Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and Army are capable of carrying out joint operations to safeguard the country and PAF will continue to ensure operation preparedness and protection of the country, said Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman here on Saturday.
"PAF will continue to maintain its optimum operational readiness to undertake all types of missions against all internal and external threats to ensure safety and security of the country," Chief of Air Staff said while presiding over the Annual Safety review for 2008.
"Pakistan Air Force is capable of providing instant support to Pakistan Army as and when directed by the Government. To keep PAF at the highest state of Operational Readiness' is my number one priority," he maintained.
"For me, 'Operational Readiness' is nothing but realistic training, coupled with correct procedures and safe practices. I will endeavour to make PAF a professionally trained force, ready to undertake operations at all times and capable of producing desired results safely, which would serve as deterrence in peacetime and a potent force during war," Rao Qamar said, adding that these characteristics would provide us with the means to ensure National Security of Pakistan.
Stressing the need for conducting safe operations, he said, "with little more efforts and involvement, our goal of 'Zero Avoidable Accident Rate' is an achievable aim. This platform of Annual Safety Review provides us an opportunity to evaluate our performance, identify our mistakes and correct them by adopting professional approach for achieving our goal."
The Flight Safety Review is an annual feature in which major accidents of the previous year are analysed in detail and adequacy of remedial measures is reviewed.
During the current review, an analysis of the Flight Safety Programme of the PAF was given by Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Safety) Air Commodore Pirzada Kamaluddin and Director Flight Safety Group Captain Muhammad Nadeem Sabir. A review of operational activities of PAF was presented by Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Operations) Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Hassan.
Pakistan Air Force persistently worked for pulling off Zero Avoidable Accident Rate in 2008. During this year, the rate of accidents kept below the average of last 30 years despite enhanced flying activity.
The Safety Management Centre of Pakistan Air Force remained exhaustively engaged in exploring and debating on the latest safety concepts at national and international fora, which rendered positive effects on the Safety Management of PAF. PAF is committed to safeguard its precious human and material resources through modern mechanisms and concerted human efforts at all tiers.
Rahim Khan Inter Base Safety Trophy for overall best performance for 2008 was awarded to Pakistan Air Force Base, Minhas. The trophy was received by Base Commander of Minhas Air Commodore Sohail Aman. PAF Base Mushaf was declared first in Sports domain while PAF Base Chaklala stood second. The Annual Safety review for 2008 was attended by Principal Staff Officers, Regional Commanders and field officers.