Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, who is undertaking his inaugural visits to various PAF bases after assuming the command of Pakistan Air Force, visited PAF Base, Peshawar on Friday. On arrival at the base, he was presented Guard of Honour by a smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Air Force. He also reviewed the parade presented by the Base personnel.
Addressing Airmen, Air Chief Marshal Qamar Suleman said "The first ever fighter squadron of JF-17 Thunder aircraft will be raised and stationed at Pakistan Air Force Base, Peshawar. By the end of 2009, full strength of JF-17 Thunder aircraft squadron, which will also be the first ever squadron in the world, will be operational at PAF Base, Peshawar." While addressing a joint session of Airmen, the Air Chief said "the cardinal points of my vision are integrity, professional excellence and team work.
The top most priority will remain operational preparedness of PAF. He said today, PAF is passing through a transit phase. We will be handling and operating old and new weapon systems of various capabilities, you are required to maintain these assets for their optimum performance. The induction of new systems programme is on track. These systems will be requiring knowledge based training, thus my focus will be on modern training techniques and on flight safety.
All measures and quality assurance procedures must be adopted for preserving the assets of PAF". While talking to the pilots, the Air Chief said, "you are cutting edge of PAF and nation pins high hopes on you to defend, deliver and sacrifice and keep up the glorious traditions of PAF air warriors".