PAF AIRCRAFTS COLLECTION

The PAF took in its stride the 10-month war alert with India during 2002, when New Delhi unsuccessfully attempted a coercion strategy against Pakistan through its Operation “Parakram”. To counter the threat posed by India’s forward-deployed forces, all combat and support units, wings, bases and commands of the PAF easily moved into Operation “Sentinel” of their own, assuming, holding and improving upon their assigned readiness states throughout the year. On 16 October 2002, India decided to back down. Among the PAF squadrons were some F-16s of No.11 Squadron, which regularly deployed through various main and forward operating bases during Operation “Sentinel.” Nestled in the deep, winding valleys of the Karakorams, Skardu FOB was one of the airfields that F-16s operated from. The painting shows a Falcon of 11 Squadron as it begins its take o f roll on the Skardu runway, while a pair of A-5 fighters circles overhead.