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The Pakistan Air Force Special Services Wing is a special operations force who specialised in all aspects of air-to-ground communication, including air traffic control, fire support, command, control and communications in covert counterterrorism or austere environments. They are often assigned individually or as a team to Army Special Service Group, Navy Special Service Group and special tactics units of the Pakistan Marines, to provide expert airfield seizure, airstrike control and communications capabilities.
| Special Services Wing (SSW) | |
|---|---|
 The Special Warfare Insignia/Badge of PAF | |
| Active | 2004—present |
| Country |  Pakistan |
| Branch |  Pakistan Air Force |
| Type | Special operations force |
| Role | |
| Part of | Air Force Strategic Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Kallar Kahar, Punjab |
| Motto(s) | 'Faith, Piety, to strive in the path of Allah', 'Thunder and lightning is a message of death for you ' |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Air-Commodore Sohail Imran Cheema |
| Abbreviation | SSW |
History
editAfter the 1965 war with India, Air Cdre Mukhtar Ahmad Dogar (SJ), who had flown Royal Indian Air Force aircraft supporting the Chindits Operating behind Japanese lines in Burma, was instrumental in creating a special forces unit for the Pakistan Air Force called SAW (Special Air Warfare Wing). The SAW was raised in 1966 under the command of Sqn Ldr Altaf Hussain Butt (GDP) as C.O of the unit. These Men were picked up directly from RTS (Recruit Training School) in January 1966. The unit was directly under the Directorate of Air Intl (DAI). In 1971, Upon request from PIA (Pakistan international Airline), members of SAW Unit were given to SKY MARSHALS to perform Flight Protection Services on all domestic and international flights till the end of 1973. When it was decided to convert the unit roll from Offensive to Defensive.
In 1999, the concept of a special forces wing for the Air Force was again revived after the Kargil War with India. Senior officials and military scientists of the Pakistani Armed Forces were impressed in the way that United States Army Special Forces during the initial phase of the war in Afghanistan were able to secure targets, set up runways and airstrips for immediate use and direct strategic and tactical air strikes on enemy positions so quickly.[citation needed] The Air Force established the division under the name Special Service Wing (SSW). The one of the combat brigade of Special Service Wing had been carrying out special day-light aerial and night-aerial operations during the recent insurgencies inside Pakistan. The unit, alongside Navy's SSGN and Army's SSG, has actively participated in recent operations led by the Pakistan Army in Waziristan.[citation needed]
Training
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All SSW members get their initial training from the Army's Special Operation School, Cherat. Soldiers wanting to join the SSW must have at least two years of service before they can join.
First, they are given basic training at Pakistan Air Force Ground Combat School Kallar Kahar for a 6–8 weeks. The initial course emphasizes tough physical conditioning and endurance. This includes a 40-mile march in 12 hours with 20 kg weight and a 5-mile run in 35 minutes with full gear (60-80 lbs) among the many physically demanding challenges. The concept of the initial training is designed to weed out the weak candidates. The drop out rate is very high; those who survive the initial training are then sent to Army Special Operation School for 9-12 Months for specialized training.
The advanced training includes anti-terrorist & hostage rescue, Minor Ops, basic desert, mountain, water, snow survival training, unarmed combat, firing with all types of weapons, intelligence, static line equipment jumps, diving etc. Many in the SSW are selected for additional specialist training. A HALO/HAHO course is given at Risalpur with a "Skydiver" tab awarded after 30 free fall jumps. For HAHO minimum 150 free fall jumps along with 10 night equipment free fall jumps are required.[1] A "Mountain Warfare" qualification badge is given after completing a course at the Army Mountain Warfare School in Ratto; and a "Combat Diver" badge is awarded for the course held by the Special Service Group (Navy) at School of Divers PNS Hamalaya Karachi or by SSG(ARMY)'s MUSA company at Mangla .
Organization
editSpecial Services Wing has five squadrons and one separate Flight Wing.
- Each Squadron consists of 250–400 men. Squadrons are divided into numerous flights which are further subdivided into 10-12 men teams. Squadrons are commanded by Wing Commanders/Squadron leaders.
| The Commando Squadrons Of PAF Special Services Wings (SSW) | ||
|---|---|---|
| PAF Special Operations Squadrons | Nick | Details |
| PAF 1st Special Operations Squadron! | (1st SOS) | The No. 1st Special Operation Squadron is one of PAF's aggressor squadron. The members of No. 1 Special Operations Squadron are fighter-pilots by profession graduated from Combat Commander's School, but are also trained to participate with Pakistan Army's SSG Anti-Terrorist Group. The No. 1 SOS are currently participated in War in West-Pakistan along with Navy's SSG Naval Special Forces. They are distinguished when they had participated in Operation Black Thunderstorm led by Pakistan Army's 50th Airborne Division |
| PAF 2nd Special Operations Squadron | (2nd SOS) | The No. 2 Special Operation Squadron is dispatched with ISI, CIA and 427th Special Operations Squadron. It performs clandestine missions as part of the Global War on Terrorism, as part of the effort to destroy Al Qaeda. |
| PAF No. 3rd Special Operations Squadron | (3rd SOS) | Anti Terrorist and Hostage Rescue Squadron, The No. 3 Squadron is trained for an immediate evacuation of hostages and high-value military personnel in a war-zone crises. |
| PAF No. 4th Special Operations Squadron | (4th SOS) | The No. 4 Squadron is based on providing Very Important Person (VIP) protection to state leaders and other VIP personnel's flight. The No. 4th Squadron is currently assigned to Islamabad, Pakistan. |
| PAF No. 5th Paratrooper Training Squadron | (5th PTS) | The members of No. 5th Paratrooper Squadrons are the Airborne forces of Pakistan Air Force. Together, they perform and participated in military operations led by Pakistan Army 50th Airborne Division. |
| PAF No. 10th Special Reconnaissance Flight Squadron | (10th SRF) | The Number 10th Special Reconnaissance Flight Squadron are tasked with taking reconnaissance flights in enemy territories. The 10th SRF Group is closely associated with Pakistan's ISI Special Operations Directorate (SOD). As of today, the 10th SRF Squadron is participating in War in North-West Pakistan, notably Operation Black Thunderstorm and Operation Rah-e-Nijat, where they had taken numerous reconnaissance sorties and targeted high-value targets. |
Uniform
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SSW (Special Services Wing) is distinguished by maroon berets with PAF Officer, JCO or Airmen berret insignia, and a wing on the right side of the chest. The combat uniform of the SSW is green jungle camouflage. They also wear their wing insignia.
Operational experience
editSince the formation of SSW in 2004, they have been engaged in fighting against militants in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and FATA region. SSW Also participated in repelling a Major Terrorist Attack over Pakistan Air Force Base Kamra alongside Army's SSG on the Night of 15/16 August 2012.
In yet another attack on the M.M. Alam PAF Training Base attack on 4th November 2023, Special Service Wing's swift response thwarted the terrorist attack on the Mianwali airbase.
See also
edit- Special Service Group (Pakistan Army)
- Special Service Group (Navy) (Pakistan Navy)
References
edit- ^ "PAF flexes its muscles". www.thenews.com.pk. The News International. April 7, 2010. Archived from the original on 2010-04-09. Retrieved July 23, 2020.