List of Pakistan Air Force squadrons

The following is a list of all active aircraft squadrons of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), sorted by type. Squadrons are listed by their current names and roles.

This article contains dynamic lists that may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

## Aerial Refueling Squadrons

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Squadron  | Nickname  | Role  | Command  | Wing  | Date Established  | Base  | Aircraft  | Notes

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No. 10 Squadron  | Bulls | Multi-role Tanker Transport  | Air Defence Command  | 35 Composite Air Transport Wing  | 15 August 1959  | PAF Base Nur Khan | Il-78MP | [1]

## Aerobatics Display Squadrons

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Squadron  | Nickname  | Role  | Command  | Wing  | Date Established  | Base  | Aircraft  | Notes

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PAF Formation Aerobatics Team | Sherdils | Aerobatics Display  | Air Defence Command  | College of Flying Training  | 17 August 1972  | PAF Academy Asghar Khan | K-8P |
PAF Falcons | Falcons | Aerobatics Display  |  | College of Flying Training  | 1956 - 1966  | PAF Base Mauripur | F-86 Sabre |
Paybills |  | Aerobatics Display  |  |  | 1952 - 1958  | PAF Station Drigh Road | Supermarine Attacker |

## Airborne Early Warning Squadrons

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Squadron  | Nickname  | Role  | Command  | Wing  | Date Established  | Base  | Aircraft  | Notes

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No. 3 Squadron  | Angels | AEW&C  | Northern Air Command  | 33 Tactical Wing  | 1 July 1957  | PAF Base Minhas | Saab 2000 Erieye | [2]
No. 53 Squadron |  Hawks | AEW&C  | Southern Air Command  | 41 Tactical Wing  | 1 July 2021  | PAF Base Bholari | Saab 2000 Erieye

## Combat Squadrons

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Squadron  | Nickname  | Role  | Command  | Wing  | Date Established  | Base  | Aircraft  | Notes

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No. 2 Squadron | Minhasians | Multi-role  | Southern Air Command  | 32 Tactical Attack Wing  | 15 April 1956  | PAF Base Masroor | JF-17 | [3][4][5][6][7][8]
No. 5 Squadron | Falcons | Multi-role  | Southern Air Command  | 39 Tactical Wing  | 15 August 1947  | PAF Base Shahbaz | F-16C/D Block 52+ | [3][9]
No. 7 Squadron | Bandits | Tactical Attack  | Central Air Command  | 38 MR Wing  | June 1960  | PAF Base Mushaf | Mirage III ROSE I |
No. 8 Squadron | Haiders | Multi Role  | Southern Air Command  | 32 TA Wing  | 11 May 1960  | PAF Base Masroor | JF-17 Block lll | [10]
No. 9 Squadron | Griffins | Multi-role  | Central Air Command | 38 MR Wing  | 3 January 1944  | PAF Base Mushaf | F-16AM/BM | [3][11]
No. 11 Squadron | Arrows | Multi-role  | Southern Air Command  | 39 Tactical Wing  | 1 January 1949  | PAF Base Shahbaz | F-16 AM/BM | [12]
No. 14 Squadron | Tail Choppers | Air Superiority  | Central Air Command  | 34 TA Wing  | 1 November 1948  | PAF Base Rafiqui | JF-17 | [13][7][8]
No. 15 Squadron | Cobras | Multi-role  | Northern Air Command  | 33 Tactical Wing  | 5 June 1955  | PAF Base Minhas | J-10C | [3][14]
No. 16 Squadron | Black Panthers | Multi-role  | Northern Air Command  | 33 Tactical Wing  | April 1957  | PAF Base Minhas | JF-17 Block lll[15] | [16]
No. 17 Squadron | Tigers | Air Superiority  | Northern Air Command  | 36 TA Wing  | 1 April 1957  | PAF Base Peshawar | F-7PG | [3][17]
No. 18 Squadron | Sharp Shooters | Operational Conversion  | Southern Air Command  | 41 Tactical Wing  | 1 February 1958  | PAF Base Bholari | JF-17

JF-17B

| [18][19]
No. 19 Squadron | Sherdils | Operational Conversion  | Southern Air Command  | 41 Tactical Wing  | 1 February 1958  | PAF Base Bholari | F-16 ADF | [20]
No. 20 Squadron | Cheetas | Officers Conversion Unit  | Northern Air Command  | 37 CT Wing  | 31 August 1981  | PAF Base MM Alam | F-7PG | [3][17]
No. 22 Squadron | Ghazis | Operational Conversion  | Southern Air Command  | 31 TA Wing  | June 1984  | PAF Base Rafiqui | Mirage IIIEL/DL | [21]
No. 26 Squadron | Black Spiders | Multi-role  | Northern Air Command  | 36 TA Wing  | 30 August 1967  | PAF Base Peshawar | JF-17 | [22][23]
No. 28 Squadron | Phoenixes | Multi-role  | Western Air Command  | 31 AS Wing  | 28 February 2018  | PAF Base Samungli | JF-17 | [24][25]

## Combat Commanders' School Squadrons

[edit]

Main article: Combat Commanders' School

Squadron  | Nickname  | Role  | Command  | Wing  | Date Established  | Base  | Aircraft  | Notes

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CCS F-16 Squadron (No. 29 Squadron)  | Aggressors | Advanced Air Combat Tactics Development & Training  | Central Air Command  | PAF Airpower Centre of Excellence  | 16 July 1988  | PAF Base Mushaf | F-16A/B MLU  | [26][27][28]
CCS JF-17 Squadron  | Dashings | Advanced Air Combat Tactics Development & Training  | Central Air Command  | PAF Airpower Centre of Excellence  | 26 January 2015  | PAF Base Mushaf | JF-17A/B  | [29][30][31][27]
CCS Mirage Squadron  | Sky Bolts | Advanced Air Combat Tactics Development & Training  | Central Air Command  | PAF Airpower Centre of Excellence  | 5 May 1976  | PAF Base Mushaf | Dassault Mirage IIIEA, Dassault Mirage 5PA  | [26][27]

## Electronic Warfare Squadrons

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Squadron  | Nickname  | Role  | Command  | Wing  | Date Established  | Base  | Aircraft  | Notes

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No. 24 Squadron | Blinders | EW  | Central Air Command  | 38 MR Wing  | December 1962  | PAF Base Mushaf | Falcon 20 |

## Search and Rescue Squadrons

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Squadron  | Nickname  | Role  | Command  | Wing  | Date Established  | Base  | Aircraft  | Notes

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No. 81 Squadron | Kangaroos | SAR  | Northern Air Command  | 36 TA Wing  | 1965  | PAF Base Peshawar | Alouette III | [32]
No. 82 Squadron  | Stallions | Combat Support  | Central Air Command  | 38 MR Wing  | 1967  | PAF Base Mushaf | AW139 | [32]
No. 83 Squadron  | Kites | SAR  | Central Air Command  | 34 TA Wing  | 1972  | PAF Base Rafiqui | Alouette III | [32]
No. 84 Squadron  | Dolphins | Combat Support  | Southern Air Command  | 32 TA Wing  | 1968  | PAF Base Masroor | AW139

Mi-171Sh

| [32]
No. 85 Squadron  | Saviours | SAR  | Southern Air Command  | 31 AS Wing  | 12 March 1968  | PAF Base Samungli | Alouette III | [32]
No. 86 Squadron  | Ababeel | SAR  | Northern Air Command  | 37 Combat Training Wing  | October 1983  | PAF Base M. M. Alam | Alouette III | [32]
No. 87 Squadron  | Dragonflies | SAR  | Northern Air Command  | 33 Tactical Wing  | July 1997  | PAF Base Minhas | Alouette III

Mi-171Sh

No. 88 Squadron | Rams | Combat Support  | Southern Air Command  | 39 Tactical Wing  |  | PAF Base Shahbaz | AW139 | [33]

## Training Squadrons

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Squadron  | Nickname  | Role  | Command  | Wing  | Date Established  | Base  | Aircraft  | Notes

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No. 1 Squadron | Rahbers | Fighter Conversion Unit | Northern Air Command  | 37 Combat Training Wing  | 28 April 1975  | PAF Base M. M. Alam | K-8P | [34]
No. 18 Squadron | Sharp Shooters | Operational Conversion  | Southern Air Command  | 41 Tactical Wing  | 1 February 1958  | PAF Base Bholari | JF-17

JF-17B

| [35][36]
No. 19 Squadron | Sherdils | Operational Conversion  | Southern Air Command  | 41 Tactical Wing  | 1 February 1958  | PAF Base Bholari | F-16 ADF | [37]
No. 20 Squadron | Cheetahs | Operational Conversion  | Northern Air Command  | 37 Combat Training Wing  | March 1956  | PAF Base M. M. Alam | F-7PG |
No. 22 Squadron | Ghazis | Operational Conversion  | Southern Air Command  | 32 TA Wing  | June 1984  | PAF Base Masroor | Mirage IIIEL/DL | [38]
1 PFT Squadron  |  | Primary Training  | Air Defence Command  | Primary Flying Training Wing  | 1947  | PAF Academy Asghar Khan | Mushshak |
2 PFT Squadron  |  | Primary Training  | Air Defence Command  | Primary Flying Training Wing  | 1947  | PAF Academy Asghar Khan | Mushshak |
1 BFT Squadron  |  | Basic Training  | Air Defence Command  | Basic Flying Training Wing  | July 1974  | PAF Academy Asghar Khan | T-37B/C |
2 BFT Squadron  |  | Basic Training  | Air Defence Command  | Basic Flying Training Wing  | July 1974  | PAF Academy Asghar Khan | T-37B/C |
1 AJT Squadron |  | Advanced Training  | Air Defence Command  | Advanced Jet Training Wing  | 1994  | PAF Academy Asghar Khan | K-8P |
Flying Instructors School  |  | Instructor Training  | Air Defence Command  | College of Flying Training | 15 April 1952  | PAF Academy Asghar Khan | T-37 | [39]
Helicopter Flying Training School  |  | Helicopter Conversion  | Northern Air Command  | 36 TA Wing  | 1995  | PAF Base Peshawar | Alouette III | [40]
Shooter Squadron |  | LIFT  | Northern Air Command  | 37 Combat Training Wing  | 11 December 2017  | PAF Base M. M. Alam | F-7P | [41]
Transport Conversion School  |  | Transport Conversion  | Air Defence Command  | 35 Composite Air Transport Wing  | April 1975  | PAF Base Nur Khan | C-130 | [42]

## Transport Squadrons

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Squadron  | Nickname  | Role  | Command  | Wing  | Date Established  | Base  | Aircraft  | Notes

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No. 6 Squadron | Antelopes | Air Mobility  | Air Defence Command  | 35 Composite Air Transport Wing  | 1 December 1942  | PAF Base Nur Khan | C-130B/E/L-100 | [43]
No. 12 Squadron | Burraqs  | VIP Transport  | Air Defence Command  | 35 Composite Air Transport Wing  | March 1950  | PAF Base Nur Khan | GIV-SP

Citation Excel

| [44][45]
No. 21 Squadron | Globe Trotters | Air Transport  | Southern Air Command  | 40 Air Mobility Wing  | 15 November 2006  | PAF Base Faisal | C-130E

Saab 2000

| [46][47]

No. 41 Squadron | Albatross  | VIP Light Communication  | Air Defence Command  | 35 Composite Air Transport Wing  | June 1966  | PAF Base Nur Khan | Phenom 100

Y-12II

No. 52 Squadron | Markhors | Air Transport  | Air Defence Command  | 35 Composite Air Transport Wing  | 14 March 2020  | PAF Base Nur Khan | CN-235-220 | [48]

## Unmanned Squadrons

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Squadron  | Nickname  | Role  | Command  | Wing  | Date Established  | Base  | Aircraft  | Notes

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No. 60 Squadron  | Pegasus  | Reconnaissance  |  | No. 42 Wing  | April 2007  | PAF Base Murid | GIDS Shahpar | [49]
No. 61 Squadron  |  | Armed reconnaissance  |  | No. 42 Wing  | April 2007  | PAF Base Murid | NESCOM Burraq, Shahpar-I
No. 62 Squadron  | Hoopoes  | ISR & OCU |  | No. 42 Wing  | September 2003  | PAF Base Murid | Selex ES Falco
No. 63 Squadron  | Harriers  | ISR | Northern Air Command  |  | 10 August 2021  | PAF Base MM Alam | CAIG Wing Loong II
No. 64 Squadron  |  | ISO  | Northern Air Command  | No. 42 Wing  | March 2022  | PAF Base Murid | Bayraktar TB2
No. 65 Squadron  | Knights  | Multi-role  |  | No. 42 Wing  | March 2023  | PAF Base Murid | Bayraktar Akinci

## See also

[edit]

* Pakistan portal
* Aviation portal

* List of Pakistan Air Force bases
* List of Pakistan Air Force air defence squadrons
* List of Pakistan Air Force wings
* Pakistan Air Force
* Pakistan Naval Air Arm

## References

[edit]

### Footnotes

[edit]

1. ^ Warnes, Alan (July 2010). "On The Edge". Air Forces Monthly (July 2010). United Kingdom: Key Publishing Limited: 56. Archived from the original on 6 June 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2010. "Last year saw the delivery of the first Il-78 Midas air-to-air refueller and also the first Russian aircraft into the inventory – hence the R in front of the serial. The newly established 10 Multi Role Tanker Transport Sqn at Chaklala operates the aircraft, which will be joined by a second example."
2. ^ Warnes, Alan (July 2010). "On The Edge". Air Forces Monthly (July 2010). United Kingdom: Key Publishing Limited: 59. Archived from the original on 6 June 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2010. "After years of trying to acquire a much needed airborne early warning platform, Pakistan's first Saab 2000 Erieye was officially inducted into service, with 13 Squadron, on December 29, 2009. A second example followed in late April and the third and fourth will follow by the end of the year."
3. ^ a b c d e f Umair Aslam (4 February 2022). "Pakistan Air Force Conducts National Air Defense Exercise". DefenseTalks.com.
4. ^ "Pakistan's PAF Re-equip Squadron No 2 Minhas With JF-17". Archived from the original on 21 November 2015.
5. ^ Pike, John. "Squadron". globalsecurity.org. Archived from the original on 2016-12-29.
6. ^ Dawn.com, APP (20 August 2015). "44 years ago today: Rashid Minhas takes his plane down for Pakistan". dawn.com. Archived from the original on 10 January 2018.
7. ^ a b Herk, Hans van (11 November 2020). "Pakistan JF-17 Thunder unit shuffles". www.scramble.nl. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
8. ^ a b "Pakistan JF-17 Thunder unit shuffles". 11 November 2020.
9. ^ "Pakistan receives last batch of F-16 combat jets". www.f-16.net. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
10. ^ Gp Capt SULTAN M HALI. "B-57 THE INTREPID BOMBER OF PAF". Defence Journal. Archived from the original on 15 May 2012. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
11. ^ "9 sqn "Griffins" (PAF)". www.f-16.net. Archived from the original on 29 June 2010. Retrieved 11 April 2010.
12. ^ "F-16 Units - PAF 11th squadron". www.f-16.net. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
13. ^ Dawn.com (2017-02-16). "PAF No.14 'Tail choppers' Squadron re-equipped with JF-17 Thunder jets". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
14. ^ "Six China-made J-10C jets inducted into PAF". Dawn. 12 March 2022.
15. ^ "Pakistan's air Black Panthers received JF-17 Block 3 killers". 2023-03-01. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
16. ^ "JF-17 build-up progresses". 12 April 2011. Archived from the original on 31 December 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
17. ^ a b "Final Salute to F-6". Archived from the original on 2008-03-26. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
18. ^ "PAC Kamra rolls out final 14 JF-17B fighters for Pakistan Air Force". Janes.com. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
19. ^ "[image]". encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com.
20. ^ "Pakistan receives first five F-16s from Jordan". www.f-16.net. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
21. ^ "PAF pays tribute to martyrs, ghazis of 1971 war". 14 December 2021.
22. ^ "No. 26 Squadron PAF Re-Equips with JF-17". Pakistan Air Force Official Website. Archived from the original on 2022-08-26. Retrieved 2022-09-27.
23. ^ Warnes, Alan (July 2011). "JF-17 – Thunder from the East". Air Forces Monthly (#280). Key Publishing: 47–70.
24. ^ "PAF remembers creation of JF-17-equipped No 28 MR Squadron". Tribune.pk. 1 March 2022.
25. ^ "PAF raises new JF-17 squadron at Samungli". geo.tv. Archived from the original on 2018-03-01.
26. ^ a b Pakistan Air Force, The Story of the Pakistan Air Force 1988-1998: A Battle Against Odds, Islamabad: Shaheen Foundation, 2000 (p. 290)
27. ^ a b c "Orbats".
28. ^ "Pakistan tries to flex muscles; Creates PAF's "Aggressor Squadron" along the border with India in the Mushaf area". 20 March 2019.
29. ^ "Pride of Pakistan JF-17 Thunder inducted into PAF CCS". The Nation. 2015-01-27. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
30. ^ "JF-17 Thunder aircraft inducted in PAF Combat Commanders' School". 26 January 2015.
31. ^ "JF-17 Thunder inducted in PAF Combat Commanders School | SAMAA".
32. ^ a b c d e f "No. 81-86 Squadrons of PAF". GlobalSecurity.org.
33. ^ "PAF's No 88 squadron equipped with Augusta helicopters - Associated Press of Pakistan". Archived from the original on 2018-03-06. Retrieved 2018-03-05.
34. ^ "Re-equipment Ceremony of No 1 FCU, held at PAF Base Mianwali, Islamabad". Pakistan Air Force. Archived from the original on 2012-04-30.
35. ^ "PAC Kamra rolls out final 14 JF-17B fighters for Pakistan Air Force". Janes.com. Retrieved 2021-03-09.
36. ^ "[image]". encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com.
37. ^ "Pakistan receives first five F-16s from Jordan". www.f-16.net. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
38. ^ "PAF pays tribute to martyrs, ghazis of 1971 war". 14 December 2021.
39. ^ "Flying Instructors School (FIS)". www.joinpaf.gov.pk. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
40. ^ "Helicopter Flying Training School". www.joinpaf.gov.pk. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
41. ^ "Air Chief Inaugurates Shooter Squadron at PAF Base MM ALAM". Pakistan Air Force Official Website. 11 December 2017. Archived from the original on 26 August 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
42. ^ "Transport Conversion School". www.joinpaf.gov.pk. Retrieved 2020-04-04.
43. ^ "No. 6 Squadron 75th Anniversary (PAF Events)". Pakistan Air Force Official Website. Archived from the original on 2022-08-26. Retrieved 2022-09-27.
44. ^ "DGPR Pakistan Air Force". Instagram (Press release). 22 August 2021.
45. ^ Group Captain (R) Husseini & Pakistan Air Force. PAF over the Years (Revised ed.). Directorate of Media Affairs, Pakistan Air Force.
46. ^ "PAF's cargo ship participates in International Air Tattoo show". Khyber News. 2017-07-13.
47. ^ Air Cdre (Rtd.) Muhammad Ali & S.Khalil (29 November 2021). "Jinnah's Legacy A Tale of Burraqs'". Second To None. Directorate of Media Affairs Pakistan Air Force. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
48. ^ S.Khalil (13 February 2021). "Markhors:New Beginnings". Second To None. Directorate of Media Affairs Pakistan Air Force. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
49. ^ Khan, Farhat; Hashmi, Qadeer (2024). History of the Pakistan Air Force (2014-2023): The Next Generation Air Force (1st ed.). ISBN 978-969-7518-01-2.

## External links

[edit]

* Pakistan Air Force Squadrons
* Pakistan Air Force Order of Battle
* Pakistan Air Force Museum

* v
* t
* e

Pakistan Air Force

Leadership|

* Commander-in-Chief
* President of Pakistan
* Chief Executive
* Prime Minister of Pakistan
* Parliament
* Senate Committee on Defence
* National Assembly Committee on Defence
* Cabinet Committee on National Security

| Ministries|

* Defence
* Secretary
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|

Air Headquarters|

* Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee
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* Vice Chief
* Deputy Chiefs
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Structure|

| Commands, Sectors & Air bases|

| Commands|

* Strategic Command (AFSC)
* Air Defense Command (ADC)
* Federal Air Command (FAC)
* Northern Air Command (NAC)
* Central Air Command (CAC)
* Western Air Command (WAC)
* Southern Air Command (SAC)

|

Air Defense Sectors|

* NORSEC
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* WESSEC
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Air bases|

* List of Pakistan Air Force bases

Units|

| Wings|

* SSW

|

Squadrons|

* Flying squadrons
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Centers & Depots|

| Logistics|

* 101
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|

Engineering|

* 102
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* 108
* 109
* 114
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Intelligence|

* Air Intelligence

Medical|

* Hospitals

Equipment|

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Affiliated
Organisations|

| Shaheen Foundation|

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|

Defence Industry|

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Sports|

* PAF FC
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Think tanks|

* Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies

Education
and
Training|

| Service training|

* PAF ACE
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* Asghar Khan Academy
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|

National Defence University|

* Air War College

NUST|

* College of Aeronautical Engineering

Air University|

* Air University Multan Campus
* College of Flying Training
* Fazaia Medical College
* Fazaia Ruth Pfau Medical College
* Karachi Institute of Economics and Technology

Preparatory colleges|

* PAF College Sargodha
* PAF College Lower Topa

Exercises|

* Indus Shield
* ACES Meet
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* Hawk Eye
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* Wide Awake

History|

* Pakistan Air Force Museum
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* Surprise Day

Other|

* PAF Cinema
* Ranks and insignia
* Pakistan Air Force (Amendment) Act, 2020
* Project ROSE
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* Category:Pakistan Air Force

* v
* t
* e

Pakistan Air Force – list of aircraft squadrons

Combat squadrons|

* 2
* 5
* 7
* 8
* 9
* 11
* 14
* 15
* 16
* 17
* 25
* 26
* 27
* 28
* 50

Helicopter squadrons|

* 81
* 82
* 83
* 84
* 85
* 86
* 87
* 88
* 89

C2/EW|

* 3
* 4
* 24
* 53

Transport|

* 6
* 10
* 12
* 21
* 41
* 52

Unmanned|

* 60
* 61
* 62
* 63
* 64
* 65

OCU|

* 1
* 18
* 19
* 20
* 22

CCS|

* 23
* CCS F-7P
* CCS JF-17
* CCS Mirage

Other|

* Aerobatics: Sherdils
* Aggressor emulation: 29
* LIFT: Shooter Squadron

Historical|

* Paybills
* Rattlers
* Falcons
* Red Dragons
* Tigers

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