- Pakistani, Turkish and Saudi air forces present salute to president by flying on lower altitude
President Mamnoon Hussain on Monday urged all sections of the society to forge unity to achieve economic, political and democratic stability so that no force could impede the attainment of the national objectives.
Addressing the participants of the air show organised by the Pakistan Air Force in connection with Independence Day celebrations, he said the undeterred resolve of its people had brought Pakistan closer to success which would beget stability and prosperity, not only in the country but the whole region.
Mamnoon said that the whole Pakistani nation was united as a strong force for country’s defence. Minister for Defence Khurram Dastgir and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman also attended the show besides a huge public gathering at the Fatima Jinnah Park.
The president greeted the whole nation, the brave soldiers of the armed forces, particularly the Pakistan Air Force on the Independence Day and said that the enemy started sponsoring terrorist activities after facing defeat in its tactics of foreign aggression.
In this war too, Pakistani nation made the enemy bite the dust by sacrificing a lot along with the country’s security forces, he said, adding that the secret behind nation’s defence and economic prosperity lied in the national unity otherwise in case of any disruption, all of the dreams would remain unfulfilled.
“The Independence Day reminded us the historic struggle and sacrifices and resolve to sacrifice anything for protecting the homeland,” he said and highly lauded the skillful and highly professional display of aerobatics by the pilots.
He said the most prominent feature of the air show was the air display of JF-17 Thunder which was the masterpiece of the Pak-China friendship and manifestation of PAF’s efforts towards achieving self-dependence in field of defence.
Lauding the PAF for serving remarkably for country’s defence, the president hoped the force would keep up the spirit. He said for being a haven for Muslims of the subcontinent, Pakistan had always been pinching the enemies that was why the wars were imposed on the country repeatedly.
However, the brave people and the security forces fought back the enemy proving that neither internal nor external threats could deter their resolve, he added. Words cannot find description as the fabulously flown avions whizzed past engrossed crowd watching with held breath, the adroitly manoeuvered air formations of Pakistani, Turkish and Saudi air forces to add colour and sound to the Independence Day.
The show was led by the Pakistan Air Force pilots with dazzling formation of Mirage jets and SAAB-2000, followed by Augusta-139 helicopters with perfect left and right manouvers by decreasing and increasing their speed. To express solidarity, the Turkish and Saudi forces participated in the show to the amazement of the sky gazers.
The special appearance of the Solo Turk, the renowned Turkish Air Force team, proved their acrobatic skills by flying F-16. A Turk pilot put the aircraft to an amazing limit by emitting flare, adding spectacular display of visualisation of smoke-winders at its each tip.
The six Saudi Hawks with their crisscross formations was another feast for the senses which was reciprocated by thunderous applause by the spectators. The formation also presented salute to the president by flying on lower altitude.
Pakistan Air Force MI7 helicopter hovered over the venue dropping personnel of the elite Special Services Group whereas PUMA helicopters also made a fly past. These were effectively used by the Pakistan air force in its campaigns against terrorists and rescue operation.
Then appeared on the horizon, JF-17 Thunder ‘the pride of Pakistan’ the multi-purpose aircraft which performed with horizontal and inverted flying. Another feature of the show was the Tri-Services free fall display by Special Services personnel from Shahbaz, Sea Eagle and Shelter teams at a speed of 180km per hour to 250km per hour through nose-diving.
The sky divers landed at their specific ground marks on the ground to the perfection of their skills. A large number of people carrying national flags watched the show with enthusiasm and kept on chanting patriotic slogans and cheering every manoeuver.
The event concluded with a free fall jump by Special Services Group teams of the three services, who landed right at their designated spot inside the F-9 Park.