PAF Art Gallery by Squadron Leader Adnan Siraj - - Part II

SHERDILS

When skill, precision, sharp reflexes and immaculate performance combine, they form the pride of the PAF Academy the “Sherdils”, the only aerobatics team of the Pakistan Air Force. Comprising the flying instructors of the BFT Wing, the Sherdils have earned their names through tenacious proficiency which go into each sortie depicting complete mastery over space, time and life itself. The four shipper flew on 17th August, 1972 and since then; it has become a regular feature of the graduation parades and air displays.

THE GRIFFIN

No. 9 Squadron is the oldest and the most eminent Squadron of the Pakistan Air Force. Its history is a legacy of excellence and is replete with the deeds of honest labour, professional achievement, honour and duty. The squadron has the singular distinction of having seven of its Squadron Commanders risen to command the Pakistan Air Force. The painting depicts an F-16 of No.9 squadron ready to pounce on its enemy with the “GRIFFIN” in the background.

THE FIGHTING FALCON

The first of the F-16 Fighting Falcons acquired by Pakistan entered PAF service on 15 January, 1983. F-16, a fourth generation fighter, meets the PAF requirements for an advanced and potent multi-role aircraft. Outstanding as an air defence fighter, the F-16 is a true multi-role aircraft because its performance is not impaired in any way when it is switched from air-to-air to air-to-ground role. Its induction has had a profound impact not only on the attitude and capabilities of the PAF but also triggered off an energetic reaction across the border.

DREAM TO REALITY JF-17 THUNDER

After years of careful design conceptualization and project planning between strongly bonded China and Pakistan, the first prototype of the JF-17 Thunder flew in 2003.Making rapid progress under dedicated teams of pilots, engineers, technicians and support personnel from both countries, the JF-17 soon began to exceed its design expectations and finally emerged as a high-performance, agile multi-role fighter possessing state-of-the-art capabilities in ordnance arrays, avionics and strike reach that are comparable to the world’s front line fighters of the new century.

PAF Art Gallery by Squadron Leader Adnan Siraj - - Part I

PAKISTAN’S PRIDE SOARING HIGH

A testimony of brilliance emerging out of Sino-Pak collaboration and a marvel of aerospace engineering, JF-17 Thunder stands right up there with the world’s best light weight, highly agile and maneuverable multi-role fighter aircraft. Equipped with advanced flight controls systems, state of the art avionics, modern navigation aids and integrated self-protection suite, the JF-17 provides a lethal and robust platform to carry out highly accurate weapon delivery of stand-off / precision guided munitions at day / night during all weather operations deep into enemy’s airspace by virtue of its air refueling capability. Its admirable war readiness status by virtue of high sortie generation and increase on-station time, make JF-17 an un-matchable strike-force multiplier and provides the critical fire power punch much needed by small and efficient air force like the PAF.

FIFTY YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

No.11 MR Sqn is an elite Squadron of the Pakistan Air Force and has a rich legacy of excellence. It has the distinction of being the first fighter jet squadron of the PAF. Over the years, the equipment underwent from Supermarine Attackers through F-86, F-6 and F-16s. The squadron is credited with the highest number of “Kills” in war the country has fought. Ace pilot and national hero, MM Alam also belonged to this squadron.

THE FIRST AND THE FURIOUS

Sqn Ldr Zulfiqar and Sqn Ldr Afzal (GIBS) of No 9 MR Sqn destroy an intruding UAV (Searcher-II) of IAF on the night of 7th June, 2002, during Ops Sentinel. This was the first kill of a UAV by any fighter aircraft in the world.

FROM ASHES TO RICHES “1942 – 2005” “JOURNEY AT A GLANCE

No-6 Squadron, raised in 1942, is the oldest and the only Air Transport Support Squadron of PAF. Since its inception, the squadron had Hawker Hurricane, Supermarine Spitfire, Dakota and Bristol Freighters on its inventory. The main work horse of the squadron, the C-130 Hercules was inducted in 1963 and is still in service. The squadron has actively participated in World War-II at Burma front and has not missed out a single Indo-Pak conflict; like 1948 Kashmir War, 1965 War, 1971 War and Ops Sentinel. In recognition of its remarkable performance during these conflicts, the squadron aircrews were decorated with one DSO, two DFCs, eleven SJs and two TJs.

Squadron Leader Adnan Siraj of Pakistan Air Force - - Nation's Pride for His Artistic Work

Although making a career out of his artistic ability was never an ambition, fate had it in store. While growing up in the air force surroundings at Rawalpindi where he attended the PAF School, Chaklala, the young Siraj was bound to develop a fascination for aircraft and the PAF. It was in those formative years in the1980s when, as he fondly recalls, he found a motivation of another kind.

He began sketching and painting aircraft. Life took a turn when upon completing high-school he rushed for selection as a fighter pilot and was turned down down. Fortunately for the PAF, however, in this young man an undeterred spirit of patriotism had struck root. Even if not a pilot, he was a fighter indeed. And for the air force an ideal candidate for preservation of its glorious history and achievements.

While Siraj pursued higher studies and received a master's in English Literature from the Punjab University he continued to indulge in art and managed to further polish his skills. Although he never received any art education, his quality of work continued to improve as he kept pace with the swift worlds of art and aviation both. During this time he also met artists and painters, showing them his work. Their response was against his expectations. Some of them criticised the objective of his work and the lack of its social significance.

While he found the critique disenchanting, he never gave up. 'Aviation art is a very specialised genre, which can only be appreciated by those who have an interest in flying; it can also only be created by those who can visualise and understand the dynamics of flight,' he says.

Then gratifications followed. One of his paintings was selected for the Lockheed Martin Code One magazine's ‘Art of the F-16’ issue in 1995. From then on the obvious path to take was to pursue what he did best 'I felt that even if I was in a non-flying branch, I would have much better access to aircraft and would be considered an insider. This was way better than the odds I faced as a civilian!' he recalls.

He applied to the Education Branch of the PAF, and was selected. He was sent to the PAF Academy, Risalpur for training, after which he was duly commissioned into the PAF in July 1997. There began a journey of contentment. He was posted as an instructor to the PAF Academy where he taught air warriors for three years. Then he was finally posted closer to his element at the department of Flight Safety as illustrator and art editor of the department's journal. During his six years with Flight Safety he was in charge of planning and designing titles, layouts, and most importantly illustrations accompanying the narratives from pilots.

It was finally in 2006 that he was transferred to the Air Headquarters in recognition of his artistic ability to capture the intricate details involved in portraying aircraft. 'It is fortunate that I have found myself in this position after years of perseverance and I'm proud to serve the PAF through my art. I'm also proud to continue the rich legacy of the undoubted pioneer Group Captain Hussaini,' he says.

Siraj now has about forty paintings to his credit along with numerous sketches. His favourite and primary medium is oil on canvas, while he is equally at ease with watercolour, pencil sketches, acrylic as well as pen and ink on paper. Some of his masterpieces include tributes to squadrons through portrayal of their history of exemplary service by men and aircraft alike.

A most exciting aspect of his work remains the designs and colour schemes of the PAF aircrafts for ceremonial displays on national days. He has managed to gain recognition from some of the world's renowned aviation artists, including Bill Philips, Keith Ferris, R.G Smith and Ronald Wong, and holds the Fellowship of the American Society of Aviation Artists. He is also a member of the Guild of Aviation Artists, UK.

Past and present of Pakistan Air Force - - A Symbol of Pride For The Nation

Every year, September 7 is celebrated as the Air Force day. On this day in 1965, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) faced its first ever stern test of capability and resilience against a committed offensive of the Indian air Force, and came out successful in thwarting enemy attempts to dominate the war. The script for the remaining days of the war was written on this day and thereafter enacted with exactly similar results – the PAF coming out on top defending well against the Indian Air Force (IAF).



That was the essence of the 1965 war – it was fought as a defensive war by both the air forces of both countries. They did not possess enough capability for a meaningful offensive. Hence, the engagements, howsoever offensively executed — as they should have been — contributed to the effort.

There has been good work in recent years on both sides of the border in analysing and deducing results for each engagement and for each claim of a kill. Myths have been demystified and substance given to fables. This work has mostly been voluntary and must be acknowledged for the assiduous interest of the gentlemen involved on both sides. The detail has helped reconstruct events that normally become fuzzy in a rapidly changing combat scenario making exact enactment difficult. The mere fact that each engagement takes place under a life-and-death eventuality makes it humanly impossible to put into sequence hundreds of minor most movements of the engaged elements. Sometimes, as many as 20 to 25 aircraft in a congested airspace vie to kill the other only to be challenged soon after with another totally new situation.

In terms of strategy though, it was still a defensive war on both sides. Their weapon systems, the best being the Hunter for the IAF and the Sabre for the PAF, were typically, the evolutionary and modernised mutation of the Second World War (WW II) fighters which still centred on close-in dog fights and used the machine gun to down an adversary. The WW II had ended 20 years back and had been followed by the Korean War. The control of air, of which the air superiority is a shade of definition, has remained a key of air warfare for decades, but its applicability has needed to be refined if nothing else for the amount of effort required to garner a semblance of superiority.

Offence was a specialised task and needed specialised equipment; both sides boasted of some post WW II bombers, but for their immense vulnerability to opposing fighters would mostly be employed at night. That, in turn, induced serious errors in accuracy.

Offensive missions in the 1965 war essentially revolved around an airfield attack – an offensive action directly feeding to the objective of air superiority. With its two main missions then, air superiority and tactical support to the army, the PAF and IAF were relegated to being tactical air forces. Their only sense of independent employment was restricted to the flair and independence in their application against each other in the air. Original thought, other than pertaining to air combat, offensive action or its mutation as initiative in employment leading the adversary in the decision loop were still far into the future. In 1971 war, other than the fact that the equipment changed, the essence still remained the same; the two air forces vied for effectiveness as tactical air forces only.

In the rest of the world, the doctrinal debates still revolved around the aspect of control of the air. More specifically, after the Vietnam War, a debate ensued whether or not depending only on a missile was sufficient or was a machine-gun needed as well. The other contributing connotation to the debate were the less-than-satisfactory air combat skills among the American pilots since they were now required to engage from a distance with a missile obviating close combat. This debate saw the introduction of the F-16 in 1976 as the most revolutionary design with unmatched agility, where the platform had the capacity to perform beyond what was understood to be the human threshold. Technology multiplied in quick time to use the capacity enabled by these fourth-generation aircraft.

Thematic campaign designs were replaced with parallel application possibilities; it became possible to engage in numerous missions on a parallel track, and innovation and employment of assets became the order of the day. The way the war had been fought till then changed remarkably. There had to be a new way of fighting air wars and employing the air force. Employment of assets evolved into an employment of force. Those who missed the point were relegated to the bins of irrelevance and hopelessly lagged behind in this new game of combat. Operational intellect became the lynchpin of commanding, controlling and employing forces. Those who didn’t possess the intellectual capacity to comprehend the change stood embarrassingly exposed. They were practically archaic in thought.

The change took its time coming into the PAF. There were certain mutations that would enhance the manner of targeting, but with little diversity and innovation, and still very much within the confines of a tactical support role. Defence and war colleges were heavily skewed in favour of land warfare strategy as the dominant strategy, and most air force participants studiously kept following the tradition. John Warden, 20th century strategist in air warfare, had already designed new thoughts on employment and had practically fought the First Gulf War (1991) under such a doctrine. In the PAF, though, it was in 1998 that the then Air Chief ACM Pervaiz Mehdi began talking about breaking the bind of tactical support role and proffered thought and the ability to use air power in diverse application concurrently to contribute to the national war effort.

This had more to do with using air power as an offensive tool. Offence as the most natural attribute and the enabling option of modern air power needed to find place and expression in doctrines crying for change. The first practical manifestation of the need for this change emerged during the time of ACM Mushaf Ali Mir, who invigorated the offensive spirit in campaign planning which saw minds working overtime in the PAF to introduce employment diversity.

The point that the PAF really began to change to a 21st century air force was, however, during the tenure of ACM Kaleem Saadat. Not only was there doctrinal evolution, the air force was designed and equipped to the needs of the new century as indeed the dictates of future conflict and modern warfare. Practical application of force employment was tested and tried as per revised doctrinal dictates in major exercises. Thankfully, development programmes have continued unabated since then.

The 1965 war may have been a simple affair compared to modern wars, but its combatants were endowed with three great attributes: outstanding skill, a commitment to excellence, and a remarkable sense of self-confidence and self-assurance. Perhaps, it shall have to be in these areas that we will need to restore the great steadied but assuring sense of confidence amongst our personnel. This shall only be possible if they continue to retain faith in the PAF as a system. Professionalism, merit and integrity are the key parameters of enabling and restoring such faith, while nepotism, cronyism and favouritism eat at the core of the great ethos that has been the preserve of this great air force.

Competent leadership shall always remain the key to having a great air force. Personal examples in all essential attributes will need to be put in place including integrity and honesty in decision making. Incompetence breeds insecurity; and insecurity desperately seeks reassurance. That is where the devastating ills of cronyism and nepotism begin to find root.

Defence Day is Celebrated in The Memory of Those Brave Soldiers Who Gave Their Lives For the Defence Of Our Motherland

Defense Day is celebrated on 6th September every year in Pakistan. It is celebrated on the memory of martyred people who gave sacrifices of their life for the defense of the country. Pak - India War II was fought in 1965. This was ended on 6th September and both countries stopped damaging each other by using weapons etc. on 6th September, Defense Day of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. This war affected financially both countries but none of them could really dominate. As Pakistan remained saved, Defense Day is celebrated on 6th September.

Pakistan and India, both countries fought that war for the issue of Kashmir but this issue remained unsolved. A lot of people lost their lives from both countries and a lot of weapons were used. At last on 6th September, this war was ended with the support of UN.

Pakistan celebrates this day yet just for telling native of Pakistan that how people were brave at the critical time and were proud of offering sacrifices of their lives for the defense of Pakistan. Everyone must be wise and brave like martyred people at any critical time. No one should feel any kind of hesitation for offering sacrifice of his life at the time of need.

The day of 6th September starts with special prayers for the peace and prosperity of Pakistan. President and Prime Minister and many ministers of Islamic Republic of Pakistan address on 6th September from special functions of Defence Day.

Army officers like Captain Sarwar Shaheed,Major Tufail Shaheed,Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed, Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed, Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed,Sawar Muhammad Hussain, Lance Naik Mehfooz Shaheed, Shaheed Pilot Officer Rashid Minhas Shaheed, Captain Karnal Sher Shaheed and Havildar Lalak Jan Shaheed gave sacrifices of their life and were awarded with "Nishan-e-Hairder" on 6th September, 1965. Nishan-e-Haider is a special batch which is given to brave martyred people in Pakistan who leave remarkable examples of bravery and sacrifices for nation.

Army of Pakistan displays the latest missiles, tanks, guns, army aviation helicopters and armament being used by Engineers, Electrical and Mechanical Corps, Army Air Defense, Signals, Army Service Corps and Army Medical Corps live on various places. Everyone is allowed to watch such functions live by going to the specific places. These shows are displayed on national channels as well. National songs and special documents about 6th September, 1965 and martyred people of 6th September are displayed on TV. It is told to people how people gave sacrifices for the defence of the country and what is the responsibility of young generation now.

An environment of patriot passion is generated in the whole county on Defense Day. Everyone decides in his mind he will do such works which will be significant for the country and pray for the independence of the country.

Pakistani Nation Celebrated Defence Day as on 6th September 2009

The entire nation along with armed forces Sunday celebrated the Defense Day of Pakistan with renewed pledge to defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan.

A large number of people belonging to various walks of life attended the ceremonies to pay homage to the brave sons of soil who demonstrated indomitable courage and valor in defense of the motherland.

In the southern city of Karachi, change of guards ceremony was held at the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of the nation.

In the eastern city of Lahore, change of guards ceremony was held at the mausoleum of Allma Muhammad Iqbal, the poet laureate whose vision of an independent state for the Muslims of British India was to inspire the creation of Pakistan.

In his message to the nation on Defense Day, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari said that Pakistan faces a security threat from the Taliban and all such designs against the country's integrity will be foiled.

"We will eliminate the Taliban and those who have challenged the foundations of the state. Let there be no doubt about it," he said.

Zardari said that the threats from the Taliban and extremists were a challenge for the country and its foundations.

Referring to Sept. 6, Zardari said that the day would always be remembered as a memorable day, adding, "On this day, we salute to the courage and heroism of our forces and pay homage to our martyrs."

In a separate message, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said that the nation needed to exhibit the spirit of sacrifice of the 1965 war to confront terrorism.

"We will use all our capabilities to its optimum and overcome the challenges we face today," he said.

Gilani said that Pakistan was facing with the threat of terrorism and the entire nation was supporting the armed forces, as they had in 1965.

"Pakistan demands the same spirit of sacrifice and valor which the entire nation and the valiant armed forces had shown during the 1965 war," he said. "The way our gallant officers and men have fought against terrorists is unprecedented."

Gilani said that the country's law enforcing agencies have wiped out the Taliban from Swat and Malakand in the northwest, and also provided invaluable services for the rehabilitation of the internally displaced persons.

"The nation will always remember the sacrifices of the Pakistani armed forces," he added.

Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani said that the country's armed forces are well prepared and fully capable in defense of motherland.