JACOBABAD: Pakistan Air Force (PAF) achieved a significant milestone after its No 88 Search and Rescue squadron was re-equipped with AW-139 (AgustaWestland) helicopters on Saturday.
With the addition of these state-of-the-art helicopters to its inventory, PAF’s Search and Rescue squadron had been renamed as No 88 Combat Support Squadron and Advanced Helicopter Training School, said a press release issued by the PAF Media Affairs Directorate.
To mark this significant event in the glowing history of PAF, a ceremony was held at PAF base here in Jacobabad. Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman was the chief guest on the occasion.
During the ceremony, the air chief reviewed a smartly turned-out guard of honour by the personnel of the base. A three-ship formation, comprising 01 MI 171 and 02 AW 139 Augusta, helicopters presented the flypast over the venue.
Speaking on the occasion, the air chief said, “PAF, after an in-depth analysis of the Search and Rescue platforms available worldwide, selected AW-139 as the most effective solution for our requirements. The state-of-the-art machines that we have added to our inventory is a manifestation of stern commitment of PAF towards modernisation and capability enhancement.
“I firmly believe that this will become a stepping stone to achieving more complex capabilities. The AW-139 promises a feature of enhancing PAF capability due to its versatile roles. The vision of taking Helo fleet of PAF into the 21st century could not have been achieved in any other way,” he added.
He said, “Today, the long-awaited vision of PAF to acquire night and maritime Search and Rescue capability has been achieved with the AW-139 helicopters”. The addition of AW-139 helicopters would considerably enhance the operational capabilities of this squadron which was flying vintage MI 171 helicopters earlier.
Being a pioneer squadron of AW-139 helicopters in PAF, it would also serve as a conversion unit for young pilots to train them on this new system. High ranking military officials along with civil dignitaries also attended the ceremony.
