M. ALAM | Hilal ISPR Magazine





Possibly related to

https://twitter.com/x/status/866982417164378115

Based on the background image, I'm guessing this unit will operate several aircraft types (Mirage & F-7P)? Edit: only F-7P, I guess a dedicated LIFT squadron

 

[BHarwana]

Based on the background image, I'm guessing this unit will operate several aircraft types (Mirage & F-7P)?

I think we are preparing for war from the idea of making pilots versatile on multiple platforms. Yes this will include lessons on how to exploit the advantage of high tech air crafts and hunt them with low or medium tech air crafts.

 

[FuturePAF]

Seems like the FT-7 will be used for as long as possible. The can will be kicked down the road until more money can be found (hopefully with a bigger economy funding it). L-159B was starting to look well suited for the PAF's need but budgets are what make the decision for you, but at nearly the expensive of a Block I Jf-17 I can see the reluctance. Long Term how about inducting the JL-9; basically an upgraded FT-7

The latest info on the JL-9:
http://chinese-military-aviation.blogspot.com/p/trainers.html#JL-9

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QnAdQCKr...E4P2pAxbCn8yp_u8Zt3LjEQCPcB/s1600/JL-9_40.jpg
The Nigerians maybe going for it so it may fit our needs as well as we too are managing our budget in a tight manner. The Sudanese are going for it:
https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--M5rb18k...yNquq934535v1Rqu6ACKgBGAs/s1600/FTC-2000S.jpg

 

[Maxpane]

hm good decision by the chief

 

[PakShaheen79]

Clearly expensive projects like MALE and Azm are showing monetary constraint in the expansion of PAF. This small airforce is turning into a real force provided the vision of ACM Aman continues after his departure after retirement. PAF must be allocated more funds. LIFT fighter is a critical requirement but this news report clearly suggests that PAF is finding it difficult to keep qualitative and quantitative expansion apace simultaneously.

 

[khanasifm]

Per paf history book paf extended all paf f-t7 life past it’s Oem 2600 hours based on the experience gained on f-6, a-5 and f-t5 slept so till jf-17b catches up they will be in the lift role

Guessing based on history book [emoji432]

Is’nt no 18 sharp shooter sqn f-7 ocu looks like renamed to be lift ?

What is the number of this new sqn ?

 

[Zarvan]

In my opinion we should have better Jets in this squadron like L-139 and others

 

[ARMalik]

Chief of Air Staff clearly disagrees with your point of view Zarvan.

 

[ziaulislam]

what is future plan for LIFT
jf-17s, or something new as f-7s wount last beyond 2023?

 

[Bilal Khan (Quwa)]

what is future plan for LIFT
jf-17s, or something new as f-7s wount last beyond 2023?

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.

 

[skybolt]

In my opinion we should have better Jets in this squadron like L-139 and others

Is’nt no 18 sharp shooter sqn f-7 ocu looks like renamed to be lift ?

New Sqn Crest/logo shows that this is a new one... not a rename...

 

[FuturePAF]

View attachment 448005
IF this squadron is to fly the FT-7; but cost is an issue once these air frames are exhausted; the JL-9G could be considered in a few years when money is found in the budget
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rq67lm9amKM/VLoFfAUBevI/AAAAAAAAKHY/b0iuO-G_UWo/s1600/FTC-2000G.jpg

Anyone know the price of one of these planes and how it compares to the FT-7P

 

[khanasifm]

View attachment 448005



New Sqn Crest/logo shows that this is a new one... not a rename...

But it says temporary sqn so may be in future it will be disbanded based on paf history book ft-7p got Additional 200 hours per Ac and total fleet got couple thousand hours additional life

 

[Talon]

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.