In 1905, the British constructed Miranshah Fort to control North Waziristan. It was built using sun-dried mud bricks, and was occupied by the Tochi Scouts. Through the years, the fort faced tribal raids. However, in 1919, the 3rd Afghan War led to the Afghans raiding Waziristan, and tribes rose up. Following this, over 10,000 troops of Indian Army were deployed to re-establish British control. Five Royal Air Force squadrons begun strafing and bombing attacks on the tribes, operating mainly Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2C, Bristol F.2B Fighter, de Havilland DH.9, and other DH bombers. 1,300 men were killed, and the bombings led to the conflict ending.[1]
Establishment
Following this success, in November 1923, the British government made Miranshah a Royal Air Force Base, using the existing fort to house RAF personnel. By 1925, the North side of the fort was constructed along with a runway to carry out operations in Waziristan. Technical buildings were installed to accommodate and maintain the equipment of two squadrons. The buildings included hangars, store-rooms, workshops, offices, and tents to house personnel. By 1925, Miranshah was used by the RAF to conduct air operations against tribesmen, known as the Pink's War. Ever since, the RAF maintained a flight at Miranshah for operations in the Northwest frontier. However, by 1937, flights were exclusively undertaken by Squadrons 5, 20, 28, 31, and 60. These squadrons remained for two months on a rotational basis.[1]
The mud fort consisted of high walls, containing the headquarters, hangars, officers mess, and tented accommodation. There were guard towers equipped with powerful searchlights, and aircraft were kept within the fort. Outside the fort was an L-shaped airstrip measuring 800 yards (732 meters). When a flight took place, the door of the fort was to be opened, and an aircraft would taxi in and out to the airstrip. RAF Miranshah was also located 3,000 feet high and surrounded by hills, which made it prone to severe storms, accompanied by hail. This made flying in the area difficult and dangerous. In 1940, Miranshah was put under control of RAF Kohat, commanded by IAF officers from August 1943 to June 1947.[2][1]
Dardoni Camp
Adjacent to the runway was the Dardoni Camp. It served as a British army installation, and the airfield was originally named after it.[3] Between 1936-37, the 113th (Dardoni) Pack Battery and the 13th (Dardoni) Mountain Battery of the 25th Indian Mountain Regiment was stationed at the camp during the North West Frontier campaign.[4][5]
Counter-Insurgency Operations
In 1950, the Pakistan Air Force and the Tochi Scouts of Pakistan's paramilitary Frontier Corps carried counter-insurgency operations in the airfield. PAF No. 14 Fighter-bomber Squadron was stationed at the airfield, tasked to contain the insurgency in the tribal areas of North Waziristan. There was a weapons firing range for the PAF, located next to the airfield.[6]
Map of Miranshah including the airfield and former camp.
By 1958, Miranshah Airfield was used by Hawker Fury Fighter Aircraft, and was able to accommodate approximately 10,000 gallons of jet fuel. The airfield consisted of 8 hangars, two concrete/macadam runways, and received Category "A" maintenance by the PAF.[7]
On 13 July, 1985, two defecting Afghan Mi-24 helicopters landed at Miranshah Airfield.[8]
Units
The following lists the squadrons based in Miranshah Airfield:
No. 5 Squadron RAF detachments between 22 January 1925 and 15 December 1928, May 1930 to March 1931 and 15 October 1935 to 26 February 1941 with the Wapiti then Hart[9]
No. 11 Squadron RAF detachments between 22 January 1929 and 7 August 1939 with the Wapiti then Hart[10]
No. 20 Squadron RAF detachments between 5 January 1925 and 2 March 1942 with the Bristol F.2B Fighter, Wapiti, Audax and Lysander II[11]
No. 27 Squadron RAF detachments between 20 April 1923 and October 1940 with the DH.9A, Wapiti, Tiger Moth and Hart[12]
No. 28 Squadron RAF detachments between 15 December 1926 and 13 August 1930, 23 April 1937 and 31 January 1942 with the Bristol F.2B Fighter, Wapiti, Audax and Lysander II[13]
No. 39 Squadron RAF detachments between 22 January 1929 and 12 August 1939 with the DH.9A, Wapiti and Hart[14]
No. 60 Squadron RAF detachments between March 1923 and 3 March 1939 with the DH.9A and Wapiti[15]
No. 659 Squadron RAF detachment between 12 January 1946 and 1 January 1947 with the Auster V[16]
Present
In 2008, Miranshah Airfield and Dardoni Camp was marked abandoned on a topographic map of Landar prepared by the US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.[17] Today, Miranshah Airfield is used for both, civil and military operations.[18]
Jefford, C.G. (2001). RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912 (2nded.). Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife Publishing. ISBN1-84037-141-2.
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