A SALUTE TO THE PAKISTAN AIR FORCE-A FIGHTER PILOT REMEMBERS A former Air Force pilot MALIK AYAZ HUSSAIN TIWANA looks back at the PAF with pride The 1965 air war came early and we were to witness daring exploits and great sacrifices borne out of calculated determination, professionalism and bravery. People like Sarfraz Rafiqui,Younus, Munir, Iqbal, Ahmed (to name a few), were to give a new meaning to courage and leadership. And yes, there was the redoubtable M.M. Alam they called him ‘Peanut Alam’ (due to his small body frame), who was to show what actual giants are made of as he sliced into the enemy formations, dishing out not only physical destruction, but also psychological as well. I remember Flt Lt Shams, a bomber pilot, example of tenacity and determination, who flew mission after mission with an excruciating kidney pain, but did not report to the doctors till the situation became unbearable and he was near collapse. I remember when the Pakistan Air Force showed its mettle in the short six day Arab Israeli War of 1967. Four Israeli aircraft were shot down by a single PAF pilot, Flt Lt Saiful Azam, on posting to the Royal Jordanian Air Force, jolting the Israelis. I remember the mighty airlift in March 1971, of thousand of troops to East Pakistan, in a handful of PAF Cargo and PIA aircraft, over a long and dangerous route, some troops going straight into battle as they disembarked. The PAF had to fight the 1971 War with its one hand tied behind its back. Nevertheless, the enemy felt its deadly bite. I remember the closing weeks of 1971 and the war. The last party which our squadron had in November, before the war, was to welcome the newlywed wife of my handsome friend, Flt Lt Fazal, who attained Shahadat in Chamb, when flying next to me, he was hit by ground fire and flicked into the ground without giving a radio call. All in all, the Pakistan Air Force is a combination of many splendid things. It combines the ferocity of a tiger, the romanticism of a poet and the warmth of a mother’s love, where comradeship knits all in a strong fighting team. It is a melting pot of brave men from many castes,creeds and regions. Its institutions are strong, efficient and just, where merit alone dictates the outcome. Its traditions are laced with nobility, chivalry and professionalism, where the sprit of sacrifice runs deep in the blood stream of its ground and aircrews. In a world of kill or get killed, it gives no quarter and asks for none. ( defencejournal/sept98/salutetopaf.htm)
Posted on: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 04:17:08 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015