THAL, PAF BOMBING RANGE: A more crucial and significant phase of exercise “High Mark 2010” being carried out by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) would enter its second phase on Wednesday.

In the second phase troops of Pakistan Army would join hands with the PAF to carry out joint exercise for the first time in the history of the country.The successful culmination of the first phase of the exercise was announced formally by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman at the air-power demonstration conducted by the aircraft of the PAF at this remote range situated on the right bank of Indus on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Minister for Defence, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Services Chiefs, Chairmen Senate and National Assembly Committees on Defence, Defence Attaches from various missions in Islamabad and senior military officers witnessed the spectacular fire power and acrobatic show of the PAF hawks.

PAF and Pakistan Army would conduct joint operations to polish their skills in the near to real conditions to be created in various geographical conditions. The aircraft including JF-17 Thunder, F-16, F-7, A-5, and Mirage took part in the air power show which used weapons from air to ground.

Over two dozen targets, erected for the purpose on the ground, were engaged with precise accuracy by these aircraft. The anti-terrorist operation exercise was jointly conducted by the Pakistan Army Commandos and aircraft of PAF and helicopters of Army Aviation.

The operation was well coordinated in a manner that the commandos on ground were provided air guard by the PAF jets who pounded the hide out of the terrorists alongside the ground operation displaying the pin point accuracy of the pounding the targets by the jets from a high altitude in air.

The High Mark 2010 was kicked off in the mid of march and would continue till mid of the next month. Pakistan Navy would also join its sister services at some later stage to make it a multi-services joint exercise.
 
Firepower Demo

And on Tuesday, the fighter aircraft of Pakistan Air Force demonstrated a high level of tactical preparedness featuring speed, precision and strength, at a fire power demonstration, as part of exercise “High Mark 2010.”

The demonstration in the midst of sand dunes of Thal by the aircraft of the PAF fleet including F-16s, JF-17 Thunder, Mirages and F-7s reverberated the entire area with huge explosions, creating mushroom clouds.The aircraft bolted out of the blue skies, made several bombing runs and hit out mock targets depicting runways, radar sites, air defence batteries and other infrastructure.

The demonstration started with two A-5 aircraft - one carrying a National Flag and the other with a welcome banner, flew past the audience including Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, services chiefs, parliamentarians and PAF officials. 

Two Mirage aircraft showcased the recently acquired aerial refuelling from the IL-76 refueller, maintaining a skilful distance of just 13-26 meters from the tanker.

Two F-16 aircraft flying at an ultra-low altitude released chaff and flares for self-defence and dropped two 2,000 pound bombs at the target, receiving a loud applause from the audience.

Four JF-17 thunder aircraft equipped with latest avionics, dropped their payload at 1,900 feet, targeting a mock hideout of militants, set up on a small hill.

In an impressive performance, a Mirage aircraft flying at extremely low altitude of 200 feet, dropped bombs at the enemy targets, while two F-16s flying at a speed of 480 knots knocked off two targets through its 2,000 pounder bombs.

Four Mirage - the Night Hawks, capable of low level penetration, allowing minimum time to the enemy and achieving surprise, dropped 5,000 pounds bombs. The weapons generated a shock wave that led to the collapse of all hardened bunkers.

The H-2 weapon - a wide-range television guided missile, was dropped by two Mirage aircraft at a mud platform, from around 60 km away from the target, thus making it possible to create a lethal and precise attack at far-off range.

The PAF’s Special Service Wing demonstrated the targeting of terrorists’ hideout and rescue of hostages in conjunction with the Special Services Group of the Pakistan Army.

A C-130 demonstrated container delivery operation, while the MI-17 helicopters were used to transport the anti terrorists assault force that rappelled down the hovering craft to crack down on the terrorists.

The SAAB aircraft carrying the Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW & CS) with a capability to see and scan a target 450 km distance away.

In the end, the audience were enthralled with the performance of the ‘Sherdils’ - the aerobatic team of PAF Academy RisalPur in K-8 aircraft. Emitting red and green colour fumes the team performed different maneuvers showing their precision and skill by flying in tight formations.

The entire exercise was carried out in a near real situation with an objective of depicting fighter pilots’s capabilities of avoiding collateral damage and inflicting maximum damage to the enemy targets.