Thread by @ArmedUpdat1947

Pakistan Airforce No 17 Squadron "Tigers" 🧵
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In 1957, PAF Felt the Need of a Fighter-Bomber Squadron, So even with very Limited Resources "Tigers" were Raised, Under the Command of Squadron Leader M Z Butt, with F-86F Sabre Jets, at Maripur Airbase, Karachi.(1/n)

In 1958 Tigers were Relocated at Peshawar Airbase to Safeguard the Northern Part of Pakistan.
In 1961, after Afghan Attack, they took Part in Bajaur Campaign, Providing Close Air Support to Pak Army while Bombing Multiple Afghan Targets, Causing Huge Damage to the Enemy... (2/n)

In 1963, No 17 Squadron was Moved at Dhaka Airbase (East Pakistan) and in February 1964 they Came Back to Participate in Perry-Keene/Inter Squadron Armament Competition but After Performing in 23 March, Republic Day Prade "Tigers" Returned back to Dhaka... (3/n)

In 1964, they were again Moved at Maripur Airbase, Karachi.
In 1965, Tigers took Part in Operation Desert Hawk, Flying CAP (Combat Air Patrol) and CAS (Close Air Support) Missions. During these Skirmishes we also lost one F-86 Jet when it was Damaged by Indian Anti Aircraft Guns.

In 1965, During Indo-Pak War, Tigers with 10x Sabre Transonic Jets, were Deployed at PAF Base Sargodha from Maripur. Their Mission was to Provide Close-Air- Support in Sialkot, Lahore and Khem Karan While Continuously Performing Air-Defense Operations in Sargodha District...(5/n)

On Sep 19, Tigers were Conducting Cross Boarder Strikes on Indian Positions at Phillora when They were Intercepted by 2x IAF Folland Gnats.
After an Intense Dogfight 1x Gnat was Shot Down by "Flight Lieutenant Azam" While Other One Escaped Successfully... (6/n)

Later in Conflict, Tigers Attacked Jallo and Attari Sectors inside India & Their Mission was to Target Indian Artillery Guns because they were Dropping Shells on Lahore.
This was a Successful Operation and it was Highly Praised by Pakistan Army Field Commanders in Lahore...(7/n)

PAF Claims that During 1965 War, No 17 Squadron has Destroyed 25-30 Tanks and 140-150 Military Vehicles. Moreover Their Close-Air-Support Missions were also Credited with Causing the Death of Approximately 190-200 Indian Soliders... (8/n)

Talking about 1971 Indo-Pak War, No 17 Squadron was Deployed, Under the Command of Wing Commander Mujtaba Qureshi, at PAF Base Rafiqui, Near Shorkot...
During Conflict they Flew 337 Sorties Out of Which 272 Were Combat Missions... (9/n)

These Missions were all About Air Defence, Counter Air Strike and Close Air Support at Kasur, Hussainiwala and Lahore Sectors...
Reportedly During these Fights we Lost 1x Sabre Due to Engine Flameout and Other 5x were Damaged Due to Enemy Air Defense Gun Fire... (10/n)

In 1977, Tigers were Re-equipped with "F-6 Shenyang" Fighter Jets.
During Soviet-Afghan War, No 17 Squadron was Deployed at Samungli Airbase, Quetta and they were Tasked to Safeguard Airspace by Conducting CAP (Combat Air Patrol) Missions... (11/n)

During War, Soviet and Afghan Fighter Jets Often Tried to Intrude and Bomb Refuge Camps Inside Pakistan. Over This Period, Tigers Protected the Sovereignty of Pakistan by Executing a Notable Number of 682 CAP and 238 Hot Scrambles... (12/n)

In Operation Bedar 98, Tigers Played an Important Role in Safeguarding Pakistan's Airspace During Nuclear Tests i.e Chaghi 1 & 2. During Operation, While F-16s were Escorting C-130s, F-6 Of No 17 Squadron were Continuously Performing CAP Missions at Border Areas... (13/n)

In 2001, No 17 Squadron was Equipped with F-7 P Fighter Jets and They were Re-Branded in Air-Superiority Role. They've Played an Important Role in War Against Terrorism, Providing Intelligence & Supporting Ground Troops by Striking Militants Strongholds and Logistical Hubs(14/n)

Right Now, Tigers are Operating F-7 PG Fighter Jets & they're Part of Northern Air Command, Deployed at PAF Base Peshawar.
Tigers is the Only Remaining Air-Superiority Squadron in PAF and They've Always Played Important Roles, Proving "It's the Man Behind the Machine'...(15/n)

Now PAF is Looking Forward to Replace Aging F-7 PGs with Modern JF-17 Block-lll Fighter Jets.
After This Replacement Tigers will become a "Multi-Role Squadron" but their Services in "Fighter-Bomber and Air-Superiority" Role will Always be Remembered.
Pakistan Zindabad 💚🇵🇰