Pakistan Air Force launched countrywide Exercise "High Mark-2010" here on Monday. Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force disseminated the Air Tasking Orders (ATO) to all Pakistan Air Force units. The High Mark-2010 exercise would cover the entire country from Skardu in the North to Arabian Sea in the South, the spokesman said.
The participation of Pakistan Army and Navy would further enhance the capability of the joint operation, besides augmenting co-operation amongst them, the spokesman of Pakistan Air Force said. New indications like JF-17 Thunder and force multipliers, such as Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C) Saab-2000 aircraft and Air-to-Air Re-fuelling aircraft are participating in the exercise for the first time.
High Mark-2010 is aimed at conducting operations in near-realistic tactical environment, while integrating new indications and providing role-oriented training to combat and support PAF, he said.
The exercise was designed to achieve stipulated objectives with special emphasis on exposing PAF combat crew to simulated air battles based on contemporary concepts. All the Main Operating Bases and Forward Operating Bases are participating in the exercise.
Exercise High Mark is PAF's biggest operational event being conducted after 5 years. The ever-changing geo-political environment in the region demands change in the employment concepts and doctrinal changes in the application of air power with emphasis on joint operations.