High Mark 2010 culminates in display of firepower

* PAF launching second phase of exercise today

By Saeed Minhas

THAL: The first phase of the ‘High Mark 2010’ war exercise culminated on Tuesday in a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) display of firepower and expertise in aerial capability and demonstrations of air cover for ground troops that highlighted the force’s potency in rooting out terrorist hideouts, in the deserts of Thal near Jhang.

The PAF displays were witnessed by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar, the chiefs of the armed forces, parliamentarians and other senior officials. Defence attaché’s from all significant diplomatic missions in Pakistan – including the US, the UK, European nations and Arab countries – had also been especially invited.

Saluting the guests with a blast of sonic boom, Mirage fighters put the show in motion – mesmerising the audience for almost 90 minutes.

On a clear day with perfect visibility and no sand storms, PAF pilots kept receiving thunderous ovations while displaying their abilities to manoeuvre the Pakistan-China manufacture JF-17 Thunder and hitting “enemy targets” with missiles, bombs and other live ammunition with utmost precision.

Other fighter jets – F-16s, F-7s, PG Aircraft and helicopters – were also used in the display of firepower skills aimed at targeting “enemy” installations while dodging radars. Force multipliers such as the Saab-2000 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft and air-to-air Re-fueller aircraft were also in flight to the delight of spectators. Several of the drills and aircraft were on display for the first time.

Special features of the drills included PAF’s ability to launch a sensor missile and hit a target from 60 kilometres away – the impact was felt in the area where the audience had gathered.

Midair refuelling and air-to-land targeting, using missiles and bombs, especially grabbed the attention of defence experts. A re-fueller plane – recently incorporated in the PAF fleet – supplied topped up two Mirages during the drill.

The exercises included a search-and-relief operation, the use of spy planes, the expeditious supply of heavy apparatus using transport planes and a ground operation backed by the PAF.

Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, in his opening remarks, said his force was ready to counter any challenge. He said the area of the ‘High Mark 2010’ exercise would cover the entire country from Skardu in the north to the Arabian Sea in the south. The exercise could include joint operations with the army and the navy to bolster integration and cooperation among the three services.

The air chief also said that ‘High Mark 2010’ was aimed at conducting operations in a “near-realistic tactical environment while integrating new inductions and providing role-oriented training to combat and support elements of the PAF”. He said the exercise was designed to achieve stipulated objectives with a special focus on exposing the PAF combat crew to simulated air battles based on contemporary concepts. All of PAF’s main operating bases and forward operating bases are participating in the exercise. ‘High Mark 2010’ is PAF’s biggest operational exercise, which is being conducted after five years.

In the second phase of the exercise beginning today, the PAF would join the Pakistan Army for ‘Azm-e-Nau-3 (Fresh Passion-3)’.

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