General Raheel Sharif praises PAF, promises more cooperation between the two forces

He was speaking at ceremony in Sargodha that marked re-equipment of PAF with ex-Royal Jordanian F-16 aircrafts.

SARGODHA: Hours after the aerial bombing by military jet planes in North Waziristan on Wednesday killed at least 32 militants, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif was singing praises of the Pakistan Air Force and promised more cooperation between the two forces.

"In the event of military conflict an effective air force creates a favourable fighting environment for the national military effort and provides a position of advantage," he said while speaking at a ceremony in Sargodha that marked the re-equipment of 19 Squadron of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) with ex-Royal Jordanian F-16 aircrafts.

Commenting on the efforts against the fight against terrorism, the army chief further said that PAF and Pakistan Army were committed towards greater integration and cooperation in order to get the desire effects in this regard.

Praising the PAF, Sharif remarked that the "PAF has always maintained the highest state of operational preparedness and professional excellence."

The army chief said that "this day will surely be remembered as a landmark in the history of sherdils of PAF."

He further added that the country's air force has "measured up to the expectations of the people in safeguarding the sacred soil and skies of Pakistan."

Speaking about the improvement in the relationship between the Pakistan and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan as a result of the provision of new aircrafts, the COAS said that the "transfer of these fighting falcons on mutually beneficial terms has further strengthened the historic relationship."

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