No. 4 Squadron PAF

Last updated

The No. 4 AWACS Squadron is a squadron of the Pakistan Air Force's Southern Air Command. It is currently deployed at Masroor Airbase and operates the ZDK-03 radar surveillance aircraft. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

No. 4 Squadron
Pakistan Air Force Shaanxi ZDK-03 (Y-8) inflight.jpg
One of the 4 ZDK-03s of the 4 Squadron flying over Manora, Karachi
Active1958 - 1969
2011 - Present
Disbanded1969 - 2011
CountryFlag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan
AllegianceArmed Forces of Pakistan Flag.svg Pakistan Armed Forces
BranchAir Force Ensign of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan Air Force
TypeSquadron
RoleAirborne command and control
Part ofSouthern Air Command
Airbase PAF Base Masroor
Motto(s)نگاہ وہ ہے کہ محتاج مہر و ماہ نہیں
Mascot(s)A Hawk emitting rays from its eyes
Engagements Indo-Pakistani war of 1965
Operation Swift Retort
Aircraft flown
Utility helicopter H-19D Chickasaw
HH-43B Huskie
Patrol SA-16 Albatross
Transport Bristol Freighter
ZDK-03 AWACS

History

The No. 4 Squadron was raised at PAF Base Mauripur in January 1957 as a search and rescue flight of the No. 12 Composite Squadron consisting of two SA-16 Albatross hydroplanes. In 1959, its fleet was expanded with additional SA-16s, Bristol Freighters, HH-43 and H-19D helicopters which enabled it to function as a separate squadron undertaking the roles of search and rescue, maritime recce and casualty evacuation.

On the outbreak of the 1965 Indo-Pakistani war, the squadron was put on maritime patrol operations working besides the Pakistan Navy tracking Indian ship movements in the Arabian Sea particularly the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier. Additionally, it undertook counter intelligence operations in Karachi with the army.

By 1968, the Freighters were retired and the SA-16s put in storage, however the helicopter fleet continued to fly till March 1969 when the squadron was number plated. [1] [2]

In 2011, the squadron was re-raised with 4 new ZDK-03s. Besides being assigned the role of airborne command and control it was also assigned maritime support duties to the Pakistan Navy. It later participated in various national and international military exercises. In 2019, the squadron flew round the clock surveillance missions as part of Operation Swift Retort. [4] [5] [3]

In 2024, it was reported that the PAF was retiring its ZDK-03 fleet, though the fate of the squadron remains remains unknown. [6]

Exercises

Throughout its service the No. 4 squadron participated in several military exercises both at national and international levels. [1] [3]

National

International

Aircraft Flown

No. 4 Squadron
TypeOperationalAircraftNotes
Hydroplane1957–1968 SA-16 Albatross
Fixed-Wing aircraft1958–1960 Bristol Freighter
Helicopter1958–1969H-19D Chickasaw
Helicopter1958–1960HH-43B Huskie
AEW&C 2011–2024ZDK-03

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coast guard</span> Maritime security organization

A coast guard or coastguard is a maritime security organization of a particular country. The term embraces wide range of responsibilities in different countries, from being a heavily armed military force with customs and security duties to being a volunteer organization tasked with search and rescue without law enforcement authority. In most countries, a typical coast guard's functions are distinct from those of the navy and the transit police, while in certain countries they have similarities to both.

<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">Royal Norwegian Air Force</span> Air warfare branch of Norways armed forces

The Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) is the air force of Norway. It was established as a separate arm of the Norwegian Armed Forces on 10 November 1944. The RNoAF's peacetime establishment is approximately 2,430 employees. 600 personnel also serve their draft period in the RNoAF. After mobilization, the RNoAF would consist of approximately 5,500 personnel.

USS <i>Merrill</i> (DD-976) Spruance-class destroyer

USS Merrill (DD-976), named for Rear Admiral Aaron Stanton Merrill USN (1890–1961), was a Spruance-class destroyer that entered service with the United States Navy in 1978. Merrill served as the US Navy's test platform for the Tomahawk cruise missile. In the 1980s, the destroyer took part in Operation Earnest Will in the Persian Gulf during heightened tensions with Iran. The destroyer was decommissioned in 1998. The vessel was used as a target ship in 2003 and sunk off Hawaii in 2003.

USS <i>Curts</i>

USS Curts (FFG-38) was the twenty-ninth ship of the Oliver Hazard Perry-class of guided-missile frigates. She was named for Admiral Maurice Curts (1898–1976). Curts is the first ship of that name in the US Navy.

USS <i>Fife</i> Spruance-class destroyer

USS Fife (DD-991), a Spruance-class destroyer, was a ship of the United States Navy named for Admiral James Fife, Jr. (1897–1975), a distinguished Submarine Force commander during World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force</span> Maritime warfare branch of Japans military

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, abbreviated JMSDF, also simply known as the Japanese Navy, is the maritime warfare branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, tasked with the naval defense of Japan. The JMSDF was formed following the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) after World War II. The JMSDF has a fleet of 154 ships, 346 aircraft and 50,800 personnel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marineflieger</span> German naval aviation

The Marinefliegerkommando is the naval air arm of the German Navy. It is aircraft flown by the Navy of Germany, and mostly consists of helicopters and fixed-wing maritime patrol aircraft, as well as types of drones. Naval helicopters can operate from ships, and some of their roles include utility and supply tasks, search and rescue, and ASW or naval warfare. The fixed-wing aircraft operate from land bases but will patrol over open water. The Navy also operates training aircraft and unmanned drones. Naval aviation is subordinate to the German Navy, separate from the German Air Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">814 Naval Air Squadron</span> Military unit

814 Naval Air Squadron or 814 NAS, nicknamed the Flying Tigers, is a squadron of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. It is currently equipped with the AgustaWestland Merlin HM2 anti-submarine warfare helicopter and is based at Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Culdrose in Cornwall. The squadron was formed in December 1938 and has been disbanded and reformed several times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pakistan Maritime Security Agency</span> Law enforcement agency under the Pakistan Navy

The Pakistan Maritime Security Agency is a branch of the Pakistan Navy. It is a Navy-managed and Navy-controlled law enforcement agency whose mission is to provide protection to the Pakistan's maritime interests and enforcement of maritime law with jurisdiction over the domestic and international waters of Pakistan including the exclusive economic zone. Pakistan Maritime security agency should not be confused with Pakistan Coast Guards which is security force under Pakistan Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philippine Air Force</span> Air warfare branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is the aerial warfare service branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Initially formed as part of the Philippine Army as the Philippine Army Air Corps (PAAC) in 1935, the PAAC eventually saw combat during World War 2 and was formally separated from the Army in 1947 as a separate service branch of the AFP under Executive Order No. 94. At present, the PAF is responsible for both defending Philippine airspace, and conducting aerial operations throughout the Philippines, such as close air support operations, combat air patrols, aerial reconnaissance missions, airlift operations, helicopter tactical operations, special operations, and aerial humanitarian operations, which includes search and rescue operations. The PAF has also carried out various missions within the country and abroad.

No. 6 Squadron, nicknamed the Antelopes, is a transport squadron of the Pakistan Air Force. It is the PAF's oldest squadron which is currently based at Nur Khan Air Base and operates the C-130 & CN-235 transport aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 9 Squadron PAF</span> Military Unit

No. 9 Squadron, named the Griffins, is a Pakistan Air Force fighter squadron assigned to the No. 38 Multi-Role Wing of the PAF Central Air Command. The squadron is stationed at PAF Base Mushaf, Sargodha. It was the PAF's first fighter squadron and has been commanded by seven Chiefs of Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force. The squadron crest is a red griffin which symbolises strength, aggressiveness, and vigilance. Scrolls around the squadron crest display the battle honours Sargodha 65 and Karachi 71.The Griffins are considered as the PAF's most elite unit as well as its most senior.

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">INS Hansa</span> Airport in Goa, India

INS Hansa, is an Indian naval air station located near Dabolim in Goa, India. It is India's biggest naval airbase. The military air base has a civil enclave, that operates as Dabolim Airport.

Military exercises are conducted by the Pakistan Armed Forces to increase combat readiness, and to identify problems in logistics, training, and current military doctrine. They also test the ability of units to work together. Lastly, they act as a visible expression of military might, which acts as a deterrent to potential enemy action. An important component of each exercise is the after-action assessment. Since 1989 the four branches services have increasingly begun coordinated exercises.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 337 Squadron RNoAF</span> Military unit

The 337 Squadron is a maritime helicopter unit of the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF). Based at Bardufoss Air Station, the squadron most recently operated eight NHIndustries NH90 until June 2022. The helicopters were used by the Norwegian Coast Guard and served on the Nordkapp-class, the Barentshav-class and on NoCGV Svalbard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fleet Air Force (JMSDF)</span> Military unit

In the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), the Fleet Air Force is its naval aviation branch, responsible for both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft and headquartered in Naval Air Facility Atsugi. As of 2012, it was equipped with over 200 fixed-wing aircraft and 150 helicopters. These aircraft operate from bases throughout Japan, as well as from the JMSDF's ships.

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.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "4 Squadron". GlobalSecurity.org . Retrieved 2024-06-15.
  2. 1 2 Hussain, Syed (1982). History of the Pakistan Air Force, 1947-1982. p. 57. ISBN   9780196480459.
  3. 1 2 3 Khan, Farhat; Hashmi, Qadeer (2024). History of the Pakistan Air Force (2014-2023): The Next Generation Air Force (1st ed.). pp. 257–259. ISBN   978-969-7518-01-2.
  4. Ansari, Usman (2015-03-01). "Pakistan Re-equips Squadron With AEW&C Planes". Defense News. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
  5. "PAF inducts Chinese-built warplane". The Express Tribune. 2015-02-27.
  6. "Pakistan's Push to Replace Legacy Air Platforms". Quwa.org. 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2024-06-16.