Regional environment demands ever-vigilant PAF role: air chief

ISLAMABAD: Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, said on Monday that presently in the face of security challenges, PAF’s preparedness and response have to be precise and expeditious keeping in view the regional environment which demanded an ever-vigilant role.
Addressing the closing ceremony of the Inter-Squadron Armament Competition held at an
Operational Air Base, where No-11 Multirole Squadron won the PAF Inter Squadron Armament Competition, he said.
“Our regional environment demands an ever vigilant role for PAF. Presently, in the face of security challenges, our preparedness and response has to be precise and expeditious.” He said it is through the rigorous training imparted by such competitions that we look forward to maintain the cutting edge of the PAF.
While highlighting the role of PAF in the operation against terrorism the Air Chief said, PAF’s performance is receiving world-wide acclaim in the ongoing operation Zarb-e-Azb against the extremist elements.
“We are proud to claim that PAF leaves no stone unturned to meet the expectation of the nation and defend the aerial frontiers of Pakistan in the most befitting manner.”
The Air Chief said, “This competition provides the unique opportunity to participants from various Weapon Systems, to exhibit their finest skills in the realm of delivering a wide variety of Air-to-Ground arsenals.
It also serves well to attain the singular aim of developing a culture of professional expertise and maintaining exceptional precision in weapon deliveries.
During the competition PAF fighter pilots from all weapon systems exhibited highest level of professionalism through sound planning, optimum employment and unmatched pin point weapon deliveries.
After a close competition No-11 Multirole Squadron achieved highest score and was awarded the Armament Competition Trophy.
Squadron Leader Tariq Waheed Malik was awarded the coveted Sher Afgan Trophy for being the best marksman in the competition.
The competition commenced on November 16, 2015. All PAF Fighter Squadrons were evaluated for operational readiness under competitive environment and assessed for weapon system performance in various tactical scenarios including weapon deliveries at tactical range.
This year competition was special with the inclusion of JF-17 Thunder, F-16 Block-52 and F-16 in the exercise. The main highlight of the competition was exceptional performance by the Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force with the participating crew during closing ceremony of Inter Squadron Armament Competition at an Operational Air Base and it reaffirmed its position as the frontline fighter of the PAF.