ISLAMABAD - Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Khalid Shamim Wynne witnessed the ongoing exercise Saffron Bandit 2012-13 held at an operational base of Pakistan Air Force, a press release said on Thursday.“Pakistanis are a peace-loving nation. I am confident that we as a nation are well-prepared to defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said on the occasion. “The prevailing complex global geo-political environment and regional threat situation are not only unique but also more challenging, since we face both internal and external threats. Therefore, readiness and war preparedness have attained enhanced significance.” While interacting with the participants after flying the mission, Wynne said, “The opportunity to interact with the skilled air warriors and to practically fly with them in the exercise Saffron Bandit has afforded me an insight into the high quality of training standards maintained by the PAF.”Earlier, the CJCSC flew in an AEW&C Aircraft to observe the complexities of aerial warfare and the professional handling and employment of integrated air and ground combat elements by the aircrew. It was yet another historic event when Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force himself participated in the exercise and examined the war preparedness of PAF Combat Squadrons. The Exercise Saffron Bandit is a triennial command level exercise conducted in PAF since 1994.A sequel of five exercises has been conducted so far while sixth Saffron Bandit i.e. for year 2012-13 is in progress. This time, the environment is unique where modern capabilities of PAF are operating under one umbrella for the first time and Pak Army Aviation and Army Air Defence are also deployed for undertaking the exercise.Earlier, on his arrival he was received by Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force. He was given a comprehensive briefing on the Exercise Saffron Bandit 2012-13.