No. 15 Squadron PAF

Last updated

No. 15 Squadron
Cobras
PAF No 15 Squadron logo.jpg
Active1955–present
CountryFlag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan
AllegianceArmed Forces of Pakistan Flag.svg Pakistan Armed Forces
BranchAir Force Ensign of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan Air Force
Type Squadron
Role Tactical Attack
Airbase PAF Base Minhas
Nickname(s)Cobras
Motto(s)اژدر شعلہ فشاں
(Urdu for 'Fire spitting cobras')
Mascot(s)A Cobra
Aircraft Chengdu J-10C
Engagements
Commanders
Current
commander		 Wing Commander Imtiaz Rahim Shehzada
Insignia
Patch Cobra15 patch.png
Patch for Zilzal-II [a] Cobra15 Zilzal-II patch.png
Aircraft flown
Attack Dassault Mirage VPA
Fighter North American F-86F Sabre
Shenyang F-6
Chengdu J-10C
Interceptor Chengdu F-7P
Reconnaissance Dassault Mirage-IIIRP
Dassault Mirage-VDR
Trainer Lockheed T-33
Dassault Mirage-IIIDA

The No. 15 Squadron, nicknamed Cobras, is a tactical attack squadron of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). The Squadron is currently based at PAF Base Minhas in Kamra, Punjab, Pakistan and equipped with Chengdu J-10C multirole fighter jets. The Squadron also carries the honour of achieving the first kill for the PAF. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Contents

History

No. 15 Squadron was established on 5 June 1956 at PAF Base Mauripur as a tactical attack squadron.

Operational history

1959 Indian aerial intrusion

On 10 April 1959, while most of Pakistan was celebrating the holy day of Eid ul-Fitr, an Indian Canberra B(I)58 from the 106 Squadron entered Pakistani airspace on a photo reconnaissance mission. Two PAF F-86F Sabres (flown by Flt. Lt. M. N. Butt as the leader and Flt. Lt. M. Yunis as the wingman) from the No. 15 Squadron on Air Defence Alert were scrambled from PAF Base Peshawar to intercept the IAF aircraft. Butt attempted to bring down the Canberra by firing his Sabre's 50 cal machine guns, but the Canberra was flying at an altitude of more than 50,000 feet—beyond the operational ceiling of the F-86F. When Yunis took over from his leader, the Canberra suddenly lost height while executing a turn over Rawalpindi. Yunis then fired a burst from his F-86 (Serial# 55-005) machine guns that struck the Canberra at an altitude of 47,500 feet and brought it down over Rawat, marking the first aerial victory of the PAF. Both crew members of the IAF Canberra ejected and were captured by Pakistani authorities. [7] [8] [9]

1965 War

When hostilities broke out over the disputed Kashmir region, the No. 15 Squadron while equipped with F-86 Sabre jet fighters was deployed at PAF Base Sargodha. From there the squadron performed various combat missions including Close Air Support sorties. On 1 September, the IAF scrambled 12 De Havilland Vampire strike fighters and 14 Dassault Mystere IV fighter-bombers in an attempt to slow down the Pakistani Advance in the Chamb-Jourian sector. On the request of the Pakistan Army, two F-86 Sabres, each armed with a couple of AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles were scrambled to intercept the Indian aircraft. In the ensuing dogfight, Flight Lieutenant Imtiaz Bhatti from the No. 15 Squadron shot down two Indian Vampires over Chumb while Squadron Leader Sarfaraz Rafiqui from the No. 5 Squadron shot down another two Vampires. The remaining Indian aircraft managed to escape. This dogfight was a major blow to the Indian Air Force since it had to recall all Vampires and Mysteres from frontline service. [10] [11] [12]

Soviet-Afghan War

During the Soviet Afghan war, Soviet and Afghan warplanes would occasionally cross into Pakistani airspace while pursuing Afghan Mujahideen forces which usually resulted in Pakistani infrastructure and Afghan refugee camps getting bombed. Resultantly, the squadron was deployed at Peshawar Airbase for Air Defence Alert duties. Throughout its service at Peshawar, the Squadron's fighters intercepted enemy warplanes only twice. First a Soviet Ilyushin Il-26 on 1 March 1980 and on the second occasion, its fighters intercepted a couple of Mig-21s in February 1986. However, on both occasions the Squadron's pilots were ordered not to engage them. [13]

2019 Jammu and Kashmir airstrikes

In February 2019, the Indian Air Force bombed a wooded area in Balakot after violating Pakistan's airspace. In response, then Prime Minister Imran Khan ordered the Air Force to perform retaliatory airstrikes on Indian military installations at Indian Administered Kashmir. The retaliatory airstrikes were codenamed "Operation Swift Retort" and for this purpose Two Dassault Mirage-VPAs armed with H-4 SOW Glide bombs and two dual seat Dassault Mirage-IIIDAs from the No. 15 Squadron were deployed for this mission. In the early hours of 27 February, the No. 15 Squadron carried out the airstrikes while JF-17s and F-16s from other squadrons provided escort and CAP. The Mirage-VPAs dropped their payload while the Weapon Systems Officer seated in the Mirage-IIIDAs guided the bombs to their respective targets, However they were ordered to drop the bombs on open fields near their intended targets since the purpose of the operation was to make India aware about Pakistan's capability to strike back at any aggression. The mission was a success and all aircraft returned safely. Later, the officers from the squadron who participated in this operation including the OC received gallantry awards. [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Air exercise in Qatar in 2024 [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pakistan Air Force</span> Aerial service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces, tasked primarily with the aerial defence of Pakistan, with a secondary role of providing air support to the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Navy when required, and a tertiary role of providing strategic airlift capability to Pakistan. As of 2024, as per the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the PAF has more than 70,000 active-duty personnel. PAF stands as the eight largest Air Force in the world. PAF is the largest Air Force of the Muslim world in terms of aircraft fleet. Its primary mandate and mission is "to provide, in synergy with other inter-services, the most efficient, assured and cost effective aerial defence of Pakistan." Since its establishment in 1947, the PAF has been involved in various combat operations, providing aerial support to the operations and relief efforts of the Pakistani military. Under Article 243, the Constitution of Pakistan appoints the President of Pakistan as the civilian Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Armed Forces. The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), by statute a four-star air officer, is appointed by the President with the consultation and confirmation needed from the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian Air Force</span> Aerial service branch of the Indian Armed Forces

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflicts. It was officially established on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary air force of the British Empire which honoured India's aviation service during World War II with the prefix Royal. After India gained independence from United Kingdom in 1947, the name Royal Indian Air Force was kept and served in the name of the Dominion of India. With the transition to a republic in 1950, the prefix Royal was removed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pakistan Air Force Museum</span> Museum in Karachi, Pakistan

Pakistan Air Force Museum Faisal is the official museum of the Pakistan Air Force located on the south-western edge of PAF Base Faisal near Karsaz Flyover on Shahrah-e-Faisal at Karachi. The museum is the only military aviation museum in Pakistan, with more than 50 aircraft, radars and missiles on display. The museum draws thousands of visitors each day making it one of the most frequently visited tourist attractions in Karachi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 22 Squadron IAF</span> Military unit

No. 22 Squadron (Swifts) was a CAS unit based out of Hasimara AFS. Along with No. 222 Squadron IAF Tiger Sharks, No. 22 Squadron forms a part of the 16 Wing of the IAF. The squadron operated the MiG-27 till December 2017 and the squadron number-plated since then.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 7 Squadron IAF</span> Military unit

No. 7 Squadron IAF operates as a Special Munitions Delivery and air superiority unit. Based at Gwalior AFB, No. 7 Squadron forms a part of 40 Wing AF, Central Air Command.

East Pakistan Air Operations covers the activity of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and Pakistan Army Aviation units in former East Pakistan during the Bangladesh Liberation War. The operations involved the interdiction, air defense, ground support, and logistics missions flown by the Bangladesh Air Force, Indian Air Force, and the Indian Navy Aviation wing in support of the Mukti Bahini and later Indian Army in Bengal.


The No. 3 Squadron IAF (Cobras) of the Indian Air Force (IAF) operates as a Close Air Support (CAS) and reconnaissance unit. Currently based at NAL Air Force Station, it falls under the Western Air Command, and forms the 46 wing of the IAF.

The Indian Air Force was established on 8 October 1932 independently of the army and navy and in a similar format to the British Royal Air Force. It had been a recommendation of the Skeen Committee, which had been tasked to look into demands for the Indianisation of the Indian army. Its first squadron was raised on 1 April 1933.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indo-Pakistani air war of 1965</span> Armed conflict between India and Pakistan

During the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965, the Indian and Pakistani Air Forces engaged in large-scale aerial combat for the first time. In the air war, which took place in September, both air forces conducted thousands of defensive and offensive sorties over Indian and Pakistani airspace. Both India and Pakistan claimed victory in the air war; Pakistan claimed to have destroyed 104 Indian aircraft and lost 19, and India claimed to have destroyed 73 Pakistani aircraft and lost 35 of its own. The air war ended in a stalemate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 11 Squadron PAF</span> Pakistan Air Force fighter squadron

No. 11 Squadron, named the Arrows, is a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter squadron assigned to the No. 39 Multi-Role Wing of the PAF Southern Air Command. It operates the Block 15 MLU model of the F-16 Fighting Falcon with a multi-role tasking and is also an Operational Conversion Unit (OCU).

The history of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) began when it was established in 1947 following the independence of Pakistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 24 Squadron PAF</span> Military unit

The No. 24 Electronic Warfare Squadron, nicknamed the Blinders, is an electronic warfare unit of the Pakistan Air Force equipped with DA 20EW Faclons. It is the PAF's only Electronic Warfare squadron and undertakes EW, ECM and ESM missions while also training Pilots, Air Defense controllers and engineering officers in EW environments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 26 Squadron PAF</span> Pakistani air force unit

The No. 26 Squadron, nicknamed the Black Spiders, is a multi-role squadron of the Pakistan Air Force's Northern Air Command. It is currently based at Peshawar Airbase and operates the PAC JF-17 Thunder multirole fighter jets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 45 Squadron IAF</span> Military unit

No. 45 Squadron Indian Air Force is a Fighter Squadron internally based at Sulur AFS, Tamil Nadu. The squadron operates the indigenous HAL Tejas fighter from 1 July 2016. The squadron was initially based at Bangalore, Karnataka and later shifted to its main base in Sulur from 1 June 2018.

On 27 February 2019, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) conducted six airstrikes at multiple locations in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The airstrikes were part of the PAF military operation codenamed Operation Swift Retort and were conducted in retaliation to the Indian Air Force (IAF) airstrike in Balakot just a day before on 26 February.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 8 Squadron PAF</span> Military unit

No. 8 Squadron, nicknamed the Haiders, is a tactical attack squadron from the No. 32 TA Wing of the Pakistan Air Force's Southern Air Command. It is currently deployed at Masroor Airbase and operates the JF-17A Multi-role fighter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 14 Squadron PAF</span> Air superiority squadron of the Pakistan Air Force

The No. 14 Squadron, nicknamed Tail Choppers, is an air superiority squadron of the Pakistan Air Force's Central Air Command. It is one of PAF's most decorated squadrons which earned its nickname after a daring strike mission on the Kalaikunda Air Force Station during the 1965 War. Currently, the Squadron is deployed at PAF Base Rafiqui and operates the PAC JF-17 Thunder multirole aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 25 Squadron PAF</span> Flying squadron of the Pakistan Air Force

The No. 25 Squadron, nicknamed Eagles, is a tactical attack squadron from the No. 34 Wing of the Pakistan Air Force's Central Air Command. It is currently deployed at Rafiqui Airbase and operates ROSE upgraded Dassault Mirage-5EF aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 17 Squadron PAF</span> Military unit

The No. 17 Squadron nicknamed Tigers, is an air superiority squadron of the Pakistan Air Force's Northern Air Command. It is currently deployed at Peshawar Air Base and operates the Chengdu F-7PG aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1959 Canberra shootdown</span>

The Canberra shootdown incident occurred on 10 April 1959, when an English Electric Canberra B(I)58 of the Indian Air Force was shot down by an F-86F Sabre of the Pakistan Air Force over Rawat, near Rawalpindi while performing a aerial reconnaissance mission. This incident is regarded as the first aerial kill of the Pakistan Air Force.

References

  1. ↑ https://www.hilal.gov.pk/view-article.php?i=8342#:~:text=Exercise%20Zilzal%2DII%20serves%20as,promoting%20peace%20through%20mutual%20cooperation. [ bare URL ]
  2. ↑ "No. 15 Squadron PAF". GlobalSecurity.org .
  3. ↑ "No. 15 Squadron pt.1". PakDef.info. Archived from the original on 26 December 2008.
  4. ↑ "No. 15 Squadron pt.2". PakDef.info. Archived from the original on 26 December 2008.
  5. ↑ Air Commodore Muhammad Ali (8 November 2022). "Enter the Dragon Beginning of a New Era". Second To None.
  6. ↑ "Remembering the sacrifices of our martyrs". The Express Tribune . 5 September 2021.
  7. ↑ "PAF Sabre Draws First Blood". DefenceJournal. Archived from the original on 11 January 2001.
  8. ↑ "The First Blood, Rawalpindi". Pakistan Air Force. 10 April 1959. Archived from the original on 26 August 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  9. ↑ PAF Over the Years (Revised ed.). Pakistan: Directorate of Media Affairs, Pakistan Air Force. June 2007. p. 34.
  10. ↑ "No. 15 Squadron PAF". PakDef.info. Archived from the original on 26 December 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  11. ↑ "Wars in the Mach 2 Era 1961-1970". PAF Over the Years (Revised ed.). Directorate of Media Affairs, Pakistan Air Force. June 2007. p. 43.
  12. ↑ "Air Force's fiery foray into aerial combat". TribuneIndia.com. 31 August 2015.
  13. ↑ Air Commodore A HAMEED QADRI. "PAKISTAN'S AFGHAN WAR AIR STRATEGY AND OPERATIONS". Defence Journal. Archived from the original on 28 January 1999.
  14. ↑ Kaiser Tufail (1 June 2019). "Pulwama-From Bluster to a Whimper".
  15. ↑ "'Another Day of Pride for the Pakistan Air Force: February 27, 2019". Casstt.com. Archived from the original on 26 September 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  16. ↑ "Operation Swift Retort one year on". Keymilitary.com. 19 March 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  17. ↑ "PAF's Operation Swift Retort - Feb 27 continues to haunt IAF". Daily Times. 27 February 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  18. ↑ Kaiser Tufail (26 February 2021). "IAF's Balakot Disaster Two Years On".
  19. ↑ "PAF celebrates 2nd anniversary of Operation Swift Retort today at AHQ". Tribune.com.pk. 27 February 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  20. ↑ "PAF pilots who downed Indian jets receive Pakistan's gallantry awards – VIDEO". En.dailypakistan.com.pk. 6 September 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.