KARACHI - Current regional environment demands an ever vigilant role for Pakistan Air Force and in the face of prevailing security challenges, PAF’s preparedness and response has to be precise and expeditious, said Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman yesterday.
Addressing the closing ceremony of Inter-Squadron Armament Competition held at an operational airbase as a chief guest, the air chief said, “This competition provides a unique opportunity to participants from various weapon systems to exhibit their finest skills in the realm of delivering a wide variety of air-to-ground arsenals. It also serves well to attain the singular aim of developing a culture of professional expertise and maintaining exceptional precision in weapon deliveries.”
Number 11 Multirole Squadron won the PAF Inter-Squadron Armament Competition.
“It is through the rigorous training imparted by such competitions that we look forward to maintain the cutting edge of the PAF,” Sohail Aman added.
Highlighting the role of PAF in the operation against terrorism, the air chief said, “PAF’s performance is receiving worldwide acclaim in the on-going operation Zarb-e-Azb against the extremist elements. We are proud to claim that PAF leaves no stone unturned to meet the expectation of the nation and defend the aerial frontiers of Pakistan in the most befitting manner.”
During the competition, PAF fighter pilots from all weapon systems exhibited highest level of professionalism through sound planning, optimum employment and weapon deliveries with unmatched pin-point accuracy. After a close competition, Number 11 Multirole Squadron achieved highest score and was awarded the Armament Competition Trophy. Squadron Leader Tariq Waheed Malik was awarded the coveted Sher Afgan Trophy for being the best marksman in the competition.
The competition had started on November16. All PAF fighter squadrons were evaluated for operational readiness under competitive environment and assessed for weapon system performance in various tactical scenarios including weapon deliveries at tactical range. This year competition was special with the inclusion of JF-17 Thunder, F-16 Block-52 and F-16 in the exercise. The main highlight of the competition was exceptional performance by the JF-17 aircraft and it reaffirmed its position as a frontline fighter for the PAF.