Images - Pakistan Air Force in the Mirror of History.
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ghazi52
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B-57 Pilot, Squadron Leader Shabbir Alam Siddiqi...
Beyond the Call of Duty . 0330 Hrs. Two young Squadron Leaders from No. 8 Squadron of the No. 31 Bomber Wing based at Pakistan Air Force Station Mauripur (now Base Masroor) at Karachi, sat strapped in the tandem cockpit of their Martin B-57B Bomber aircraft No. 33-941 performing final checks on takeoff, yet again, on a high risk deep-strike night mission into enemy territory. Their duty was to bomb India's Jamnagar Airfield 225 nautical miles (258 miles) South-East of Karachi.
In the front seat was the 31 year old pilot Sqn Ldr Mohammad Shabbir Alam Siddiqui, the jovial and dynamic officer who was quite popular among his colleagues for his spirited and compassionate nature. On the back seat was the 32 year old navigator Sqn Ldr Muhammad Aslam Qureshi, known as a thoroughly dedicated and professional officer. It was a motivating sight for everyone to witness two of the Wing’s senior officers leading from the front and going into action together. And surely for both aviators it was a matter of doing what they were best at; only this time with utmost vigour and precision since the nation's security and prestige were at stake.
Earlier on the morning of 6 September, eager crews of 31 Wing had listened to Field Marshal Ayub Khan's motivating speech declaring full-scale war with India. Sqn Ldr Shabbir Alam Siddiqui in particular was so enthusiastic about finally getting a chance to put to good use all their fierce training that he ‘had equipped himself with every kind of weapon - a pistol, a sten gun, and a long commando dagger hooked up by the side (and) appeared to be a walking armoury’. When during lunch friends joked with him about only lacking a tank to be hung by his side before going to war, he in his signature humorous style declared that he’d make use of any weapon available to take down as many of the enemy as possible, if he were to eject in enemy territory, and arranged for pistols and holsters for everyone.
Anticipating orders for night strike missions, the crews had been advised to rest, and while some officers opted to relax at home till 1500 Hrs when they were to report for expected briefings, Sqn Ldr Alam Siddiqui chose not to avail the time at hand to rest; instead he remained at the Wing to stay ahead of mission preparations. He did make a quick visit home to see his family, and informing them briefly about the situation and his upcoming missions issued some advice, explaining what would be the safest place for their two babies, in case there was an air strike on the base. Keeping in view his enthusiasm and the cheery and optimistic manner in which he left, his 21 year old wife Shahnaz did not think even for a second that it could well be the last time she was seeing him.
Beyond the Call of Duty . 0330 Hrs. Two young Squadron Leaders from No. 8 Squadron of the No. 31 Bomber Wing based at Pakistan Air Force Station Mauripur (now Base Masroor) at Karachi, sat strapped in the tandem cockpit of their Martin B-57B Bomber aircraft No. 33-941 performing final checks on takeoff, yet again, on a high risk deep-strike night mission into enemy territory. Their duty was to bomb India's Jamnagar Airfield 225 nautical miles (258 miles) South-East of Karachi.
In the front seat was the 31 year old pilot Sqn Ldr Mohammad Shabbir Alam Siddiqui, the jovial and dynamic officer who was quite popular among his colleagues for his spirited and compassionate nature. On the back seat was the 32 year old navigator Sqn Ldr Muhammad Aslam Qureshi, known as a thoroughly dedicated and professional officer. It was a motivating sight for everyone to witness two of the Wing’s senior officers leading from the front and going into action together. And surely for both aviators it was a matter of doing what they were best at; only this time with utmost vigour and precision since the nation's security and prestige were at stake.
Earlier on the morning of 6 September, eager crews of 31 Wing had listened to Field Marshal Ayub Khan's motivating speech declaring full-scale war with India. Sqn Ldr Shabbir Alam Siddiqui in particular was so enthusiastic about finally getting a chance to put to good use all their fierce training that he ‘had equipped himself with every kind of weapon - a pistol, a sten gun, and a long commando dagger hooked up by the side (and) appeared to be a walking armoury’. When during lunch friends joked with him about only lacking a tank to be hung by his side before going to war, he in his signature humorous style declared that he’d make use of any weapon available to take down as many of the enemy as possible, if he were to eject in enemy territory, and arranged for pistols and holsters for everyone.
Anticipating orders for night strike missions, the crews had been advised to rest, and while some officers opted to relax at home till 1500 Hrs when they were to report for expected briefings, Sqn Ldr Alam Siddiqui chose not to avail the time at hand to rest; instead he remained at the Wing to stay ahead of mission preparations. He did make a quick visit home to see his family, and informing them briefly about the situation and his upcoming missions issued some advice, explaining what would be the safest place for their two babies, in case there was an air strike on the base. Keeping in view his enthusiasm and the cheery and optimistic manner in which he left, his 21 year old wife Shahnaz did not think even for a second that it could well be the last time she was seeing him.
ghazi52
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Arawali Airfield, Kurram Valley, KPK, 1928-32 (c).
Arawali was an RAF airfield in the Kurram Valley on what was then the North-West Frontier of British India.
The aircraft in the photo are Westland Wapitis. RAF bases in this part of the country were essentially forts, with high walls to protect airmen and ground crew from snipers and raids.
© Sidney Hatter / AirHistory.net
.....
Arawali was an RAF airfield in the Kurram Valley on what was then the North-West Frontier of British India.
The aircraft in the photo are Westland Wapitis. RAF bases in this part of the country were essentially forts, with high walls to protect airmen and ground crew from snipers and raids.
© Sidney Hatter / AirHistory.net
.....
ghazi52
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,.,.
Since the commencement of hostilities 1965, Flt Lt Syed Shamsuddin undertook numerous successful daring bombing missions against enemy airfields at Ambala, Halwara, Adampur, Pathankot, Jamnagar, and Jodhpur.
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Since the commencement of hostilities 1965, Flt Lt Syed Shamsuddin undertook numerous successful daring bombing missions against enemy airfields at Ambala, Halwara, Adampur, Pathankot, Jamnagar, and Jodhpur.
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ghazi52
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,.
Parked in the hangar is the first prototype that graced the skies in Pakistan.
This bird was put through multiple extreme flight tests & given countless mission environment checks.
This is Number 4 of the prototypes and the 1st in Pakistan. It’s an important piece of history.
,.,.,.
Parked in the hangar is the first prototype that graced the skies in Pakistan.
This bird was put through multiple extreme flight tests & given countless mission environment checks.
This is Number 4 of the prototypes and the 1st in Pakistan. It’s an important piece of history.
,.,.,.
ghazi52
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,.,.,.,.
Today marks the raising, in 1957, of 02 PAF elite fighter Squadrons - No 16 Multi Role (Panthers) and No 17 Air Superiority Squadron (Tigers), equipped with the formidable F-86 Sabre at PAF Base, Masroor.
After being number-plated in 1963, No 16 Squadron was reactivated in 1971.
contributions in 1971 war the Squadron was presented with “Squadron Color” in 1979. No 17 Squadron also has a history of deployment both in East & West Pakistan prior to 1971. The Sqn has operated F-6, F-7 and F-7PG aircraft. The Sqn also carries the honour of providing aircover for the “Chaghi” Test site in 1998. Currently, No 17 Squadron is based in Peshawar.
Both prestigious Units have a glorious history of producing skilled, courageous and passionate air warriors. PAF commends the outstanding performance by the Squadrons in war and peace...
.,.,.,.
Today marks the raising, in 1957, of 02 PAF elite fighter Squadrons - No 16 Multi Role (Panthers) and No 17 Air Superiority Squadron (Tigers), equipped with the formidable F-86 Sabre at PAF Base, Masroor.
After being number-plated in 1963, No 16 Squadron was reactivated in 1971.
contributions in 1971 war the Squadron was presented with “Squadron Color” in 1979. No 17 Squadron also has a history of deployment both in East & West Pakistan prior to 1971. The Sqn has operated F-6, F-7 and F-7PG aircraft. The Sqn also carries the honour of providing aircover for the “Chaghi” Test site in 1998. Currently, No 17 Squadron is based in Peshawar.
Both prestigious Units have a glorious history of producing skilled, courageous and passionate air warriors. PAF commends the outstanding performance by the Squadrons in war and peace...
.,.,.,.
ghazi52
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The Pakistan Air Force used T-6Gs in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 as a night ground-support aircraft, hitting soft transport vehicles of the Indian army.
In the early hours of 5 December, during a convoy interdiction mission in the same area, Squadron Leader Israr Quresh's T-6G Harvard was hit by Indian antiaircraft ground fire and a shell fractured the pilot's right arm. Profusely bleeding, the pilot flew the aircraft back with his left hand and landed safely.
The World War II-vintage propellered trainers were pressed into service and performed satisfactorily in the assigned role of convoy escorters at night.
,.,.,.,.,
The Pakistan Air Force used T-6Gs in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 as a night ground-support aircraft, hitting soft transport vehicles of the Indian army.
In the early hours of 5 December, during a convoy interdiction mission in the same area, Squadron Leader Israr Quresh's T-6G Harvard was hit by Indian antiaircraft ground fire and a shell fractured the pilot's right arm. Profusely bleeding, the pilot flew the aircraft back with his left hand and landed safely.
The World War II-vintage propellered trainers were pressed into service and performed satisfactorily in the assigned role of convoy escorters at night.
,.,.,.,.,
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