ISLAMABAD – The re-equipment ceremony of No 5 Squadron of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) was held at PAF Base, Shahbaz (Jacobabad) on Thursday. No 5 Squadron, one of the oldest squadrons of the PAF, which was previously equipped with Mirage aircraft has now been re-equipped with the newly inducted state-of-the-art F-16 C/D Block 52+ aircraft. Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani was the chief guest on the occasion. Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman also attended the ceremony along with other senior civil and military officials.
A re-equipment ceremony parade was also held on the occasion, in which the squadron colours were presented to the squadron commander. Later, a formation of Mirage and F-16 Block 52+ aircraft presented a fly-past. Former squadron commander Air Chief Marshal (r) Hakimullah were also present at the occasion.
“As you know, Pakistan is at war with terrorists, who have disrupted peace and stability in the region and threatened our way of life. [The] Pakistan Armed Forces have been battling these elements since 2004. These operations have been conducted through unprecedented close cooperation and support of the PAF. The role of PAF has been critical; Pakistan Army fully appreciates the high level of professionalism displayed by PAF in all counter-terrorist operations,” said Kayani. “The first decade of the 21st century has seen PAF transforming into a modern and versatile force.
Our focus has shifted from the traditional threat-based development to development based on enhancement of capabilities. Our effort has been to cover the entire spectrum of aerial warfare to counter all internal as well as external challenges. Let me take this opportunity to reaffirm and reiterate that PAF will always provide effective support to our land forces in their operations against all internal as well as external enemies of Pakistan,” Suleman said. “With the induction of Block 52 F-16s, AEW, aerial re-fuelers and a multi-layered air defence system; PAF now has the capability to respond to various threats being faced by the nation with efficiency and safety.
