LINCOLNSHIRE – Flying Officer of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Junaid Saleem has been awarded with the ‘Best Overseas Cadet Award’ at Royal Air Force College (RAFC) Cranwell.
Junaid Saleem, who passed out on June 18 from Royal Air Force Academy Cranwell, has made the nation proud. This is the first time ever in the history of Pakistan that a cadet from PAF has been rewarded as the Best Overseas Candidate in Royal Air Force College Cranwell.
Pakistan Air Force is considered one of the largest combat air forces in the World.
Considering the size of the air forces in countries in surrounding areas, Pakistan Air Force has established itself as one of the largest combat air forces. Dating back to 1947, the Pakistan Air Force has been involved in many conflicts since its foundation, including various confrontations with powerful neighbor India. The Pakistan Air Force has French fighter aircraft, with the Dassault Mirage 5 and Mirage III.
New inductions of PAF include he JF-17 Thunder fighter, Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C and Il-78 MRTT aircraft. The JF-17 Thunder multi-role fighter jointly developed by China and Pakistan is expected to become the backbone of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), complementing the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon.
PAF today has almost 65,000 full-time personnel and 902 Aircraft. The current Chief of Air Staff is Mr. Sohail Aman.
Pakistani JF-17 Thunder participated in the world’s prestigious Paris Air Show in June 2015. Pakistan was also successful in securing its first ever export order for its JF-17 at the first day of the International Paris Air Show.
The RAFC is the Royal Air Force training and education academy which provides initial training to all RAF personnel who are preparing to be commissioned officers. Royal Air Force College Cranwell (UK) was originally established as a naval aviation training centre during World War I as the world’s first air academy in 1919.
Cranwell has had many famous graduates including Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton, Sir Rolf Dudley-Williams, 1st Baronet Sir Frank Whittle, Air Chief Marshal The Earl of Bandon, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prince Muhammad bin Saad, Prince Faisal bin Al Hussein as well as Prince Charles (underwent training but did not complete the full course) and Prince William (gained his RAF wings but did not complete officer).
