Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD: In a week where Pakistan Air Force has pounded targets in the tribal areas along its western border, the Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt on Thursday said that the military's air advantage was maintaining combat readiness in pursuit of its assigned mission.
“The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is committed to maintaining combat readiness in pursuit of the assigned mission while ensuring judicious use of resources and preservation of assets.”
Addressing the PAF Annual Safety Review for the year 2013 at Air Headquarters, Islamabad on Thursday, the Air Chief said that there was complete synergy among the supervisors at Air Headquarters and the field commanders.
“The entire air force is training to conduct day and night operations,” he said.
The review was presided over by the Air Chief Marshal and was attended by principal staff officers, regional commanders and supervisors from the field.
The Annual Safety Review is a routine activity during which operational activities are reviewed.
The forum is also used to carry out an in depth study of the standards of flight and ground safety in PAF.
A PAF fighter aircraft crashed in Mandi Bahauddin last month killing both the pilot and the co-pilot, while in October last year a PAF helicopter crashed in Gujranwala injuring both the pilot and co-pilot.
COMMENTS (26)
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@Mamoon Lodhi: I was not expecting the fear (consequences) from a Lodhi
@flyer:
Countries like Vietnam, Somalia, Papua New Guinea....
@Mamoon Lodhi:
One does not require an air force to bring down the unmanned drones; a para glider or releasing several thousand balloons can do the job. Your PAF has a lousy record in intercepting enemy aircrafts entering Pakistan air space.
Rex Minor
We are with you....
@ Sara Khan PAF has repeatedly said that it has the ability to shoot down these drones provided the government gives a go ahead. In recent past, PAF has successfully shot down Indian drones, in fact shooting down a drone doesn't require any high tech technology but it does require high courage & ability to face the consequences especially when the other side is a superpower. Unfortunately our government lacks this courage.
When was the last time you heard about Drones ? I'll tell you what. Most of you probably don't remember. I won't say much. You people are here as usual to find an excuse against Armed Forces and Govt.
@unbelievable: One needs training for precision based surgical strikes especially during night time as built -up areas might need to be hit . A difficult task for rapidly moving fighter jets design to dog fight other enemy planes or large enemy communication and military infrastructure. Plus it's evident that they want to inform general they are Ready when time comes !
'...training to conduct night and day operations...' The air force is suppose to be combat ready art all times. Not start training now for night and day operations. Tells the the truth about real readiness. Real truth just slipped out inadvertently.
@Sara Khan: Sensible criticism is always welcome but 1971 or drone attacks have very little to do with the air force and their current operations in the tribal areas. Do you think PAF is not capable of countering drones? Drones have had approval from highest offices in Pakistan all along and many US Senators have said that over the years. Now, maybe the US is following a different strategy or waiting on a response from Pakistan and that's why the drones have stopped. As far as Abbotabad was concerned, the President of Pakistan had asked PAF to stand down that night... enough said.
Yet again, great moderation by the E.T. moderators, allowing every and any rabid anti-Pakistan comment on its website. It was perhaps, too much to expect a quality comments section here.
@Sara
Why shoot down something that is annihilating the people who're blowing Pakistanis to bits in suicide bomb blasts? No need to shoot down drones. In fact, we now have recon drones of our own.
Sara khan do not pass comments on Armed Forces. These r your politicians they do not want to stop drone just because they want to increase their bank accounts.
What about Abbottabad operation ??? They came, fired for hours next to your major facility, they left in their choppers... and you are talking about readiness???
You even loaded their crashed chopper on your own trailers and returned it to them.
common now.
Just do it.....
sara khan. Go back to afghanistan. PAKISTAN IS READY TO COUNTER ANY THREAT!
@sara khan @ tariq Shoot the drone!! Okayy then what?? Do you know the consequences ?? The edge airforce has over many countries is due to its american technology. If u shoot an american drone , will they sit and protest ?? They will bamboozle you by jamming every system u have Remember beggars can never be choosers Aid bhi leni hae drone bhi maarna hae!! War with america ?? You know the winner.
@Tariq: you nailed it
@unbelievable: Precision is the key. The enemy can't shoot down a plane but is hiding between ordinary people.
Empty rhetoric... we still remember east Pakistan in 1971 and the great surrender.... shoot a tiny drone before you talk Mr. Butt
Shoot down a drone to prove your readiness.
Facts & actions speak louder than words
So, why waited until now?
How much training does one need to fight an enemy who doesn't have the ability to shoot down an airplane?
Dear Marshall can you explain Abbotabad incident and drone attacks.