Pakistan Air Force holds war exercise Saffron Bandit 2009-10 - September 5, 2009

An air operational exercise of Pakistan Air Force is continued at a PAF Operational Base, named Saffron Bandit 2009-10. The aim of the exercise is to dovetail the experience from operation in Swat and FATA into an exercise, embarking upon a training operation. The academic and flying curriculum of the exercise has been so orchestrated that it is not only training the technical level combat crew but is also providing rich experience to its Air Battle staff at the operational levels in such operations. Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited the operational base and examined the exercises. Air Chief, Chief Air Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman and other high officials were also present during the visit. Army Chief viewed live air combats and bombardments by PAF fighter aircrafts. He lauded the capabilities of the PAF. In response to a question in an informal talk with media men, General Kayani said that the armed forces are prepared and capable to defend Pakistan. He said when the national is united, nothing is impossible to achieve. He said people of Pakistan have enormous capacity and capability; they have always risen to the occasion. 80 % of displaced persons were looked after by the people of NWFP, he added. He further said that was our religious beliefs and cultural values, we should be proud of our rich values. You can see it in the eyes of every soldier. Earlier on arrival of Army Chief at the base, Deputy Chief of the AIR Staff (operations), Air Marshal Muhammad Hassan gave a briefing to the senior military leadership. Later the dignitaries went to firing range to witness live delivery of weapons by PAF aircraft. Operation Saffron Bandit-2009-10, started in September 2009 would continue up till February next year.