List of Pakistan Air Force squadrons
(Redirected from List of Pakistan Air Force Squadrons)
The following is a list of all active aircraft squadrons of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), sorted by type. Squadrons are listed by their current names and roles.
Aerial Refueling Squadrons
editSquadron | Nickname | Role | Command | Wing | Date Established | Base | Aircraft | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 10 Squadron | Bulls | Multi-role Tanker Transport | Air Defence Command | 35 Composite Air Transport Wing | 15 August 1959 | PAF Base Nur Khan | Il-78MP | [1] |
Aerobatics Display Squadrons
editSquadron | Nickname | Role | Command | Wing | Date Established | Base | Aircraft | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PAF Formation Aerobatics Team | Sherdils | Aerobatics Display | Air Defence Command | College of Flying Training | 17 August 1972 | PAF Academy Asghar Khan | K-8P | |
PAF Falcons | Falcons | Aerobatics Display | College of Flying Training | 1956 - 1966 | PAF Base Mauripur | F-86 Sabre | ||
Paybills | Aerobatics Display | 1952 - 1958 | PAF Station Drigh Road | Supermarine Attacker |
Airborne Early Warning Squadrons
editSquadron | Nickname | Role | Command | Wing | Date Established | Base | Aircraft | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 3 Squadron | Angels | AEW&C | Northern Air Command | 33 Tactical Wing | 1 July 1957 | PAF Base Minhas | Saab 2000 Erieye | [2] |
No. 4 Squadron | Karakoram Eagles | AEW&C | Southern Air Command | 32 TA Wing | 15 August 1959 | PAF Base Masroor | ZDK-03 | [3][4] |
No. 53 Squadron | Hawks | AEW&C | Southern Air Command | 41 Tactical Wing | 1 July 2021 | PAF Base Bholari | Saab 2000 Erieye |
Combat Squadrons
editSquadron | Nickname | Role | Command | Wing | Date Established | Base | Aircraft | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 2 Squadron | Minhasians | Multi-role | Southern Air Command | 39 Tactical Wing | 15 April 1956 | PAF Base Masroor | JF-17A | [3][5][6][7][8][9] |
No. 5 Squadron | Falcons | Multi-role | Southern Air Command | 39 Tactical Wing | 15 August 1947 | PAF Base Shahbaz | F-16C/D Block 52+ | [3][10] |
No. 7 Squadron | Bandits | Tactical Attack | Southern Air Command | 32 TA Wing | June 1960 | PAF Base Masroor | Mirage III ROSE I | |
No. 8 Squadron | Haiders | Tactical Attack | Southern Air Command | 32 TA Wing | 11 May 1960 | PAF Base Masroor | JF-17C Block lll | [11] |
No. 9 Squadron | Griffins | Multi-role | Central Air Command | 38 MR Wing | 3 January 1944 | PAF Base Mushaf | F-16AM/BM | [3][12] |
No. 11 Squadron | Arrows | Multi-role | Southern Air Command | 39 Tactical Wing | 1 January 1949 | PAF Base Shahbaz | F-16 AM/BM | [13] |
No. 14 Squadron | Tail Choppers | Air Superiority | Central Air Command | 34 TA Wing | 1 November 1948 | PAF Base Rafiqui | JF-17A | [14][8][9] |
No. 15 Squadron | Cobras | Multi-role | Northern Air Command | 33 TA Wing | 5 June 1955 | PAF Base Minhas | J-10C | [3][15] |
No. 16 Squadron | Black Panthers | Multi-role | Northern Air Command | 33 Tactical Wing | April 1957 | PAF Base Minhas | JF-17C Block lll[16] | [17] |
No. 17 Squadron | Tigers | Air Superiority | Northern Air Command | 36 TA Wing | 1 April 1957 | PAF Base Peshawar | F-7PG | [3][18] |
No. 25 Squadron | Eagles | Tactical Attack | Central Air Command | 34 TA Wing | January 1966 | PAF Base Rafiqui | Mirage 5 ROSE II | [3][19][20] |
No. 26 Squadron | Black Spiders | Multi-role | Northern Air Command | 36 TA Wing | 30 August 1967 | PAF Base Peshawar | JF-17A | [21][22] |
No. 27 Squadron | Zarrars | Tactical Attack | Central Air Command | 34 TA Wing | April 2007 | PAF Base Rafiqui | Mirage 5 ROSE III | [23] |
No. 28 Squadron | Phoenixes | Multi-role | Western Air Command | 31 AS Wing | 28 February 2018 | PAF Base Samungli | JF-17A | [24][25] |
No. 50 Squadron | Saf Shikan | Tactical Attack | Central Air Command | 34 TA Wing | 16 December 2021 | PAF Base Rafiqui | Mirage 5PA | [26] |
Combat Commanders' School Squadrons
editSquadron | Nickname | Role | Command | Wing | Date Established | Base | Aircraft | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CCS F-16 Squadron (No. 29 Squadron) | Aggressors | Advanced Air Combat Tactics Development & Training | Central Air Command | PAF Airpower Centre of Excellence | 16 July 1988 | PAF Base Mushaf | F-16A/B MLU | [27][28][29] |
CCS JF-17 Squadron | Fierce Dragons | Advanced Air Combat Tactics Development & Training | Central Air Command | PAF Airpower Centre of Excellence | 26 January 2015 | PAF Base Mushaf | JF-17A/B | [30][31][32][28] |
CCS Mirage Squadron | Sky Bolts | Advanced Air Combat Tactics Development & Training | Central Air Command | PAF Airpower Centre of Excellence | 5 May 1976 | PAF Base Mushaf | Dassault Mirage IIIEA, Dassault Mirage 5PA | [27][28] |
CCS F-7PG Squadron (No. 23 Squadron) | Talons | Advanced Air Combat Tactics Development & Training | Central Air Command | PAF Airpower Centre of Excellence | 16 March 1961 (transferred to CCS from 31 AS Wing (Western Air Command), PAF Base Samungli (Quetta) in February 2023) | PAF Base Mushaf | F-7PG/FT-7PG |
Electronic Warfare Squadrons
editSquadron | Nickname | Role | Command | Wing | Date Established | Base | Aircraft | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 24 Squadron | Blinders | EW | Central Air Command | 38 MR Wing | December 1962 | PAF Base Mushaf | Falcon 20 |
Search and Rescue Squadrons
editSquadron | Nickname | Role | Command | Wing | Date Established | Base | Aircraft | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 81 Squadron | Kangaroos | SAR | Northern Air Command | 36 TA Wing | 1965 | PAF Base Peshawar | Alouette III | [33] |
No. 82 Squadron | Stallions | Combat Support | Central Air Command | 38 MR Wing | 1967 | PAF Base Mushaf | AW139 | [33] |
No. 83 Squadron | Kites | SAR | Central Air Command | 34 TA Wing | 1972 | PAF Base Rafiqui | Alouette III | [33] |
No. 84 Squadron | Dolphins | Combat Support | Southern Air Command | 32 TA Wing | 1968 | PAF Base Masroor | AW139 | [33] |
No. 85 Squadron | Saviours | SAR | Southern Air Command | 31 AS Wing | 12 March 1968 | PAF Base Samungli | Alouette III | [33] |
No. 86 Squadron | Ababeel | SAR | Northern Air Command | 37 Combat Training Wing | October 1983 | PAF Base M. M. Alam | Alouette III | [33] |
No. 87 Squadron | Dragonflies | SAR | Northern Air Command | 33 Tactical Wing | July 1997 | PAF Base Minhas | Alouette III | |
No. 88 Squadron | Rams | Combat Support | Southern Air Command | 39 Tactical Wing | PAF Base Shahbaz | AW139 | [34] |
Training Squadrons
editSquadron | Nickname | Role | Command | Wing | Date Established | Base | Aircraft | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 1 Squadron | Rahbers | Fighter Conversion Unit | Northern Air Command | 37 Combat Training Wing | 28 April 1975 | PAF Base M. M. Alam | K-8P | [35] |
No. 18 Squadron | Sharp Shooters | Operational Conversion | Southern Air Command | 41 Tactical Wing | 1 February 1958 | PAF Base Bholari | JF-17A | [36][37] |
No. 19 Squadron | Sherdils | Operational Conversion | Southern Air Command | 41 Tactical Wing | 1 February 1958 | PAF Base Bholari | F-16 ADF | [38] |
No. 20 Squadron | Cheetahs | Operational Conversion | Northern Air Command | 37 Combat Training Wing | March 1956 | PAF Base M. M. Alam | F-7PG | |
No. 22 Squadron | Ghazis | Operational Conversion | Southern Air Command | 32 TA Wing | June 1984 | PAF Base Masroor | Mirage IIIEL/DL | [39] |
1 PFT Squadron | Primary Training | Air Defence Command | Primary Flying Training Wing | 1947 | PAF Academy Asghar Khan | Mushshak | ||
2 PFT Squadron | Primary Training | Air Defence Command | Primary Flying Training Wing | 1947 | PAF Academy Asghar Khan | Mushshak | ||
1 BFT Squadron | Basic Training | Air Defence Command | Basic Flying Training Wing | July 1974 | PAF Academy Asghar Khan | T-37B/C | ||
2 BFT Squadron | Basic Training | Air Defence Command | Basic Flying Training Wing | July 1974 | PAF Academy Asghar Khan | T-37B/C | ||
1 AJT Squadron | Advanced Training | Air Defence Command | Advanced Jet Training Wing | 1994 | PAF Academy Asghar Khan | K-8P | ||
Flying Instructors School | Instructor Training | Air Defence Command | College of Flying Training | 15 April 1952 | PAF Academy Asghar Khan | T-37 | [40] | |
Helicopter Flying Training School | Helicopter Conversion | Northern Air Command | 36 TA Wing | 1995 | PAF Base Peshawar | Alouette III | [41] | |
Shooter Squadron | LIFT | Northern Air Command | 37 Combat Training Wing | 11 December 2017 | PAF Base M. M. Alam | F-7P | [42] | |
Transport Conversion School | Transport Conversion | Air Defence Command | 35 Composite Air Transport Wing | April 1975 | PAF Base Nur Khan | C-130 | [43] | |
Advanced Jet Training Squadron PAF | Training | Air Defence Command | 1994 | Pakistan Air Force Academy | K-8P |
Transport Squadrons
editSquadron | Nickname | Role | Command | Wing | Date Established | Base | Aircraft | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 6 Squadron | Antelopes | Air Transport | Air Defence Command | 35 Composite Air Transport Wing | 1 December 1942 | PAF Base Nur Khan | C-130B/E/L-100 | [44] |
No. 12 Squadron | Burraqs | VIP Transport | Air Defence Command | 35 Composite Air Transport Wing | March 1950 | PAF Base Nur Khan | GIV-SP | [45][46] |
No. 21 Squadron | Globe Trotters | Air Transport | Southern Air Command | 40 Air Mobility Wing | 15 November 2006 | PAF Base Faisal | C-130E | [47][48]
|
No. 41 Squadron | Albatross | VIP Light Communication | Air Defence Command | 35 Composite Air Transport Wing | June 1966 | PAF Base Nur Khan | Phenom 100 | |
No. 52 Squadron | Markhors | Air Transport | Air Defence Command | 35 Composite Air Transport Wing | 14 March 2020 | PAF Base Nur Khan | CN-235-220 | [49] |
Unmanned Squadrons
editSquadron | Nickname | Role | Command | Wing | Date Established | Base | Aircraft | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 60 Squadron | Pegasus | Reconnaissance | No. 42 Wing | April 2007 | PAF Base Murid | GIDS Shahpar | [50] | |
No. 61 Squadron | Armed reconnaissance | No. 42 Wing | April 2007 | PAF Base Murid | NESCOM Burraq, Shahpar-I | |||
No. 62 Squadron | Hoopoes | ISR & OCU | No. 42 Wing | September 2003 | PAF Base Murid | Selex ES Falco | ||
No. 63 Squadron | Harriers | ISR | Northern Air Command | 10 August 2021 | PAF Base MM Alam | CAIG Wing Loong II | ||
No. 64 Squadron | ISO | Northern Air Command | No. 42 Wing | March 2022 | PAF Base Murid | Bayraktar TB2 | ||
No. 65 Squadron | Knights | Multi-role | No. 42 Wing | March 2023 | PAF Base Murid | Bayraktar Akinci |
See also
editReferences
editFootnotes
edit- ^ Warnes, Alan (July 2010). "On The Edge". Air Forces Monthly (July 2010). United Kingdom: Key Publishing Limited: 56. Archived from the original on 6 June 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
Last year saw the delivery of the first Il-78 Midas air-to-air refueller and also the first Russian aircraft into the inventory – hence the R in front of the serial. The newly established 10 Multi Role Tanker Transport Sqn at Chaklala operates the aircraft, which will be joined by a second example.
- ^ Warnes, Alan (July 2010). "On The Edge". Air Forces Monthly (July 2010). United Kingdom: Key Publishing Limited: 59. Archived from the original on 6 June 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
After years of trying to acquire a much needed airborne early warning platform, Pakistan's first Saab 2000 Erieye was officially inducted into service, with 13 Squadron, on December 29, 2009. A second example followed in late April and the third and fourth will follow by the end of the year.
- ^ a b c d e f g Umair Aslam (4 February 2022). "Pakistan Air Force Conducts National Air Defense Exercise". DefenseTalks.com.
- ^ "Pakistan Air Force commissions Karakoram Eagle AWACS aircraft". Airforce Technology. 2015-03-01. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
- ^ "Pakistan's PAF Re-equip Squadron No 2 Minhas With JF-17". Archived from the original on 21 November 2015.
- ^ Pike, John. "Squadron". globalsecurity.org. Archived from the original on 2016-12-29.
- ^ Dawn.com, APP (20 August 2015). "44 years ago today: Rashid Minhas takes his plane down for Pakistan". dawn.com. Archived from the original on 10 January 2018.
- ^ a b Herk, Hans van (11 November 2020). "Pakistan JF-17 Thunder unit shuffles". www.scramble.nl. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
- ^ a b "Pakistan JF-17 Thunder unit shuffles". 11 November 2020.
- ^ "Pakistan receives last batch of F-16 combat jets". www.f-16.net. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
- ^ Gp Capt SULTAN M HALI. "B-57 THE INTREPID BOMBER OF PAF". Defence Journal. Archived from the original on 15 May 2012. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
- ^ "9 sqn "Griffins" (PAF)". www.f-16.net. Archived from the original on 29 June 2010. Retrieved 11 April 2010.
- ^ "F-16 Units - PAF 11th squadron". www.f-16.net. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
- ^ Dawn.com (2017-02-16). "PAF No.14 'Tail choppers' Squadron re-equipped with JF-17 Thunder jets". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
- ^ "Six China-made J-10C jets inducted into PAF". Dawn. 12 March 2022.
- ^ "Pakistan's air Black Panthers received JF-17 Block 3 killers". 2023-03-01. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
- ^ "JF-17 build-up progresses". 12 April 2011. Archived from the original on 31 December 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
- ^ "Final Salute to F-6". Archived from the original on 2008-03-26. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-12-30. Retrieved 2016-12-29.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Fighterpilotuniversity.com". www.fighterpilotuniversity.com. Archived from the original on 2016-12-30.
- ^ "No. 26 Squadron PAF Re-Equips with JF-17". Pakistan Air Force Official Website. Archived from the original on 2022-08-26. Retrieved 2022-09-27.
- ^ Warnes, Alan (July 2011). "JF-17 – Thunder from the East". Air Forces Monthly (#280). Key Publishing: 47–70.
- ^ "New Fighter Squadron added to Pakistan Air Force". Article. Islamabad, Pakistan: Pakistan Times. April 2007. Archived from the original on 7 July 2007. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
- ^ "PAF remembers creation of JF-17-equipped No 28 MR Squadron". Tribune.pk. 1 March 2022.
- ^ "PAF raises new JF-17 squadron at Samungli". geo.tv. Archived from the original on 2018-03-01.
- ^ Falcons, P. A. F. (2021-12-15). "Pakistan Air Force has raised a new No. 50 Tactical Squadron 'Saf Shikan". PAF Falcons. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
- ^ a b Pakistan Air Force, The Story of the Pakistan Air Force 1988-1998: A Battle Against Odds, Islamabad: Shaheen Foundation, 2000 (p. 290)
- ^ a b c "Orbats".
- ^ "Pakistan tries to flex muscles; Creates PAF's "Aggressor Squadron" along the border with India in the Mushaf area". 20 March 2019.
- ^ "Pride of Pakistan JF-17 Thunder inducted into PAF CCS". The Nation. 2015-01-27. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
- ^ "JF-17 Thunder aircraft inducted in PAF Combat Commanders' School". 26 January 2015.
- ^ "JF-17 Thunder inducted in PAF Combat Commanders School | SAMAA".
- ^ a b c d e f "No. 81-86 Squadrons of PAF". GlobalSecurity.org.
- ^ "PAF's No 88 squadron equipped with Augusta helicopters - Associated Press of Pakistan". Archived from the original on 2018-03-06. Retrieved 2018-03-05.
- ^ "Re-equipment Ceremony of No 1 FCU, held at PAF Base Mianwali, Islamabad". Pakistan Air Force. Archived from the original on 2012-04-30.
- ^ "PAC Kamra rolls out final 14 JF-17B fighters for Pakistan Air Force". Janes.com. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
- ^ "[image]". encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com.
- ^ "Pakistan receives first five F-16s from Jordan". www.f-16.net. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
- ^ "PAF pays tribute to martyrs, ghazis of 1971 war". 14 December 2021.
- ^ "Flying Instructors School (FIS)". www.joinpaf.gov.pk. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
- ^ "Helicopter Flying Training School". www.joinpaf.gov.pk. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
- ^ "Air Chief Inaugurates Shooter Squadron at PAF Base MM ALAM". Pakistan Air Force Official Website. 11 December 2017. Archived from the original on 26 August 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
- ^ "Transport Conversion School". www.joinpaf.gov.pk. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
- ^ "No. 6 Squadron 75th Anniversary (PAF Events)". Pakistan Air Force Official Website. Archived from the original on 2022-08-26. Retrieved 2022-09-27.
- ^ "DGPR Pakistan Air Force". Instagram (Press release). 22 August 2021.
- ^ Group Captain (R) Husseini & Pakistan Air Force. PAF over the Years (Revised ed.). Directorate of Media Affairs, Pakistan Air Force.
- ^ "PAF's cargo ship participates in International Air Tattoo show". Khyber News. 2017-07-13.
- ^ Air Cdre (Rtd.) Muhammad Ali & S.Khalil (29 November 2021). "Jinnah's Legacy A Tale of Burraqs'". Second To None. Directorate of Media Affairs Pakistan Air Force. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
- ^ S.Khalil (13 February 2021). "Markhors:New Beginnings". Second To None. Directorate of Media Affairs Pakistan Air Force. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
- ^ Khan, Farhat; Hashmi, Qadeer (2024). History of the Pakistan Air Force (2014-2023): The Next Generation Air Force (1st ed.). ISBN 978-969-7518-01-2.