PAF Base Kohat
Non-Flying Base
Location Details
Runways
History
1922: RAF Station Kohat commissioned to counter tribal threats in Frontier Province
One of three RAF stations in area (alongside Peshawar and Risalpur)
1920s: Nos. 27 and 60 RAF Squadrons based here with Westland Wapitis
Served as administrative wing and maintenance wing for fighter-bomber operations
1925: HQ building, aircraft/supply hangars, MI room, armory, swimming pool constructed
1938: No. 16 and No. 17 Squadrons stationed at RAF Kohat
Originally rectangular grass landing field, expanded in 1939
Main hangar demolished to expand runway
Featured control tower called "watch office"
Officers mess constructed with stables for officers horses
WWII: Served as major staging post for RAF and IAF squadrons deploying to Burma front
1947: Following independence, all RAF units withdrawn, commanded by Pakistani officers
Served as flying base with additional training function
1961: No. 9 (Fury) Squadron withdrawn
1963: Ceased dual function, became primary training base
Currently serves as training base for PAF airmen
Important Events
RAF Station Kohat commissioned to meet tribal threats in Northern and Western Frontier Province
Major infrastructure construction including hangars, armory, and swimming pool
No. 16 and No. 17 Squadrons stationed at base
Landing field expanded, main hangar demolished to extend runway
December 19: Field Marshal Sir Claude Auchinleck visited and inspected IAF airmen guard of honor
RAF units withdrawn after Pakistan independence, became PAF Base Kohat
No. 9 (Fury) Squadron withdrawn
Ceased flying operations, transitioned to primary training base only
February 20: Air Chief Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir and 16 others killed when Fokker F27 crashed into hills near base. Among deceased were two Air Vice-Marshals and his wife
August 6: Two PAF personnel and child injured in bomb blast near airbase on Kohat Road
Location on Map
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