No. 24 Squadron (Pakistan Air Force)
Encyclopedia
No. 24 Squadron, named the Blinders, is an electronic warfare
unit of the Pakistan Air Force
.
, an electronic surveillance variant of the B-57 Canberra
bomber, to fulfil the role of providing electronic intelligence of areas around Pakistan. The squadron personnel were drawn from No. 31 Bomber Wing, which was operating the PAF's B-57 Canberras, and the first squadron commander was Squadron Leader M. Iqbal. Six months were spent completing a ground training course and training on the electronic surveillance equipment, two members of the squadron completing some training in the United States.
The 1965 Indo-Pak War saw the Blinders flying several electronic support measures (ESM) missions to assist with counter-air sorties by other PAF squadrons. In one mission, Squadron Leader M. Iqbal and his navigator Squadron Leader Saifullah Khan Lodhi provided ESM for a strike against an Indian radar station at Amritsar by PAF F-86 Sabre
s. Squadron Leader Rashid Mir replaced Iqbal as squadron commander when Sqn Ldr Iqbal and Sqn Ldr Lodhi were shot down in a friendly fire incident during a practice sortie. Later, the squadron's new aircraft would be named Iqbal and Lodhi in honour of them.
After the 1965 Indo-Pak War the squadron conducted several more sorties deep into Indian territory. On one occasion Squadron Leader Rashid Mir flew an RB-57B into the area of Agra, while being monitored by another B-57 from a large distance. The Indian Air Force
attempted to engage Sqn Ldr Mir's aircraft over Agra with an SA-2 Guideline surface-to-air missile but the missile exploded on launch. Another attempt was made to intercept Sqn Ldr Mir by Indian MiG-21s over the area of Pathankot/Amritsar. The aircraft was again attacked by an SA-2 Guideline missile over Ambala and this time the shockwave of the missile's warhead was reported by Sqn Ldr Mir to have buffeted the aircraft, caused an engine to flame-out
and shattered the windshield with a fragment of debris. The aircraft began losing height and Indian MiG-21s again attempted to intercept, but Sqn Ldr Mir managed to reach Pakistani airspace and the Indian interceptors stopped pursuing him on detection of PAF F-104 Starfighter
s. The damaged aircraft was landed by Mir.
The squadron was disbanded circa 1977.
In 1987 the Blinders were re-established and equipped with two Dassault Falcon DA-20
aircraft fitted with an electronic warfare
suite, tasked with providing ESM and ECM support to other PAF squadrons. Electronic warfare missions provide data which is analysed by EW officers to compile an enemy's electronic order of battle and evaluate their tactics. Electronics and Air Defence officers are also trained in electronic warfare concepts, equipment and operational tactics by the squadron.
In various exercises the squadron's aircraft have provided Airborne Early Warning
of intruding aircraft to participating squadrons, as well as communications jamming, radar jamming and radar spoofing. They have been used to expose PAF aircrews in operating under degraded environments and train pilots and controllers in ECM. Lectures have been delivered on the capabilities of their DA-20 electronic warfare variant. The squadron's aircraft have been involved in almost all PAF air defence exercises, as well as various joint Army and Navy exercises. Susceptibility of army and navy systems to electronic warfare has been analysed during these exercises.
During the international exercises Inspired Alert 94, Inspired Alert 95 and Sea Spark 95, the squadron's electronic support measures equipment has been employed to gain intelligence on radar capabilities and tactics used by aircraft of participating countries. As well as international exercises, the squadron flies extensively during Indian military exercises to ensure complete coverage. Aircraft of the Blinders squadron form an integral part of trans-frontier photo reconnaissance missions flown by the PAF's reconnaissance aircraft, providing protection and early warning.
From late 2004 until mid 2007 each of the squadron's Falcon 20 aircraft spent around 16 months in France for deep overhauls and upgrades. An additional aircraft was introduced circa 2008 to the squadron inventory. The three aircraft have associated nicknames connected with the squadron history, the original two named Iqbal and Lodhi while the third aircraft is named Mir.
! style="text-align: center; background: lavender;" colspan=5 |No. 24 Squadron
Blinders
|-
! style="text-align: left; background: lavender;"|Operational
! style="text-align: left; background: lavender;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: left; background: lavender;"|Role
! style="text-align: left; background: lavender;"|Notes
|-valign="top"
| 1962~1977
| RB-57 Canberra
RB-57F
| Electronic surveillance
|
|-valign="top"
|1987—
|Falcon 20F
|Electronic Warfare
|Used for radar jamming, radar spoofing, communications jamming, airborne early warning and electronic reconnaissance.
Electronic warfare
Electronic warfare refers to any action involving the use of the electromagnetic spectrum or directed energy to control the spectrum, attack an enemy, or impede enemy assaults via the spectrum. The purpose of electronic warfare is to deny the opponent the advantage of, and ensure friendly...
unit of the Pakistan Air Force
Pakistan Air Force
The Pakistan Air Force is the leading air arm of the Pakistan Armed Forces and is primarily tasked with the aerial defence of Pakistan with a secondary role of providing air support to the Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Navy. The PAF also has a tertiary role of providing strategic air transport...
.
History
The squadron was established at PAF Base Peshawar in December 1962 and equipped with the RB-57FB-57 Canberra
The Martin B-57 Canberra was a United States-built, twin jet engine light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, which entered service with the United States Air Force in 1953. The B-57 was initially a version of the English Electric Canberra built under license. However, the Glenn L...
, an electronic surveillance variant of the B-57 Canberra
B-57 Canberra
The Martin B-57 Canberra was a United States-built, twin jet engine light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, which entered service with the United States Air Force in 1953. The B-57 was initially a version of the English Electric Canberra built under license. However, the Glenn L...
bomber, to fulfil the role of providing electronic intelligence of areas around Pakistan. The squadron personnel were drawn from No. 31 Bomber Wing, which was operating the PAF's B-57 Canberras, and the first squadron commander was Squadron Leader M. Iqbal. Six months were spent completing a ground training course and training on the electronic surveillance equipment, two members of the squadron completing some training in the United States.
The 1965 Indo-Pak War saw the Blinders flying several electronic support measures (ESM) missions to assist with counter-air sorties by other PAF squadrons. In one mission, Squadron Leader M. Iqbal and his navigator Squadron Leader Saifullah Khan Lodhi provided ESM for a strike against an Indian radar station at Amritsar by PAF F-86 Sabre
F-86 Sabre
The North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War...
s. Squadron Leader Rashid Mir replaced Iqbal as squadron commander when Sqn Ldr Iqbal and Sqn Ldr Lodhi were shot down in a friendly fire incident during a practice sortie. Later, the squadron's new aircraft would be named Iqbal and Lodhi in honour of them.
After the 1965 Indo-Pak War the squadron conducted several more sorties deep into Indian territory. On one occasion Squadron Leader Rashid Mir flew an RB-57B into the area of Agra, while being monitored by another B-57 from a large distance. The Indian Air Force
Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian armed forces. Its primary responsibility is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict...
attempted to engage Sqn Ldr Mir's aircraft over Agra with an SA-2 Guideline surface-to-air missile but the missile exploded on launch. Another attempt was made to intercept Sqn Ldr Mir by Indian MiG-21s over the area of Pathankot/Amritsar. The aircraft was again attacked by an SA-2 Guideline missile over Ambala and this time the shockwave of the missile's warhead was reported by Sqn Ldr Mir to have buffeted the aircraft, caused an engine to flame-out
Flameout
A flameout refers to the failure of a jet engine caused by the extinction of the flame in the combustion chamber. It can be caused by a number of factors, including fuel exhaustion; compressor stall; insufficient oxygen supply; foreign object damage ; severe inclement weather; and mechanical...
and shattered the windshield with a fragment of debris. The aircraft began losing height and Indian MiG-21s again attempted to intercept, but Sqn Ldr Mir managed to reach Pakistani airspace and the Indian interceptors stopped pursuing him on detection of PAF F-104 Starfighter
F-104 Starfighter
The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter is a single-engine, high-performance, supersonic interceptor aircraft originally developed for the United States Air Force by Lockheed. One of the Century Series of aircraft, it served with the USAF from 1958 until 1969, and continued with Air National Guard units...
s. The damaged aircraft was landed by Mir.
The squadron was disbanded circa 1977.
In 1987 the Blinders were re-established and equipped with two Dassault Falcon DA-20
Dassault Falcon 20
The Dassault Falcon 20 is a French business jet and was the first of a family of business jets built by Dassault Aviation.-Design and development:...
aircraft fitted with an electronic warfare
Electronic warfare
Electronic warfare refers to any action involving the use of the electromagnetic spectrum or directed energy to control the spectrum, attack an enemy, or impede enemy assaults via the spectrum. The purpose of electronic warfare is to deny the opponent the advantage of, and ensure friendly...
suite, tasked with providing ESM and ECM support to other PAF squadrons. Electronic warfare missions provide data which is analysed by EW officers to compile an enemy's electronic order of battle and evaluate their tactics. Electronics and Air Defence officers are also trained in electronic warfare concepts, equipment and operational tactics by the squadron.
In various exercises the squadron's aircraft have provided Airborne Early Warning
Airborne Early Warning
An airborne early warning and control system is an airborne radar system designed to detect aircraft at long ranges and control and command the battle space in an air engagement by directing fighter and attack plane strikes...
of intruding aircraft to participating squadrons, as well as communications jamming, radar jamming and radar spoofing. They have been used to expose PAF aircrews in operating under degraded environments and train pilots and controllers in ECM. Lectures have been delivered on the capabilities of their DA-20 electronic warfare variant. The squadron's aircraft have been involved in almost all PAF air defence exercises, as well as various joint Army and Navy exercises. Susceptibility of army and navy systems to electronic warfare has been analysed during these exercises.
During the international exercises Inspired Alert 94, Inspired Alert 95 and Sea Spark 95, the squadron's electronic support measures equipment has been employed to gain intelligence on radar capabilities and tactics used by aircraft of participating countries. As well as international exercises, the squadron flies extensively during Indian military exercises to ensure complete coverage. Aircraft of the Blinders squadron form an integral part of trans-frontier photo reconnaissance missions flown by the PAF's reconnaissance aircraft, providing protection and early warning.
From late 2004 until mid 2007 each of the squadron's Falcon 20 aircraft spent around 16 months in France for deep overhauls and upgrades. An additional aircraft was introduced circa 2008 to the squadron inventory. The three aircraft have associated nicknames connected with the squadron history, the original two named Iqbal and Lodhi while the third aircraft is named Mir.
! style="text-align: center; background: lavender;" colspan=5 |No. 24 Squadron
Blinders
|-
! style="text-align: left; background: lavender;"|Operational
! style="text-align: left; background: lavender;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: left; background: lavender;"|Role
! style="text-align: left; background: lavender;"|Notes
|-valign="top"
| 1962~1977
| RB-57 Canberra
B-57 Canberra
The Martin B-57 Canberra was a United States-built, twin jet engine light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, which entered service with the United States Air Force in 1953. The B-57 was initially a version of the English Electric Canberra built under license. However, the Glenn L...
RB-57F
| Electronic surveillance
|
|-valign="top"
|1987—
|Falcon 20F
Dassault Falcon 20
The Dassault Falcon 20 is a French business jet and was the first of a family of business jets built by Dassault Aviation.-Design and development:...
|Electronic Warfare
Electronic warfare
Electronic warfare refers to any action involving the use of the electromagnetic spectrum or directed energy to control the spectrum, attack an enemy, or impede enemy assaults via the spectrum. The purpose of electronic warfare is to deny the opponent the advantage of, and ensure friendly...
|Used for radar jamming, radar spoofing, communications jamming, airborne early warning and electronic reconnaissance.
National
- Zarb-e-Momin 1989 - the unit flew 21 sorties.
- High Mark 89 - seventeen sorties flown.
- Naval ECM Exercise 1991
- High Mark 93 - fourteen sorties flown.
- Sky Guard 1994
- Jiddat 1995
- High Mark 95 - sixty-five sorties flown.
- Exercise Sea Lion 1996
- Exercise Sea Hawk 1997
- Joint Pakistan Army and Air Force exercise (1997) - army fire control radars tested with jamming.
- Saffron Bandit 1997 - thirty-five sorties flown. Pilots and controllers trained in ECM and almost all PAF units exposed to operations in an environment degraded by EW.
- Pakistan Army exercise (1998) - Jamming operations carried out against Sky Guard radars and LAADS of the Army Air Defence System.