PAF Bases Discussions

[HAIDER]

PESHAWAR, Jan 16: The British era airfield in South Waziristan’s Wana town has been upgraded under a US-funded multi-million dollar programme which also envisages extension of runway and other facilities at the airport in Miramshah, the headquarters of North Waziristan Agency.

Officials said that a military C-130 aircraft made a successful test landing at the expanded 1,500-meter strip of Wana airport on Dec 30, while construction work was still in progress there.With the upgradation of Wana and Miramshah airfields the Federally Administered Tribal Area (Fata) now has three airports, the third one in Parachinar, the headquarters of Kurram Agency.

The Parachinar airport was built in the mid-80s after the Russian invasion of Afghanistan and was put into operation by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for domestic flights in 1994.Pakistan International Airlines suspended domestic flights to Parachinar in January 2001 because of financial losses and the airport was abandoned.

A security analyst told Dawn that the upgradation of the airstrips would improve mobility of the armed forces in the tribal region and could be used for civil aviation in peace time.

“From the security point of view, landing facilities for cargo planes in the tribal region are necessary. Instead of sending troops into the region by road, they can be taken there from any base in a short time,” he said.

Official sources said that work on the project in Wana and Miramshah was taken up in 2005.

An official said that the US administration had provided about $80 million for the expansion project.

He said that the project was likely to be completed by the end of year.
Airfield in Wana, Miramshah upgraded -DAWN - National; January 17, 2008

 

[mujahideen]

We need to develop this area. Only through development which benefits the people of FATA can we actually win the war on our side. Such developments are necessary.

 

[EagleEyes]

Are the new F-16s going to be stationed there?

 

[mujahideen]

Are the new F-16s going to be stationed there?

I dont think the area is safe enough for then to be stationed their.

 

[Janbaz]

Are the new F-16s going to be stationed there?

I dont see them as having a use at that particular point. F-7's, A-5's can be used to bomb the militant behind's so....why waste precious fuel plus work the gem F-16! By the way, PAF needs to increase opperational capabilities in the west and its stronger intellegince carry out pinpoint strikes on hideouts.

 

[ejaz007]

I don’t think the air strip shall be permanent base to fixed wing fighters. It shall mainly be used to transport troops and supplies in and out of the area to decrease the risk of attack by militants. Since no SAM threat has been discovered so far it is better to have air lift capability in the area for slowing moving planes and helicopters.
As far placing fighters is concerned I think nearest fully operational air base at Peshawar is close enough to provide air cover should it be needed.

 

[Blackpearl]

I don’t think the air strip shall be permanent base to fixed wing fighters. It shall mainly be used to transport troops and supplies in and out of the area to decrease the risk of attack by militants. Since no SAM threat has been discovered so far it is better to have air lift capability in the area for slowing moving planes and helicopters.
As far placing fighters is concerned I think nearest fully operational air base at Peshawar is close enough to provide air cover should it be needed.

I agree.
However, I really need to know that the C-130 which landed in Wana Airfield, was of PAF or from Coalition forces. Reportedly, PAF, in the past had refused to operate transport planes, in and out of Wana airfield, due to concerns over security of aircarft.

Is it true or not?

 

[JK!]

It should be used as a forward operating base for helos and COIN aircraft to get air support to anywhere in Waziristan as and when needed.

 

[fatman17]

I agree.
However, I really need to know that the C-130 which landed in Wana Airfield, was of PAF or from Coalition forces. Reportedly, PAF, in the past had refused to operate transport planes, in and out of Wana airfield, due to concerns over security of aircarft.

Is it true or not?

PAF uses their C-130s in northern areas (chitral, gilgat) w/o any problems. this was a PAF C-130 which landed at wana.

the wana air-base will be used as a staging ground for forward area troops and also will help in reduced turn-around times for the cobras and CAS a/c.

 

[fatman17]

PESHAWAR, Jan 16: The British era airfield in South Waziristan’s Wana town has been upgraded under a US-funded multi-million dollar programme which also envisages extension of runway and other facilities at the airport in Miramshah, the headquarters of North Waziristan Agency.

Officials said that a military C-130 aircraft made a successful test landing at the expanded 1,500-meter strip of Wana airport on Dec 30, while construction work was still in progress there.With the upgradation of Wana and Miramshah airfields the Federally Administered Tribal Area (Fata) now has three airports, the third one in Parachinar, the headquarters of Kurram Agency.

The Parachinar airport was built in the mid-80s after the Russian invasion of Afghanistan and was put into operation by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for domestic flights in 1994.Pakistan International Airlines suspended domestic flights to Parachinar in January 2001 because of financial losses and the airport was abandoned.

A security analyst told Dawn that the upgradation of the airstrips would improve mobility of the armed forces in the tribal region and could be used for civil aviation in peace time.

“From the security point of view, landing facilities for cargo planes in the tribal region are necessary. Instead of sending troops into the region by road, they can be taken there from any base in a short time,” he said.

Official sources said that work on the project in Wana and Miramshah was taken up in 2005.

An official said that the US administration had provided about $80 million for the expansion project.

He said that the project was likely to be completed by the end of year.
Airfield in Wana, Miramshah upgraded -DAWN - National; January 17, 2008

who says that US assistance is not being used properly!

 

[Blackpearl]

It should be used as a forward operating base for helos and COIN aircraft to get air support to anywhere in Waziristan as and when needed.

Wana airfield is already being used by Army to support its mission, for the last 4 years. It was PAF which was so reluctant to operate from this base.

As road moves to/from Wana are now getting dangerous to to increased IED threats, Cargo planes like C-130 must be employed to haul troops, ration etc.

 

[Spring Onion]

PAF uses their C-130s in northern areas (chitral, gilgat) w/o any problems. this was a PAF C-130 which landed at wana.

the wana air-base will be used as a staging ground for forward area troops and also will help in reduced turn-around times for the cobras and CAS a/c.

NO sir i think we need to have cobras perminently in Peshawar currently cobras have to fly all the way from Multan.

Apart from Balochistan operations, FATA was the only area where these are used extensivly hence these need to have a Squardon in Peshawar too to reduce the turn arround time.

in the future we can have a possibilty to have one on perminent basis in wana but currently NO.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

NO sir i think we need to have cobras perminently in Peshawar currently cobras have to fly all the way from Multan.

Apart from Balochistan operations, FATA was the only area where these are used extensivly hence these need to have a Squardon in Peshawar too to reduce the turn arround time.

in the future we can have a possibilty to have one on perminent basis in wana but currently NO.

The Cobra's are not based anywhere close to FATA?!

Are you sure about that? How on earth can the military provide rapid air support if they have to fly out from Multan? How long would it take them to get there?

 

[Blackpearl]

Cobra Helicopters do not have that much endurance to fly all the way from Multan to Waziristan and once on station, provide air cover.

They are permanently placed in Peshawar. From there, they fly in East towards Swat Valley or West , to Waziristan, to provide air support to troops.

 

[Janbaz]

who says that US assistance is not being used properly!

UHHH..... The American senate, certain congressmen, CNN anchors, News Media and many of the common folk!