PESHAWAR: Greatness comes from one’s desire to reach beyond the horizon andrelentlessly chase one’s dreams. No one ever attains eminence by simplydoing what is required of him: it is the excellence that determines thegreatness of ultimate distinction. These words are an apt description ofthe 21st chief of air staff, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman!
He was bestowed the honour of commanding PAF three years ago, when Pakistanwas going through turbulent times and the Pakistan Armed Forces werevigorously engaged in fighting the war against terrorism.Leading from thefront, he himself carried out a bombing mission in an F-16 aircraft, whichnot only enhanced the morale of our armed forces but also struck fear inthe hearts of our enemy. Under his gifted foresight, PAF successfullycarried out counter insurgency operations in the most treacherous landscapewithout any collateral damage. The echoing triumph of PAF in theseoperations has further enhanced its image in the world as a professionalair force.
Under his dynamic leadership, PAF in collaboration with Pakistan Armycarried out successful air operations in operation Zarb e Azb. These jointcampaigns manifest exemplary relations and conduct of operations betweenPAF and Pak Army against the terrorists. The PAF air support vouchsafed andhelped our ground troops to move about freely and take actions to extricatethe anti-state elements in treacherous areas of FATA. The government andthe entire nation unequivocally acknowledged PAF’s role in the resoundingsuccess of these operations which brought back peace in the country.
Turning impossible into possible is another character trait of Air ChiefMarshal Sohail Aman. He took the establishment of PAF Base Bholari as achallenge, andthe project, which was kept on back burner for decades,witnessed unprecedented infrastructure development under his personalguidance and close supervision. Resultantly, this monumental project wasnot only completed in record time but also made operational with theformation of a fighter squadron.
Under his visionary leadership, JF-17 program moved ahead at a fast paceand the maiden test flight of its dual seat aircraft at China in 2017 was ahistoric milestone in the pursuit of indigenization. Production of sixteenJF-17 Thunder Block II aircraft in a year is a testimony of his ableleadershipand a giant leap in achieving self-reliance. Successful trial ofBVR missile fired from JF-17 Thunder at Somniani firing range is anothermilestone achieved during his able leadership. Moreover, sale agreementswith brotherly countries Qatar, Turkey, Azarbaijan and Nigeria for theprovision of Super Mushshak aircraft speak volumes of his commitment inmaking PAC Kamra a proud contributor in the progress of the nation.
Perhaps the most futuristic and visionary contribution made by Air ChiefMarshal Sohail Aman in the realm of indigenization and nation building isthe establishment of Aviation City at Kamra. Although, PAC Kamra wasserving the nation since long, however, the Air Chiefenvisionedcapitalizing on PAF’s research and development potential. Hence,came up the idea of establishing a mega city which could establish a muchneeded industry Academia linkage at one location. This revolutionaryinitiative would prove to be a giant step towards indigenization andself-reliance in the country.
Being an embodiment of farsightedness,he always wanted to establish aninstitution in PAF that could link its operations, research and doctrineunder one roof. To fulfill this long awaited vision, Airpower Centre ofExcellence was established at PAF Base, Mushaf. This, one of its kindinstitutions in the region, has been equipped with state of the artfacilities to acquaint PAF combat crew with the latest techniques of airwarfare in the ever changing airpower spectrum around the globe. Thesuccessful conduct of the first ever multinational counter terrorism airexercise at this institution last year has authenticated its highcredentials.
Being aware of the importance of education in the progress of any nation,Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman earnestly contributed for the provision ofquality education to the youth of our country. The establishment of AirUniversity Campus at Multan &Kamra and Dr. Ruth Pfau Medical College at PAFBase Faisal Karachi is a giant leap in this direction which would usher ina new era of progress in the field of education.
Setting up state of the art vocational centers in the under developed areasof Pakistan is another humble contribution in the long list of nationbuilding measures being taken by Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman. CaptAsfandyar Shaheed Vocational Training Center and Flying Officer MaryamMukhtiar Shaheed Vocational Training Center for women have been establishedat PAF Camp Badaber (Peshawar) to provide respectable sources of earninglivelihood for the unemployed men and women of these areas. Besides thesevocational training centers, he also envisioned to replicate theflourishing model of Rashidabad Welfare Trust in different parts of thecountry. The construction of Yunusabad at Quetta and Alamabad at Swabi isthe realization of the dream of serving the impoverished and thedisadvantaged people of the far flung areas.
Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman is retiring after rendering 38 years ofservice in Pakistan air Force. He will always be remembered as an epitomeof peerless excellence, matchless commitment, unwavering resolve and trueson of Pakistan.