Four female pilots graduate from PAF Academy

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Abbas Ali
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Four female pilots graduate from PAF Academy

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PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) flew higher still with the graduation of four female pilots on Tuesday.

The proud feat stole the thunder at the convocation ceremony of 116 General Duty (Pilots) Course at the College of Flying Training, PAF Academy Risalpur at its premises.

Governor Khalilur Rehman, who is also the Chancellor of Peshawar University, was the chief guest on the occasion, awarding the BSc degree to the aviation cadets of 116 General Duty (Pilots) course including a pioneering batch of four female pilots.

Aviation Cadet Academy Under Officer Taimoor Khan Jadoon bagged the trophy for the best performance in Humanities, while Aviation Cadet Nadia Gul received the trophy for best performance in Aero Sciences.

In his address, the governor said: "The tremendous advancement in the field of aviation makes it incumbent upon you to remain abreast of the latest innovations in your profession. "Remember, the profession of combat aviation is highly demanding and challenging and to maintain your country’s air arm as ‘second to none, you will need to put in your best efforts to acquire sound professional competence".

The governor said it should be their passion as the guardians of Pakistan’s aerial defence to pursue their professional commitments with total zeal and zest. "You need to constantly remind yourselves that as an ideological nation your true strength lies in the unshakeable faith in Almighty Allah. It is through this divine faith, combined with resolute will and self-reliance that we can acquit ourselves of the sacred trust that the nation has reposed in us," he exhorted them.

He continued: "The supreme ideals of Islam have always been a source of binding inspiration for dedicated work. You must model your lives and conduct on the infallible teachings of Islam."

"Intellect is the resource on which I would like to emphasise. It is power of mind, which enables you to be imaginative and creative in evolving new and better precepts and practices. It must be therefore, your constant endeavour to augment and promote your personal capabilities," he pointed out.

"This, he emphasised, "can only be done through improvement of your creative thinking and cognitive learning. Your organisation will provide ample opportunities to achieve this objective. So make the best possible use of this opportunities, which the PAF has provided you", he said.

Earlier, upon arrival at the Academy, the governor was received by AOC, AVM Inamullah Khan, Commandant of the College, Abid Hussain Khawaja and other senior officers of the Force while the ceremony besides, the Vice Chancellor of Peshawar University, Professor Haroonur Rasheed was also attended by parents of the cadets.

Source: The News
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Post by Abbas Ali »

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RISALPUR: First female air force pilots Flying Officer Saba Khan, left, and Flying Officer Nadia Gul about to take off at the passing out parade of the 116th General Duty Pilot (GDP) Course of PAF in Risalpur.

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RISALPUR: First female air force pilots Flying Officer Mariam Khalil, left, and Flying Officer Saira Batool about to take off at the passing out parade of the 116th GDP Course of PAF in Risalpur.

Women pilots for PAF fighters

RISALPUR, March 30:
Pakistan Air Force on Thursday welcomed the first four women pilots into its cadre with ceremonial pomp and aerial acrobatics at a grand parade watched by the Vice-Chief of Army Staff.

Saba Khan, Nadia Gul, Mariam Khalil and Saira Batool were among 36 aviation cadets who received their wings after three and a half years of intensive training, breaking into an all-male bastion of Pakistan’s armed forces.

“I want to fly fighter jets and prove that girls can equally serve our country in the best possible manner as men are doing,” Flying Officer Gul, 22, said after graduating from the air force’s elite training academy in Risalpur.

Vice-Chief of Army Staff Gen Ahsan Saleem Hyat said the four had “shown the spirit and courage to rise above the ordinary and break new ground for others to emulate.”

“If Pakistan is to rise to the height that it deserves ... both men and women of our beloved land must find equal space and opportunity,” he said.

Carrying rifles and dressed in the same blue uniform as their male colleagues — except for a kameez over their navy blue trousers, and one wearing a headscarf — they paraded before family members and diplomats, and took the military oath.

Two other women — along with nine male cadets — dropped out of the same training course because of air sickness and slow progress. They now work in ground branches of the air force.

The four women are the first women pilots in the 58-year-history of the Pakistan air force. They trained in MFI-17 Super Mushfhak and T-37 jets, and depending on their abilities and the needs of the air force could go on to fly fighter jets.

Three more women are due to get their wings in October, but the air force will see how they perform before deciding whether to induct more women trainees, said Air Cmdr Abid Khwaja, chief of the flight training college.

About 5 percent of Pakistan’s air force officers are women, mostly serving in areas like engineering, medicine, air traffic control and administration.—AP

Photos & info source: DAWN
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Post by Abbas Ali »

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RISALPUR: The first ever batch of female pilots standing in front of a T-37 training jet. (Left to right) Flying Officer Nadia Gul, Flying Officer Saba Khan, Flying Officer Mariam Khalil and Flying Officer Saira Batool after earning coveted flying badges in Pakistan Air Force after the graduation ceremony of 116th General Duty Pilot Course on Thursday.

PAF at cutting edge of defence capability: VCOAS

Pays tribute to four women pilots inducted into PAF

RISALPUR: The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is at the cutting edge of the country’s defence capability and has always lived up to the nation’s aspirations.

Vice Chief of Army Staff Gen Ahsan Saleem Hayat said this while addressing as the chief guest the passing-out parade of the 116th General Duty (GD) Pilot Course here on Thursday.

The unique feature of the parade was the induction of the first-ever batch of four female pilots - Saba Khanam, Nadia Gul, Mariam Khalil and Saira Batool - out of a total of 36 aviation cadets into the air force.

Gen Ahsan expressed delight at the passing out of the first batch of the four lady pilots in the history of the PAF and commended the efforts of the PAF Academy to impart quality training to them.

He also praised the passion, professional competence and endurance of the lady pilots. He said the PAF took lead in the induction of women into the armed forces.

"Pakistani women have immense potential and can achieve distinctions in any field," Gen Ahsan commented. "You are a symbol of pride for the nation," he said, speaking of the four women pilots.

Gen Ahsan hailed the women officers as a tribute to the air force’s elite training academy in the town of Risalpur. He said the four had "shown the spirit and courage to rise above the ordinary and break new ground for others to emulate".

"If Pakistan is to rise to the height that it deserves ... both men and women of our beloved land must find equal space and opportunity," he added.

Carrying rifles and dressed in the same blue uniform as their male colleagues -except for a Kameez (tunic) flapping over their navy blue trousers - they paraded before hundreds of family members and diplomats and took the military oath. "Today I have earned the wings that I have strived for and I am proud," Mariam Khalil said after the ceremony.

Standing in front of a T-37 training jet, Batool described her training as tough but "very thrilling".

"My parents, their prayers and my instructors and above all, Allah Almighty, helped me achieve this success," said Batool.

The four women trained in MFI-17 Super Mushfhak and T-37 jets and, depending on their abilities and the needs of the air Force, could go on to fly fighter jets.

About five per cent of Pakistan’s air force officers are women, mostly serving in areas like engineering, medicine, air traffic control and administration.

Referring to the male officers, Gen Ahsan said as PAF pilots the responsibility of defending the aerial frontiers of the country will now rest on their shoulders and no sacrifice can be too great to defend the honour and sovereignty of Pakistan.

Earlier, the chief guest reviewed the parade and awarded badges to the graduating cadets and trophies and swords of honour to outstanding performers. He also awarded the Quaid-i-Azam Banner to No. 4 Squadron for being the champion squadron. The trophy for best performance in general service training was awarded to cadet Taimoor Khan Jadoon.

Female cadet Nadia Gul was awarded with the Asghar Hussain Trophy for best performance in academics, while the Chief of Air Staff Trophy for best performance in flying was given to Iraj Jamal.

The graduation ceremony ended with a display of immaculate and thrilling aerobatics by the flyers of Karakoram-8 (K-8 Academy Hawks) and T-37 aircraft (Sher Dils). The spectators greatly appreciated the skills and mastery of PAF aviators.

Photo & info source: The News
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Post by Abbas Ali »

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RISALPUR: Flying Officers stand in front of T-37 training jets after becoming the first four women to get their wings as pilots in Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on Thursday.

PAF’s first 4 women fighter pilots graduate

RISALPUR:
Defence services are a challenging and daunting job but our aim to join Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is to serve Pakistan, said Saba Khan, one of the four women general duty (GDP) pilots who are the first women to earn flying badges from PAF.

Talking to reporters after the passing out parade at the PAF Academy, Khan, flanked by Nadia Gul, Mariam Khalil and Saira Batool, said that they were proud of joining PAF as cadets. They urged women to join air force “because it is an attractive and honourable service”.

The four women pilots joined the PAF Academy in October 2002 and during three-year stay they had gone through demanding general service training. Two of them are from Quetta, one from Peshawar and one from Bahawalpur. Air Commodore Abid Khawaja told reporters that the women pilots performed well in all fields during their training. He said although they faced some difficulties at the start of their training, they made rapid improvement to overcome all hurdles with hard work and dedication.

He said they had gone through strenuous academic education and rigorous flying training on MFI-17 Super Mushshak and T-37 Jet aircraft. He added that three more women pilots were getting training at the PAF Academy under the 117th GD Course and would pass out within six months. Khawaja said the induction of women GD pilots had been stopped. “We want to check operational fitness of these women officers after which a decision about the induction of more women officers would be taken,” he said.

Vice Chief of the Army Staff General Ahsan Saleem Hayat was the chief guest at the graduation ceremony. The VCOAS staff awarded the Quaid-e-Azam Banner to the 4th Squadron. The trophy for the best performance in General Service Training went to Cadet Taimoor Khan Jadoon. Female Cadet Nadia Gul was awarded with Asghar Hussain Trophy for best performance in academics. The Chief of Air Staff’s Trophy for Best Performance in Flying was lifted by Iraj Jamal. The graduation ceremony also included display of immaculate and thrilling aerobatics by the flyers of Karakoram-8 (K-8 Academy Hawks) and T-37 aircraft (Sherdils). APP

Photo & info source: Daily Times
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chaklala
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Post by chaklala »

From Sky News.

Quite a thrilling moment in Pakistan's history:

http://www.sky.com/skynews/video/videop ... 84,00.html# =D>
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