PAF Base M.M. Alam explained

M.M Alam Air Force Base, Mianwali
Iata:MWD
Icao:OPMI
Type:Military
Owner:Government of Pakistan
Operator:Pakistan Air Force
Location:Mianwali
Occupants:Pakistan Air Force
Elevation-F:690
Elevation-M:210
R1-Number:06R/24L
R1-Length-F:10,161
R1-Length-M:3,097
R1-Surface:Asphalt
R2-Number:06L/24R
R2-Length-F:10,348
R2-Length-M:3,154
R2-Surface:Asphalt
Pushpin Map:Pakistan
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Pakistan

Pakistan Air Force Base, M.M. Alam 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]

History

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.[2] [3]

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.[4] [5]

Base Commander

NameRankDecorationsIn Office
Azman Khalil Air commodore Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military)2016-2018
Tahir Rafique Butt Air commodore2001-2003
Sultan Muhammad Wing Commander1975-1977

Renaming of airbase

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]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: PAF Base M. M. Alam (old name before 2014 - PAF Mianwali). dead. 21 December 2023. GlobalSecurity.org website. 16 May 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20231221043628/https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/pakistan/mianwali.htm.
  2. Book: Iqbal, Saghir . Miscalculation: Risks of Inadvertent Nuclear War: Miscalculation: Risks of Inadvertent Nuclear War . 2018-04-16 . Saghir Iqbal . 978-1-7170-4040-4 . 16 . en.
  3. Book: PAF Mianwali Airbase (now renamed as PAF Base M.M. Alam). 20 March 2009 . 47,48 and 49 . en. 978-1-4387-3702-7.
  4. News: M.M. Alam base. dead. Dawn newspaper. 25 March 2014. 26 April 2014. M. Asif. 17 May 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20140426234855/https://www.dawn.com/news/1095452.
  5. News: PAF grounds ageing trainer aircraft. 17 May 2024. Dawn newspaper. 5 January 2012.
  6. News: Pakistan not sending troops to Bahrain or Saudi: PM. 20 May 2024. Dawn newspaper. 20 March 2014.
  7. News: PAF honours ace pilot MM Alam, renames Mianwali air base after him. The Express Tribune newspaper . dead . 20 March 2014 . 16 May 2024. 4 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230504011027/https://tribune.com.pk/story/685226/paf-honours-ace-pilot-mm-alam-renames-mianwali-air-base-after-him/.
  8. News: M.M. Alam: a hero for ever . https://web.archive.org/web/20230424135406/https://www.dawn.com/news/797345/m-m-alam-a-hero-for-ever . 24 April 2023. Dawn newspaper . 23 March 2013. 2024-05-16. dead.