No. 4 squadron PAF
| No. 4 Squadron | |
|---|---|
One of the 4 ZDK-03 aircraft of the squadron flying over Manora coastline. | |
| Active | Since 15 August 1959 (66 years, 7 months) |
| Disbanded | 1969-2011 |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Allegiance | Pakistan Air Force |
| Type | Squadron |
| Role | Airborne Command and Control |
| Part of | 32 Wing |
| Airbase | PAF Base Masroor |
| Nickname | Karakorum Eagles |
| Motto | Urdu: نگاہ وہ ہے کہ محتاج مہر و ماہ نہیں |
| Mascot | Eagle |
| Engagements | |
| Website | www |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Helicopter | Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw |
| Patrol | Grumman HU-16 Albatross |
| Reconnaissance | ZDK-03 |
| PAF Squadrons | ||||
|
The No. 4 AEW&C Squadron nicknamed Karakorum Eagles is an airborne early warning unit of the Pakistan Air Force's 32nd Air Mobility Wing. It operates ZDK-03 early warning aircraft from PAF Base Masroor.[1][2][3][4][5]
History
The squadron's history traces its roots back to January 1958, when a maritime flight of 2 Grumman HU-16 Albatross was established operating under the supervision of 12 Squadron at Mauripur airbase. The unit was transformed into a fully functioning squadron on 15 August 1959, under which its fleet was expanded with more Albatross seaplanes, Bristol Freighters, and Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw helicopters. The unit was temporarily disbanded in March 1969 after H-19s were retired from air force service, with its Albatrosses being put in storage. [6][7]
On 11 August 2011, the squadron was reactivated as an Airborne Early Warning unit with 4 ZDK-03 AEW&C aircraft.[1]
Operational history
1965 War
While under the command of Squadron Leader Afsar Khan Jadoon, the squadron's H-19Ds undertook several covert operations in close co-operation with the Pakistan Army while the HU-16s saw maritime patrol missions over the Arabian Sea in close coordination with the Pakistan Navy throughout the 16-day war. [6]
2019 and 2025 conflicts with India
The squadron remained alert during Operation Swift Retort with the unit being deployed at its wartime locations. Similar wartime alerts were seen during Marka-e-Haq in 2025.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Khan, Farhat; Hashmi, Qadeer (2024). History of the Pakistan Air Force (2014-2023): The Next Generation Air Force (1st ed.). p. 288. ISBN 978-969-7518-01-2.
- ^ "Pakistan Air Force commissions Karakoram Eagle AWACS aircraft". Airforce Technology. 2015-03-01. Archived from the original on 2023-04-07.
- ^ "Orbats".
- ^ Aslam, Umair (2022-02-04). "Pakistan Air Force Conducts National Air Defense Exercise". Global Defense Insight.
- ^ "'KARAKORAM EAGLE' JOINS THE ELITE NO 4 SQUADRON OF PAF". Lahore World. Archived from the original on 2015-04-02.
- ^ a b Fricker, John (1979-01-01). Battle For Pakistan: The Air War of 1965.
- ^ Hussain, Shabbbir; Quraishi, Tariq (1982). History of the Pakistan Air Force, 1947-1982.