PAF Base M.M. Alam
Major Operational Base
Location Details
Wing
Squadrons Based Here
Runways
History
1 April 1920: RAF No. 27 Squadron operated with de Havilland DH.9A (until 14 April)
April 1920 - March 1923: RAF No. 60 Squadron detachment with Airco DH.10/10A Amiens
November 1919 - March 1920: RAF No. 97 Squadron detachment with DH.10
26 September 1919 - 1 April 1920: RAF No. 99 Squadron with DH.9A
Originally WWII airstrip, known as RAF Mianwali
1965: Upgraded to satellite airbase for PAF Base Sargodha as alternate recovery airfield during Indo-Pak War
October 1971: Became operational, first commanded by Group Captain S. M. Dutta
1971 Indo-Pak War: Operated Shenyang F-6 and other aircraft types
1971 War: Pilots and anti-aircraft gunners shot down 5 enemy aircraft
First three days of 1971 War: Base came under regular attacks
August 1974: Upgraded to permanent operational airbase
1974-1977: Construction of facilities completed, first base commander Wing Commander Sultan Muhammad
November 1975: No. 1 Fighter Conversion Unit (FCU) transferred from PAF Base Masroor
1975: FCU began fighter conversion training using FT-5 dual-seat training aircraft
Over 500 fighter pilots graduated since 1975
November 1976: No. 14 Squadron transferred to Mianwali for operational conversion from FT-5 to F-6
August 1986: No. 14 Squadron selected for F-16, transferred away and replaced by No. 25 Squadron
1980s: Further construction and unit transfers
5 January 2012: No. 1 FCU re-equipped from veteran FT-5 to modern K-8P trainer aircraft
20 March 2014: Renamed PAF Base M.M. Alam after fighter ace Muhammad Mahmood Alam
Participated in 1965 Indo-Pakistani War
Participated in 1971 Indo-Pakistani War
Participated in Operation Sentinel
Participated in Operation Swift Retort
Important Events
RAF squadrons operated from Mianwali: Nos. 27, 60, 97, 99 with DH.9A, DH.10, Amiens aircraft
During Indo-Pakistani War, upgraded to satellite airbase for PAF Base Sargodha as alternate recovery airfield
Became operational under Group Captain S. M. Dutta during Indo-Pakistani War
Pilots and anti-aircraft gunners shot down 5 enemy aircraft; base regularly attacked during first three days
Upgraded to permanent operational airbase under Wing Commander Sultan Muhammad
No. 1 Fighter Conversion Unit transferred from PAF Base Masroor, began FT-5 training
No. 14 Squadron transferred for F-6 operational conversion training
No. 1 FCU re-equipped with modern K-8P fighter trainer, retiring veteran FT-5 aircraft. Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman attended ceremony
Renamed PAF Base M.M. Alam in honor of 1965 war veteran fighter ace Muhammad Mahmood Alam
Location on Map
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