PAF Base Mianwali is named on Air Commodore (Retd) M M Alam

Lahore: Keeping the norms of Pakistan Air Force alive, PAF Base Mianwali was renamed after legendary fighter pilot Air Commodore (Retd) M M Alam today. The august ceremony was graced by Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, as the chief guest. On his arrival at the Base, the Prime Minister was received by Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force.

The ceremony was attended by Federal Minister of Defence Khawaja

Muhammad Asif and Federal Minister of Information Pervaiz Rasheed, parliamentarians, war veterans, former Air Chiefs, family members and course mates of M M Alam,   prominent personalities of the area and a large number of retired and serving senior officers. The Prime Minister unveiled the plaque to rename the Base as “PAF Base M M Alam”.

As per the tradition of Pakistan Air Force, the aircraft held on the inventory of the PAF presented fly past of F-16, Mirage, F-7P, K-8 and JF-17 Thunder aircraft on the occasion. The fly past was led by Officer Commanding Flying Wing Group Captain Fazal ur Rehman Khan.

Addressing the audience at the occasion, the Prime Minister said,” “Pakistan does not harbour aggressive designs against any other country. Our government is clear on this issue that a strong Pakistan with strong armed forcesguarantees regional peace. Being peaceful does not

mean to withdraw from the right of independence. We have to defend our political, economic and cultural sovereignty and every necessary step would be taken to strengthen the country’s armed forces.

While eulogizing the legendary Air Commodore M M Alam, the Prime

Minister further said, “Pakistan’s history was filled with the great heroes who always kept ahead the country’s integrity before their lives. Amongst these national stalwarts were the names whose bravery was acknowledged across the

borders as well. Air Commodore Muhammad Mehmood Alam was a pride of the Pakistan Air Force and other personnel of the PAF must be ready to follow the same spirit of bravery. To be like M.M. Alam does not require being necessarily a pilot rather anyone working in other fields can also adopt the same passion like this air warrior”.

Earlier, talking on the occasion Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt said, “We have the tradition, as well as the capacity, to recognize the sterling

endeavors of  our elders, who have left indelible marks not only in the annals of PAF history, but also rendered, supreme sacrifices in the service of their motherland.        For more than four decades, PAF Base Mianwali has been grooming and training the fighter pilots for PAF, and is rightly called th

e ‘Cradle of Fighter Pilots’. They get trained here to defend our scared frontiers. Association of Air Commodore M M Alam’s name with Base would bear a special significance for these young Shaheens. I am sure that from now on when they leave these premises, they will not only have the strength of professional training that they get here but also carry the inspiration and spark of the Little Dragon that lighted the skies during the September War”.

To pay homage to this iconic fighter pilot, Pakistan Post has issued a commemorative postage stamp on his first death anniversary. The said stamp was also unveiled on the occasion by the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

National heroes like Air Commodore (Retd) M M Alam are the beacons of light that show the way of courage, passion, patriotism and devotion to succeeding generations. His life and achievements will always make us proud as a nation, and he will live in our hearts forever. During Indo Pak war in 1965, M M Alam, rewrote the history of air warfare by shooting down 07 and damaging 03 Indian aircraft in air battles out of which 05  aircraft were shot down in less than sixty seconds. On this act of outstanding bravery and heroism, he was awarded with Sitara-i-Jur’at (with Bar)