Pakistan Air Force offers a full and wholesome career. I've had more than my share of adventure, thrill and challenges. My career in the Air Force spanned more than 30 years which may sound a lot but we do start early in the P.A.F.
I joined P.A.F Academy in August 1970 at the age of 17.
When war broke out in 1971, we were still cadets but training got suspended
for a while and we were deployed on operational duties.The
1971 War was baptism under fire for us. It turned us boys into men and
prepared us to take our duties as The Defenders of Pakistan.
My Career in the Air Force encompasses Operational Flying in the Air Transport
Squadron, VIP Communication, Participation in Operational Exercises, Imparting
Training, Staff Duties, Command and Administration and also a Diplomatic
Experience.
Looking back at it now, if given a chance I would love to do it all over again. I offer some glimpses of my eventful Professional Career.
Diplomacy they say : "Is the art of telling someone to go to hell so polietly that he looks forward to the trip."
As a Diplomat, I never used the option to send someone to hell but I
did win many friends for Pakistan and its Air Force.
I was Posted as Naval and Air Attache' to Saudi Arabia from 1991 to 1995.
The period was specially difficult because of the Gulf War, and Pakistan had lost esteem. It was a real challenge to win back the confidence, faith and trust of our erstwhile friends. I not only convinced Saudi Naval and Air Chiefs to visit Pakistan but also managed to help arrange joint exercises. Success was achieved in bringing retired Pakistani Military Personnel on contract to Saudi Arabia after deputations had dried up. Promotion of Pakistani Military Hardware in the Middle East was another aspect I eagerly pursued. Reciprocal visits by Pakistani Naval and Air Chiefs and other high level delegations from Pakistan were recieved with warmth, candour and frankness due to my diplomatic efforts.
In retrospect it was a very rewarding experience and I had the full support
of my wife, who was elected the President of 'The Diplomatic Wives Association
of the Region' for two years in a row and actively promoted Pakistani
Culture, Values and Norms.
Flying and Operational Experience:
Received Basic Pilots' Training on T6-G aircraft and
flew 26 hours 10 minutes.
Flew 4514 hours and 55 minutes as Navigator on C-130, Boeing-720, F-27
Fokker and Aero-Commander aircraft.
Besides Flying as a Squadron Navigator, I participated in various operational
exercises.
I imparted training on C-130 and F-27 Fokker and flew as VIP/VVIP Navigator
on C-130 and F-27 Fokker aircraft.
I flew on the Aero-Commander aircraft when I was attached to Geological Survey of Pakistan when Aero-Magnetic Survey was being carried out by a Canadian team under the Colombo Plan in 1976. Besides flying within Pakistan, I conducted training cross-country sorties abroad which also included crossing the Atlantic with the help of only a Sextant.
- Instructor's Rating - " A "
- Total Flying Hours - 4514:55
- Aircrafts-Hours
C-130 - 3866:30 hrs
F-27 - 419:55 hrs
Aero Cdr - 201:20 hrs
T-6G - 26:10 hrs
Decorations :
For Meritorious Services, The Government of Pakistan awarded me 'Sitara-e-Imtiaz' (military) on 14 August, 1998.
Commendation Certificate:
While serving as Directing Staff for Air Operations at the P.A.F College for Staff Studies, in 1986, I was awarded the Chief of Air Staff's Commendation Certificate for outstanding work at the College which involved revising the entire syllabus for Air Operations in light of Modern Air Campaigns and preparing corresponding Training Precis and Notes.
Training Branch Experience:
Served as Navigation Instructor at the Transport Conversion
School, PAF from July, 1976 to January, 1979. I taught various subjects,
which include Astro, Radio & Radar, Instrument, Meteorology and Mathematics
along with Practical Air Navigation.
Was posted as Instructor for Aero-Sciences, Flying and Airmanship
at PAF Academy, from April, 1980 to January, 1982. During this
period I revised the entire Aero-Sciences Syllabus and wrote fresh training
précis and notes.
Served as Directing Staff for Air Operations at the College
of Staff Studies from December, 1984 to June, 1986. During this tenure,
I revised the syllabus for Air Operations and developed fresh précis and
training notes. For my efforts, I was awarded Chief of Air Staff's
Commendation Certificate.
In June, 1986 I was posted as Chief Instructor Transport Conversion School and commanded the Training Squadron. Besides conducting training for Pilots, Co-pilots, Navigators, Flight Engineers and Loadmasters, as Chief of Academics Syllabi Control Department, I developed Training Précis for all related subjects in Flying, Airmanship, Air Navigation and other technical subjects.
Command/Staff Experience:
I commanded a Cadets' Training Squadron at the PAF Academy from April 1980 to January, 1982. This was a very enriching experience as it involved round the clock vigilance and administration to impart training as well as control the discipline of the cadets.
I also had the oppertunity to command a training squadron at the Transport Conversion School from June, 1986 to July, 1987. This was a challenging task since the training, administration and control of all round activities of pilots, co-pilots, navigators, flight engineers and loadmasters from Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Navy and Foreign Air Forces was also involved.
- Officer Commanding - Training Squadron Transport Conversion School
- Director - General Affairs (Public Relations)
- Deputy Director - Operations Branch Air Headquarters, PAF
- Squadron Commander - Cadets' Squadron PAF Academy