PAF celebrates Defence Day of Pakistan at its all Bases

Lahore: Defence Day of Pakistan was celebrated at all PAF Bases in a befitting manner. The year has been marked as the Golden Jubilee of 1965 war, when PAF vanquished a three times large Indian Air Force and wrote an epic of unmatched valor and sacrifice. The auspicious day was observed with a renewed pledge and determination to make “Fizaia” even more stronger and potent force to face any challenge. The day started with special Du’a and Quran Khawani for the Shahuda at all PAF Bases.  A special feature of the day was the change of guards ceremony at the Mazar of Quaid-e-Azam in Karachi.  Aviation Cadets from Pakistan Air Force Academy, Risalpur assumed guard duties at the Mazar to honour the Father of the Nation.

On the occasion of Defence Day Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force said in his message, “We are a resilient nation, which has always proved its worth in difficult times, whether those were natural calamities or an imposed armed conflict, as in 1965. Though, we are a peace loving nation, but we know how to thwart the heinous attempts that disrupt our peaceful way of life and certainly, our strength is in this resolve. Today, let us re-pledge to make Pakistan a truly dynamic and prosperous country by firmly following the great Quaid’s golden principles of Unity, Faith and Discipline as our national ideals. On this occasion, I would like to assure you that Pakistan Air Force, with state-of-the-art equipment on its inventory and a highly capable workforce, is fully prepared to defend the aerial frontiers of its motherland”.

Aerial and static display of PAF aircraft and ammunition was held at PAF Base, Nur Khan (Rawalpindi), PAF Base, Masroor (Karachi), PAF Base, Peshawar, PAF Base, Samungli (Quetta) and PAF Base Lahore.  Students form Fazaia schools and colleges presented National songs.  A large number of visitors including children witnessed the aerial and static display at the PAF Bases.

A special PAF aerobatics display to commemorate Golden Jubilee of PAF’s victory during 1965 war was also held at Fatima Jinnah Park, Islamabad.

Mr. Mamnoon Hussain, President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan was the chief guest at the occasion. PAF’s fighter and training aircraft including F-16, JF-17 Thunder, Mirage, K-8 and Super Mashak participated in the solo aerobatics show. A stunning aerobatics display of 09 ship K-8 formation of “Sherdils”, the aerobatics team of Pakistan Air Force Academy, was also the main feature of the celebrations. The spectators thoroughly enjoyed the breathtaking maneuvers of these aircraft and showed their appreciation by clapping and chanting slogans. Aviation Cadets from PAF Academy, Risalpur presented aerobatics on Para Motor Gliders. Army Aviation helicopters also performed during the event. In the end Commandos from the Special Services Wings of the three services presented a free fall display and safely landed amidst chanting crowds present at the venue.