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| 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 |
| Mottos | '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 |
The Pakistan Air ForceSpecial Services Wing is aspecial operations force who specialized in all aspects ofair-to-ground communication, includingairbornespecial operations,air traffic control,fire support, command, control and communications in covertcounterterrorism or austere environments.
They are often assigned individually or as a team toArmy Special Service Group,Navy Special Service Group and special tactics units of thePakistan Marines, to provide expert airfield seizure, airstrike control and communications capabilities.
After the1965 war withIndia,Air CdreMukhtar 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).[1] 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 fromPIA (Pakistan international Airlines), 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.[2]
In 1999, the concept of a special forces wing for the Air Force was again revived after theKargil War with India. Senior officials and military scientists of thePakistani Armed Forces were impressed in the way thatUnited States Army Special Forces during the initial phase of thewar 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.[3] The Air Force established the division under the name Special Service Wing (SSW). One of the combat brigades of Special Service Wing had been carrying out special day-light aerial and night-aerial operations during the recentinsurgencies inside Pakistan. The unit, alongsideNavy'sSSGN andArmy'sSSG, has actively participated in operations, led by the Pakistan Army, in Waziristan.[4]
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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 SSW is designed to execute difficult aerial and land operations, serving as equivalent to the US Air Force'sSpecial Tactics Squadron units.[5]
Special Services Wing has five squadrons and one separate Flight Wing.
| 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 ofPAF'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'sSSG Anti-Terrorist Group. The No. 1 SOS are currently participated inWar in West-Pakistan along withNavy'sSSG Naval Special Forces. They are distinguished when they had participated inOperation 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 withISI,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 providingVery 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 ISISpecial Operations Directorate (SOD). As of today, the 10th SRF Squadron is participating inWar in North-West Pakistan, notablyOperation Black Thunderstorm andOperation Rah-e-Nijat, where they had taken numerous reconnaissance sorties and targeted high-value targets. |
SSW (Special Services Wing) is distinguished bymaroon 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.
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