Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal, Rao Qamar Suleman said on Thursday that Pakistan Air Force will continue to lay emphasis on realistic operational training for its combat crews to meet future challenges.
In his address to the graduating combat commanders at the graduation ceremony of Combat Commanders' Course held at PAF Base Mushaf here, he said that time and again, it has been proved that a better trained professional side can offset the limitation of numbers and equipment to a great extent.
"This is our core strength. It is for this reason that PAF will continue to lay emphasis on realistic operational training for its combat crews," he said. The Air Chief Marshal further said, the nature of aerial warfare continues to change and increase in complexity both in the area of operation and scale of hostilities, adding, "We have already seen the effectiveness of the air power in the ongoing operations in Fata." He said any future interstate conflict in our region would entail the employment of air power in an unprecedented manner. It is for this reason, that our force structure and operational training must continue to evolve progressively to meet the future challenges, he added.
Rao Qamar said notwithstanding the importance of quality military hardware, the competence to squarely face technologically and numerically superior adversary comes through realistic, devoted and persistent training.
He on the occasion awarded certificates and trophies to the graduating officers who underwent a strenuous and professionally demanding course. The Chief of the Air Staff Trophy for the best combat commander was awarded to Squadron Leader, Tahir Mehmood while Air Officer Commanding Air Defence Command Trophy for the best combat Controller was awarded to Squadron Leader, Junaid Haq.