PAF Base M.M. Alam

M.M Alam Air Force Base, Mianwali
Logo of PAF Base M.M. Alam
Summary
Airport typeMilitary
OwnerGovernment of Pakistan
OperatorPakistan Air Force
LocationMianwali
OccupantsPakistan Air Force
Elevation AMSL690 ft / 210 m
Coordinates32°33′47″N 71°34′15″E / 32.56306°N 71.57083°E / 32.56306; 71.57083
Map
M.M Alam Air Force Base, Mianwali is located in Pakistan
M.M Alam Air Force Base, Mianwali
M.M Alam Air Force Base, Mianwali
Location in Pakistan
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
06R/24L 10,161 3,097 Asphalt
06L/24R 10,348 3,154 Asphalt

Pakistan Air Force Base, M.M. Alam (IATA: MWD, ICAO: OPMI) is a Pakistan Air Force airbase located at Mianwali, in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The base is named after Muhammad Mahmood Alam. Earlier it was called PAF Base Mianwali, its name was changed in 2014.[1][2][3]

History[edit]

Originally a World War II airstrip, it was decided that Mianwali would be upgraded into a satellite airbase for PAF Base Mushaf (then PAF Base Sargodha) during the 1965 Indo-Pak War to act as an alternate recovery airfield.[1] The airbase became operational in October 1971[1] and was first commanded by Group Captain S. M. Dutta. Aircraft of different types, including the Shenyang F-6, were operated from the base during the 1971 Indo-Pak War. Pilots and anti-aircraft gunners of Mianwali airbase shot down 5 enemy aircraft during that conflict, the first three days of which the base came under regular attacks.[4][5]

The airbase was again upgraded to a permanent operational airbase in August 1974,[1] although construction of facilities was not completed for another three years. The first base commander was Wing Commander Sultan Muhammad. During November 1975, the No.1 Fighter Conversion Unit (FCU) was transferred to Mianwali airbase from PAF Base Masroor where it began fighter conversion training using the FT-5 dual-seat training aircraft. Over 500 fighter pilots have since graduated.[1]

In November 1976, No.14 Squadron was transferred to Mianwali airbase for operational conversion of graduates of the No.1 Fighter Conversion Unit from dual-seat to the Shenyang F-6 single-seat fighter aircraft. When No.14 Squadron was selected to operate the F-16 in August 1986, it was transferred away from Mianwali airbase and replaced by No.25 Squadron. Further construction of facilities and transfer of units to the base took place during the 1980s.[1]

On January 5, 2012, No. 1 Fighter Conversion Unit re-equipped, after end of long and illustrious services rendered by veteran Chinese FT-5 fighter trainer aircraft. No 1 FCU, is now being re-equipped with modern state-of-the-art K-8P fighter trainer aircraft.

Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force was the Chief Guest at the occasion. In this regard the advanced and focused training at No 1 FCU on K-8P aircraft would assist Pakistan Air Force to remain an air force second to none.[2][3]

Base Commander[edit]

Name Rank Decorations In Office
Azman Khalil Air commodore Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) 2016-2018
Tahir Rafique Butt Air commodore 2001-2003
Sultan Muhammad Wing Commander 1975-1977

Renaming of airbase[edit]

The airbase was renamed as "PAF Base M.M. Alam" on 20 March 2014 after the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965 veteran Muhammad Mahmood Alam.[6][7][8]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f "PAF Base M. M. Alam (old name before 2014 - PAF Mianwali)". GlobalSecurity.org website. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  2. ^ a b M. Asif (25 March 2014). "M.M. Alam base". Dawn newspaper. Archived from the original on 26 April 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  3. ^ a b "PAF grounds ageing trainer aircraft". Dawn newspaper. 5 January 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  4. ^ Iqbal, Saghir (16 April 2018). Miscalculation: Risks of Inadvertent Nuclear War: Miscalculation: Risks of Inadvertent Nuclear War. Saghir Iqbal. p. 16. ISBN 978-1-7170-4040-4.
  5. ^ PAF Mianwali Airbase (now renamed as PAF Base M.M. Alam). Pakistan Air Force Handbook via Google Books website. pp. 47, 48 and 49. ISBN 1-4387-3702-5.
  6. ^ "Pakistan not sending troops to Bahrain or Saudi: PM". Dawn newspaper. 20 March 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  7. ^ "PAF honours ace pilot MM Alam, renames Mianwali air base after him". The Express Tribune newspaper. 20 March 2014. Archived from the original on 4 May 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  8. ^ "M.M. Alam: a hero for ever". Dawn newspaper. 23 March 2013. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
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