High Mark exercises display power: 'forces fully capable of coping with challenges'

Pakistan Air Force's High Mark Exercises began in Thal area of Jhang district on Tuesday, displaying its power and expertise in aerial capability. The flypast of the fighter jets opened the PAF's fire power. Various practices, including midair refuelling and air-to-land targeting with missiles and bombs were conducted during the exercises.
The refuelling plane has recently been inducted in the PAF fleet. The plane supplied fuel to two Mirages during the drills. Moreover, the plane also displayed the feat of deceiving the enemy's radar. The PAF's JF-17s, F-16s, Mirages, F-7s, PG aircraft, and helicopters took part in the drills among other jets.
The high mark exercises include search-and-relief operation, use of spy planes, expeditious supply of heavy apparatus by transport planes and the ground operation with the help of the PAF in war against terrorism. The high-mark exercises include the display of drone planes being used in ground operation against the extremists in the ongoing anti-terror war in collaboration with the PAF, says a press release of ISPR.
The PAF chief Air Chief Marshal Qamar Suleman said the first phase of the High Mark drills opened on Tuesday and the second phase would start on Wednesday, and added that the Pakistan Air Force is changing itself with the passage of time.The drills are aimed at estimation of the PAF capabilities, he said.
The PAF exercises commenced in mid-March and would last for another two months. The drills, happening every fifth year, are a means to assay the professional capability, expertise and war preparations of the PAF.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar, Chiefs of all armed forces of Pakistan, the high-ups from the Forces' echelons and members of the Parliament attended the opening ceremony. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza on Tuesday said the country's defence forces were fully capable of coping with internal and external challenges and expressed satisfaction over the high state of preparedness of Pakistan Air Force in carrying out anti-terrorist operations.
The Prime Minister was addressing a select audience after witnessing a live fire power demonstration by the aircraft of Pakistan Air Force, marking successful conclusion of the first phase of exercise High Mark 2010. The demonstration, represented by the complete fleet of PAF, reflective of the devastating fire power of the PAF, was performed by F-16, JF-17 Thunder and Mirage aircraft at the PAF Thal Range. The Prime Minister, who took keen interest in exercises of targeting the mock hideouts of terrorists, said that the speed, accuracy and strength of Pakistan Air Force was clearly visible in the demonstration.
He expressed satisfaction that Pakistan Air Force, despite its heavy commitment in the ongoing counter-terrorist operations, and remaining within its own resources, undertook a major exercise High Mark-2010, which shows its full preparedness for its missions, role and task.
He said the event not only portrayed the true potential of Pakistan Air Force but also indicated its superior professionalism, incomparable skills and matchless team work of its air warriors, as well as the vision and planning of its commanders.
Gilani said Pakistan strives for peace in a stable environment, and assured the regional countries that it has no aggressive designs against anyone. "We, however, need to test our defensive capabilities," he said. He said as the nation was presently living in turbulent times, there was need to view the challenges confronting it in the context of changes, which had shaped the geopolitical landscape of the world.
He said while these changes increase mutual stakes through greater interdependence, they also transform global as well as regional security environment in South Asia. "Despite many external and internal challenges, Alhamdolillah, Pakistan has slowly but steadily managed to negotiate the pitfalls, and make a mark for itself on the international scene," he said.
He expressed appreciation for the exemplary commitment, dedication and enthusiasm of PAF personnel, which had made the event possible and extended felicitation to the pilots and the entire personnel at PAF Bases, for making the Firepower Demonstration a success.
The Prime Minister said he was particularly impressed by the superb display of rescue operation by the combined team of PAF and Army commandos that showed their preparedness to professionally tackle a new dimension of threat, with all means at their own disposal.
He said he was aware of the pressing requirements of armed forces, especially the PAF, whose inductions and upgradations required more funding comparatively. "I also realise that this is a necessity, to maintain the cutting edge of a force, which is the 'pride of the nation', and indeed is 'second to none'," he said. Gilani said exercise High Mark-2010 was one such opportunity to validate joint operational concepts, and prayed for the continued prosperity and success of PAF in all its future endeavours for excellence.
Earlier, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Qamar Suleman in his inaugural address said the event marked the end of the first phase of High Mark 2010 exercise, while from Wednesday, the next phase and joint operations with Army would be started.
He mentioned the operations of PAF against terrorists in addition to its routine flying, and said that the PAF was efficiently dealing with the new capabilities. He said changes were necessitated in the doctrine of PAF, and it was now time to test the true potential of the force. He said the exercise would help PAF effectively realise its position and reiterated that it would prove itself in strengthening the defence of the country.
Later the Air Chief presented a memento to the Prime Minister, depicting the exercise High Mark 2010. The High Mark-2010 exercise that began on March 15 and will culminate on May 15, is utilising all of its assets including the freshly inducted squadron of JF-17 Thunder, Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW & CS), air-to-air refueller, UAVs and precision guided munitions, in both offensive and defensive roles.
During the fire demonstration, the PAF showcased its recently acquired air to air refuelling through the IL-76 refueller that fuelled two Mirage aircraft. It was followed by the eye-in-the-sky--SAAB. It was followed by bombing runs that used precision, stand-off and other standard air to surface weapons. The new squadrons of JF 17 also made a bombing pass and hit the bunkers of terrorists.
The PAF aircraft presented a number of fire power demonstrations to expend all weapons in its inventory to test their delivery, efficacy, accuracy and effectiveness under realistic conditions. The exercise was carried out in near-real situation with the objective of training the fighter pilots to avoid collateral damage and inflict maximum damage.
The aircraft also demonstrated tactical flexibility by carrying out successful operations from various sections of Pakistan Motorway. The jet fighters landed, refuelled, rearmed and were re-launched for air operations.'Exercise High Mark 2010' is expected to provide valuable lessons from the full spectrum of air operations that, after evaluation and validation, are likely to improve PAF's weapon employment techniques and enable it to implement fresh tactics to meet the challenges facing Pakistan with renewed vigour.
The exercise is being conducted over the entire country, from Skardu in the North up to the Arabian Sea in the South. It has been tailored to include joint operations with extensive participation from Pakistan Army and Pakistan Navy.
It is designed to achieve stipulated objectives with special emphasis on exposing PAF combat crew to simulated air battles based on contemporary concepts. Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, three Services Chiefs, Minister for Defence and foreign defence attaches also witnessed the awesome fire power demonstration.