Pakistan Air Force was established in 1947 as Royal Pakistan Air Force. It is a part of Pakistan armed force. It is shortly called as “PAF”. In Urdu it is called as “Pak Fazaia” The first Air chief marshal was Allan Perry-Keane (August 1947 - February 1949). Its headquarters is in Islamabad. Present Chief of Air staff is “Air Chief Marshal Tanveer Mehmood Ahmad” he controls and holds the administrative and operational powers and activities of PAF. Pakistan Air force serves to defend Pakistan air space. Every year in Pakistan Air Force day is celebrated, different Air shows and other programs related to PAF presented by PAF and other institutions and organizations of Pakistan. PAF played very important role in the two wars of Pakistan with India, during 1965 and 1971. PAF has approximately more than 700 fighter and other types of aircraft, nowadays, PAF is concentrating and working out on fighter aircrafts. In collaboration with China, modern fighter aircrafts built in China and now in Pakistan these aircrafts are constructing by Chinese and Pakistani aircraft engineers. PAF operates following important aircrafts:
F-16s
F-7MPs
F-7PGs
Mirage IIIs
JF-17 Thunders
Mirage Vs
J-10/ F-10 Vanguard
PAF has approximately 65,000 active personnel and approximately 10,000 reserved personnel. Headquarters of PAF was in Chaklala but it has shifted to Islamabad. Major and large bases of PAF are listed below:
Karachi
Shorkot
Quetta
Kamra
Mianwali
Peshawar
Risalpur
Sargodha
The highest rank of PAF is Air Chief Marshal and then comes following ranks:
Air Marshal, Air Vice Marshal, Air Commodore, Group Captain, Wing Commander, Squadron Leader, Flight Lieutenant, Flying Officer, and in last Pilot Officer. These are the ranks of PAF commissioned Office.
Women are also playing their vital role very beautifully in PAF. In March, three girls joined in PAF as cadets and after training they got wings. Sword of Honor, first time won by a girl in PAF and Pakistan history.
