Exercises

Asif Shamim (Asif)

Admin Notes:- Simulated war exercise Highmark-05, started Sept 04 2005 for 1 month. Pakistan Air Force [PAF] deployed F-16s, Mirages, A-5, F-7Ps and other aircraft in 8,200 sorties. Avionics, weapon systems, radars along with manpower skills being put on test during the exercise which was held almost across whole of Pakistan. Highmark-2005 is designed to validate some of the PAF operational concepts and the scenario of the exercise simulates two opposing forces, Blueland and Foxland, each employed in both offensive and defensive operations. The PAF's aircraft:- The American built F-16 would fly in a air-superiority role in both offensive and defensive roles, the French Mirages in an a ground support role, the Chinese A-5's would support the army, while the mainstay would be the Chinese F-7P/PG type of aircraft would be in air defence role. The Pakistan Air Force held its last major exercise in 1995, as later planned exercises were not held due to rapidly changing situation in the region, particularly after Indian and Pakistan's nuclear test in 1998, the 9/11 and the stand off with India in 2002.