SARGHODA, situated 50 miles north of the famous textile city of Faisalabad in north central Pakistan, and within 150 miles of the Indian border, is the home of the Combat Commanders School which has earned it the reputation of the 'Top Gun' base of the Pakistan Air Force. It first came to prominence during the Indo-Pakistan Wars of 1965 and 1971 during which itprovided a pivotal role in the air war with India. During the 1965 War S/L MM Alam became Pakistan's air ace. Flying the F-86, he shot down five Indian aircraft in one mission. Sarghoda was also a key target for the Indian Air Force during that time. In recognition of its efforts during these conflicts, Sarghoda has had the privilege of initially hosting all the new types ofaircraft purchased by the air force, including the F-86, F-104, F-6, Mirage and F-16. The onlyexception being the F-7P. The base, under the command of its popular commander, Air Commodore Majeeb, is now the home of the No 38 Tactical Fighter Wing which comprises two squadrons 9 Griffins Squadron and 11 Arrows Squadron flying the F-16A and B, and the Combat Commanders School with two Squadrons, the Skybolts with the Mirage 5PA, and the Dashings with F-6s. The school is under the command of G/C Riat, a veteran of the '71 Indian conflict during which he flew the F-86. The school and its instructors (which would also have a role to play in the event of a war) is run on a very similar infrastructure to the USAF DACT Training Bases, even including the school buildings themselves. The aims of the school are as follows:- - Application of flying tactics.
- Utilisation of weapon systems.
- Standardisation and evaluation of various units.
- Research and development in the field of tactics.
Pilots are selected by Air HQ in Rawalpindi normally after nine to twelve years of service. The successful graduates would hope to command a squadron in the rank of wing commander. The courses are tough and some selectees inevitably fail to make the grade. There are three courses, the combat commanders course lasting for 4/5 months, a 3 month weapons course, and a 4/5 week fighterintegration course. The CCS DACT course is unique throughout the world in its freedom as all combat missions are flown at tree top levels. All course pilots are fully responsible for the entirely independent formulation and execution of their mission plans and then drawing their own conclusions afterthe flight. The importance of CCS at Sarghoda is highlighted by the fact that all foreign chiefs of air staffvisiting Pakistan on exchange visits always include Sarghoda in their itinerary. This was the case recently when the RAP Chief of Air Staff Sir Peter Harding visited the school with his wifeduring a seven day exchange visit to Pakistan from October 11-18, 1991 {seeAFM March News). Hewas most impressed with what he saw, and showed surprise at the freedom allotted to the studentDACT pilots. An F-7P was flown in to Sarghoda from Rafiqui Air Base during his visit in which hewas given a 30 minute fliaht.
( Mike Downing, Air Forces Monthly, April, 1992)
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