Bangladesh Air Force edit
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Bangladesh Air Force edit
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| Bangladesh Air Force | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1971 - present |
| Country |  Bangladesh |
| Size | 22,000 personnel
500 general duty pilots
200+ combat aircraft
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| Motto | Banglar akash rakhibo mukto translation: We'll keep the sky of Bangladesh free from enemies |
| Commanders | |
| Air Force Chief of Staff | Air Marshal Shah Mohammed Ziaur Rahman |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel |  |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | Q-5 |
| Bomber | A-5C, An-32 (converted) |
| Fighter | F-7, MiG-29, L-39 |
| Interceptor | F-7 |
| Trainer | T-37, Fouga Magister, PT-6 |
| Transport | An-32, C-130, Mi-8, Mi-17 |
The Bangladesh Air Force (বাংলাদেশ বিমান বাহিনী Bangladesh Biman Bahini in Bangla), is the tactical and strategic air branch of the [[Military of Bangladesh|Bangladesh Armed Forces It also provides air support for ground troops. Bangladesh Air Force consists of more than 22,000 personnel including 3,200 officers of whom around 500 are General Duty Pilots.
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Bangladesh Air Force was officially formed during the independence war from Pakistan in 1971. Its official date of formation has been established as September 21, 1971. A number of BAF officers participated in the war of independence. Initially, BAF was formed with all officers and trained airmen of Bengali origin serving in the Pakistan Air Force prior to the war. At that time, the embryo of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) was formed with an air chief and less than a hundred officers and airmen. During Bangladesh independence war officers of the BAF in the Z-Force were Squadron Leader M. Hamidullah Khan, [1]</ref> who was assigned as Commander-Sector 11, Flight Lieutenant Liaqat as Battalion Adjutant, including Flying Officer Rouf, Flying Officer Ashraf and Flight Sergeant Shafiqullah as company commanders. Squadron Leader Wahidur Rahim, Squadron Leader Nurul Qader, Squadron Leader Shamur Rahman and Air Commodore Ataur Rahman as sub sector company commanders. Wing Commander Khademul Bashar who also participated in the war was Commander-Sector 6</ref> Ministry of Defense Gazette Notification No.8/25/D-1/72-1378, Dated 15 December 1973</ref> During the end of the war a symbolic flight known as 'Kilo Flight' was flown to establish the Bangladesh Air Force. Initially, 'Kilo Flight' consisted of three out of date malfunctioning aircraft provided by the Indian authorities. Nine officers and 47 airmen who defected and crossed into India were given a symbolic operation to mark the beginning of the air force. Squadron Leader Sultan Mahmud was appointed as the commander of the 'Kilo Flight' with two transport planes and one helicopter. After repairing the three aircraft into some operational form, 'Kilo Flight' successfully began its maiden flight operation in the new air force. It bombed an old and almost empty fuel storage in Chittagong and Narayangonj area and thus the journey of BAF had commenced. Almost entirely all BAF flight and aviation equipment and gear that was acquired with the nations independence was taken by the Indian armed forces. Bangladesh Air Force History</ref>
In 1972, the three aircraft C-47 Dakota, DC-3 and a French Alouette helicopter was left to Bangladesh by India which being obsolete were soon out of operation. Despite the lack of aircraft, the Pakistan Air Force prior to 1971 had a large number of Bengali pilots, air traffic controllers, technicians and administrative officers many of whom distinguished themselves during the Bangladesh Liberation War, this providing the Bangladesh Air Force with a good number of trained personnel.
Notable Air Force Personnel of Bangladesh Forces in 1971
During the independence war of 1971, many career air force officers and men participated in different sectors in Bangladesh and also at the headquarters. Below are a list of some notable participants. Group Captain (later Air Vice Marshal, Chief of Air Staff)A K Khondker was the Assistant Chief of "Bangladesh Freedom Fighters".
Wing Commander M. Hamidullah Khan b.11th September,1938. - Commander Sector 11 Bangladesh Forces - When in the rank of Squadron Leader, Hamidullah had emerged in a secure place in the history of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Air Force of unprecedented significance. Hamidullah is the only air force officer who commanded as both sub-sector (Mankarchar Sub-Sector) and sector commander during independence war of Bangladesh. He singlehandedly commanded the largest number of men of the largest sector, Sector 11, during the war. The famous Chilmari Landing, Kurigram and Gaibandha Guerilla Campaigns, Kodalkati and Kamalpur Assaults, Tangail Area Ambushes and Raids, have all been planned and executed under his command. Hamidullah served in B.A.F until 1979 as Grond Defence Commander at Air HQ, Dhaka. He was called upon by then President Ziaur Rhaman to retire from the air force and enter public service. Hamidullah Khan was elected Member of Parlianment in the 2nd Bangladesh Parliament from Dhaka 5.
Wing Commander Khademul Bashar - Commander Sector 6 Bangladesh Forces - Served as Senior Operations Officer at Dhaka International Airport in Tejgaon Air Base, until in March 1971. He was appointed Commander Sector 6 Bangladesh Forces by General M.A.G. Osmani. Bashar later became Chief of Staff, BAF. He died from a plane crash during a routine flight. BAF Base at Tejgaon, Dhaka has been renamed Base Bashar in his honour.
Air Commodore Ataur Rahman
Squadron Leader Wahidur Rahim - Company Commander
Squadron Leader Nurul Kader
Squadron Leader Shamsur Rahman
Squadron Leader Sultan Mahmud - Freedom Fighter
Squadron Leader Islam - Freedom Fighter
Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman - Killed during daring attempt to defect while in flight during training mission from PAF to BD for participating in war of independence
Flight Lieutenant Liaqat - Freedom Fighter
Flight Lieutenant Iqbal Rashid - Freedom Fighter, Captain Sector 6 Bangladesh Forces
Flt Lt Saiful Azam PAF-BAF - Flight Lieutenant Saiful Azam has the unique distinction of having kills against air forces of two different countries. As a young Flying Officer during the 65 War, Saiful Azam scored a kill against an Indian Air Force Gnat, in recognition of which he was awarded Sitara-i-Jurat. Two years later Saiful Azam became the first Pakistani pilot to score against the Israeli Air Force in the 1967 Arab-Israel war. He shot down a Vatour Bomber, a super Mystere, and a Mirage IIIC, all in only two missions thus raising his tally to four kills. To date, he remains the highest shooter of Israeli aircraft in the history of dogfighting. He has been highly decorated with gallantry awards by both Jordan and Iraq for his extraordinary display of skill and courage. He retired as a Group Captain from Bangladesh Air Force. In 2001, he was honoured by the United States Air Force (USAF) and enjoys the status of being one of the twenty two 'Living Eagles' of the world.
BD Interim Government Personnel 1971 8 Theatre Road, Kallyani, Calcutta, India
Group Captain A.K. Khandekar - Deputy Chief of Staff Bangladesh Forces under General M.A.G. Osmani, C-in-C, and after independence Chief of Staff of Bangladesh Air Force. Was appointed Chief Convenor of Independence War Gallantry Awards Committee by Tajuddin Ahmed, Prime Minister(Interim Government). Awarded highest gallantry of Bir Uttam (not martyred) - Reasons Unknown. Appointed Ambassador to India during Mushtaq's government and later to Australia by Ershad.
Asst. to Dep. Chief Bangladesh Forces- Flt. Lt. Badrul Alam -
Branches of Bangladesh Air Force are:
BAF Headquarters is located in Dhaka Cantonment. There are many bases set up all over the country. BAF Bases Bashar (Dhaka), Zahurul Haque (Chittagong) and Matiur (Jessore) are named after National and Air Force heroes. Other major bases are BAF Base Pahar Kanchanpur (Tangail), BAF Base Shamshernagar (Sylhet). Recently a new base has been set up at Bogra.
Bangladesh Air Force Academy is the officer training academy of the Bangladesh Air Force.It is situated in BAF base Jessore.
(in decreasing order)1
| Rank |
|---|
| Air Chief Marshal |
| Air Marshal |
| Air Vice Marshal |
| Air Commodore |
| Group Captain |
| Wing Commander |
| Squadron Leader |
| Flight Lieutenant |
| Flying Officer |
| Pilot Officer |
The rank Marshal of the Air Force is a rank given on only two distinct times. That is to the chiefs of staff during wartime and under an honorary basis to retired chiefs of staff and certain other very notable senior officers in peacetime for etraordinary service at the discretion of the Head of State or Monarch.
The basic dimensions of the Bangladesh Air Force badge, motto, ensign, and roundel are similar to that of many Commonwealth nations. Their basic colors are blue, green and red.
With effect from 23 May 2007, The rank of Air Chief was elevated from Air Vice Marshal to Air Marshal.
Bangladesh Air Force has big modernisation and upgration plans. These plans include procuring around 80 Russian Su-27 and Su-30 multirole fighter jets aswell as options for Su-35, procuring about 20 Russian Su-39 attack/bomber aircrafts, Mi-28 attack helicopters, UAVs, fuel tankers, reconaissance aircrafts, and other modern training jets. There are also plans for National Air Defense in Bangladesh but it is still unsure.
Ministry of Defense Gazette Notification No.8/25/D-1/72-1378, Dated 15 December 1973</ref>
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Versions | In service2 | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aero L-39 Albatros |  Czechoslovakia |
trainer, light attack | L-39ZA | 34 | used by BAF Academy for training pilots | |
| Antonov An-32 |  Soviet Union /  Ukraine |
Twin-engined transport aircraft/Bomber | An-32 | 3 | Also, converted into Bomber aircraft by BAF | |
| Bell 206L LongRanger |  United States |
utility helicopter | 206L | 24+ | primary helicopter trainer for BAF | |
| Bell 212 Twin Huey | United States |
utility helicopter | 212 | for communication, reconnaissance and light air support and air transport | ||
| Cessna T-37 Tweet | United States |
jet trainer/light attack | T-37B | 27 | Used for training young pilots in BAF, Bangladesh Army and Naval Aviation | |
| Chengdu F-7 Airguard |  China |
fighter | F-7BG
F-7MB FT-7B |
253
604 285 |
multi-role, interceptor, air defence | |
| Fouga CM.170 Magister |  France |
trainer | CM.170 | 12 | Status : Currently being phased out | |
| Lockheed C-130 Hercules | United States |
tactical airlifter | C-130B | 5 | designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport aircraft | |
| Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 |  Russia |
fighter | MiG-29S
MiG-29S UB |
166
47 |
Multirole/air-superiority fighter | |
| Mil Mi-17 | Russia |
attack & utility helicopter | Mi-17
Mi-171 Mi-172 |
40
22 12 |
Used for attack, air lifting, evacuation and transporting light cargo | |
| Mil Mi-8 | Russia |
utility & transport helicopter | Mi-8 | 32 | Used for air lifting, and transporting cargo. | |
| Nanchang Q-5 | China |
attack | A-5C | 35+ | bomber/ground attack (will be upgraded to BVR capable) |