Bangladesh Air Force

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Bangladesh Air Force
Active	1971 - present
Country	Bangladesh
Size	22,000 personnel 500 general duty pilots 200+ combat aircraft
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 Mohammad Ziaur Rahman
Insignia
Roundel
Aircraft flown
Attack	A-5, L-39, Mi-171sh
Bomber	A-5C, An-32 (converted)
Fighter	F-7BG/MB, MiG-29
Interceptor	F-7BG/MB
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 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.

Contents 1 History 2 Organization/Formation 3 Branches of Bangladesh Air Force 4 Installations 5 Bangladesh Air Force Academy 6 Officer Ranks 7 Aircraft Inventory 7.1 Obsolete and Retired 8 Markings 9 List of Air Force Chief 10 See also 11 References 12 External links

[edit] History

Bangladesh Air Force was officially formed at the Bangladesh Sector Commanders Conference 1971 during its 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 Bangladesh Liberation War. 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 Muhammad Hamidullah Khan,^[1] 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^[2]. 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 Initially, 'Kilo Flight' consisted of three out of date malfunctioning aircraft provided by the Indian authorities.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 supplied by the Indian armed forces.^[3]

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 (Deputy Chief of Bangladesh Forces)A K Khondker was the Assistant to Commander in Chief General M. A. G. Osmani.

Squadron Leader Muhammad Hamidullah Khan b.11 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 represented interim Bangladesh Government as Chief Liaison and Coordination officer at Chakulia Guerilla Training Camp in Bihar and commanded as both sub-sector (Mankarchar Sub-Sector) and commander of Sector 11 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 Guerrilla 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, 5th and 6th Bangladesh Parliament from Dhaka 5, later Munshigonj 2.

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 PAF-BAF

Squadron Leader Wahidur Rahim PAF-BAF - Company Commander

Squadron Leader Nurul Kader PAF-BAF

Squadron Leader Shamsur Rahman PAF-BAF

Squadron Leader Sultan Mahmud PAF-BAF - Freedom Fighter

Squadron Leader Islam PAF-BAF - Freedom Fighter

Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman PAF-BAF - 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 PAF-BAF - Freedom Fighter

Flight Lieutenant PAF-BAF - 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 Khandker - Deputy Chief of Staff Bangladesh Forces under General M.A.G. Osmani, C-in-C, Bangladesh Forces. Was appointed Chief Convenor of Independence War Gallantry Awards Committee by Osmani. For explicit reasons unknown excepted highest gallantry of Bir Uttam (not martyred). After independence was made Chief of Staff of Bangladesh Air Force by the new Awami League government. Immediately after Sheikh Mujib's assassination was appointed Ambassador to India during Mushtaq's government and later to Australia during Ershad Administration. Created Sector Commanders Forum, a political action body in October 2007. As its head, spearheaded a drive throughout the nation and media regarding a controversial issue involving the role of religious based elements during the nations independence war, whom Mujib officially and unequivocally pardoned. Elected member of parliament in the 2008 Bangladesh Parliamentary general elections after revoked nomination by the Bangladesh Election Coommission for fraud and embezzlement was reinstated. Appointed minister of planning on January 2009 in the Awami League Adminisrtation.

Asst. to Dep. Chief Bangladesh Forces- Flt. Lt. Badrul Alam - Bir Uttam (Reasons Unknown)

[edit] Organization/Formation

Shoulder/Sleeve insignia	Appointment	Rank & Name	Star Plate
	Chief of Air Staff	Air Marshal Shah Mohammad Ziaur Rahman ndc, fawc, psc	‎
	Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations & Training)	Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Enamul Bari ndu, psc
	Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Admin)	Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Delwar Hussain
	Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Maintenance)	Air Commodore Mazhar
	Air Officer Commanding, BAF Base Khademul Bashar (AOC Bashar)	Air Commodore Serniabad
	Air Officer Commanding, BAF Base Kurmitola (AOC Kurmitola)	Air Commodore Sanaul Haque
	Air Officer Commanding, BAF Base Zahurul Haq (AOC Zahur)	Air Commodore Ehsanul Ghani Chowdhury
	Air Officer Commanding, BAF Base Matiur Rahman (AOC Matiur)	Air Commodore Shah Alam
	Air Officer Commanding, BAF Base Paharkanchanpur (AOC PKP)	Air Commodore Sakib Khan Majlish

Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) has its HQ at Dhaka Cantonment. HQ has 3branches, Operations & Training (Ops & Trg), Administration (Admin) and Maintenance (Met). Each branch is headed by officers who are considered as Principal Staff Officer (PSO)and known as Assistant Chief of Air Staff, eg ACAS (Ops &Trg). Under each PSO there are various Directorates headed by Directors of Group Captain Rank. Under each Director there are Deputy Directors (DD) and Staff Officers (SO).

Chief of Air Staff (COAS) Office: Air Seretary's branch, Directorate of Air Intelligence, Judge Advocate General, Chief Inspectorate;

Operation & Training Branch: Directorate of Air Operations, Directorate of Plan, Directorate of Air Training, Directorate of Flight Safety, Directorate of Air Defence, Directorate of Recruitment, Directorate of Education, Directorate of Metereology, Directorate of Air Traffic Services;

Administrative Branch: Directorate of Personnel, Directorate of Works, Directorate of Welfare and ceremony, Directorate of Administrative Co-ordination, Directorate of Finance, Directorate of Medical Services (Air), Directorate of Provost Marshal, Chief Engineer's Office (Air);

Maintenance Branch: Directorate of Engineering, Directorate of Project, Directorate of Armament and Weapons, Directorate of Communication & Electronics, Directorate of Supply;

[edit] Branches of Bangladesh Air Force

Branches of Bangladesh Air Force are:

• General Duty (Pilot)
• General Duty (Navigator)
• Administration and Training
• Air Traffic Control
• Logistics
• Maintenance Technical Engineering
• Maintenance Technical Communication and Electronics
• Maintenance Technical Armament
• Education
• Legal
• Accounts
• Meteorology

[edit] Installations

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.

[edit] Bangladesh Air Force Academy

Bangladesh Air Force Academy is the officer training academy of the Bangladesh Air Force.It is situated in BAF base Jessore.

[edit] Officer Ranks

(in decreasing order)^[4]

Rank	Rank Insignia
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 in 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 extraordinary service at the discretion of the Head of State.

[edit] Aircraft Inventory

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Versions	In service[5]	Notes
Fighter Aircraft
Mikoyan MiG-29	Russia	Air Superiority Fighter	MiG-29SE MiG-29UB	14[6] 2[7]	Multi-role Air Superiority Fighter. Based in Kurmitola AB under 8th Squadron.
Chengdu F-7 Airguard	China	Interceptor Fighter	F-7BG F-7MB GAIC FT-7B	16[8] 16[9] 8[10]	Multi-role, Interceptor and Air Defense. All F-7MB to be replaced by F-7BG. Based in Kurmitola AB under 5th Sq Supersonics and 35th Squadron Thundercats.
Attack Aircraft
Nanchang Q-5	China	Ground Attack	A-5C	18[11]	under 21st Squadron.
Aero L-39 Albatros	Czechoslovakia	Light Attack/Advanced Trainer	L-39ZA	12+	Advanced Trainer used by BAF Academy & Light Attack Aircraft under 25th Squadron Trendsetters based in Chittagong
Trainer Aircraft
Cessna T-37 Tweet	United States	Intermediate Trainer	T-37B	31	Intermediate Trainer used by BAF Academy, Jessor under 15th Squadron.
Nanchang PT-6	China	Primary Trainer	CJ-6A	25	Basic Trainer used by BAF Academy in Jessor & Bogra
Fouga CM.170 Magister	France	Jet Trainer	CM.170	8	Being phased out
Transport Aircraft
Antonov An-32	Soviet Union /  Ukraine	Tactical Transport Aircraft/Converted Bomber	An-32	3	Transport aircraft, also converted to Bomber aircraft by BAF. Based in Chittagong under 3rd Squadron Unicorns.
Lockheed C-130 Hercules	United States	Tactical Medium Lifter	C-130B TC-130B	4 1	Designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport aircraft. Based in Kurmitola AB under 101st Squadron.
Helicopters
Mil Mi-171Sh	Russia	Armed Helicopter	Mi-171 Sh	6	Recently procured for use as attack helicopter.
Mil Mi-17	Russia	Transport Helicopter	Mi-17 Mi-171	14 2	Used for VIP Transport, Air Lifting, Evacuation and Transporting light cargo
Bell 212 Twin Huey	United States	Utility Helicopter	212	16	Multi-mission helicopter. Additional units procured for UN peace keeping operation.
Bell 206L LongRanger	United States	Utility Helicopter	206L	3	Primary helicopter trainer for BAF based in Jessor

Note: Bangladesh Air Force also operates unknown numbers of two-seater FT-6, under 21st Squadron based in Dhaka, though the 40+ F-6 Farmer acquired from China and Pakistan are retired from the active services and placed in reserve^[12].

[edit] Obsolete and Retired

List of BAF obsolete and retired aircraft^[13][14][15]:

• 8 F-86 Sabre - Ex-Pakistan Air Force
• 1 Douglas C-47 Dakota
• 1 de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter
• 4 Aérospatiale Alouette III - HAL-built ex-Indian Air Force
• 10 Mikoyan Mig-21MF Fishbed
• 2 Mikoyan Mig-21UM "Mongol" Fishbed
• 2 Mikoyan Mig-21FL Fishbed
• Unknown number of Mil Mi-4 Hound
• Unknown number of Shenyang F-5 Fresco and Shenyang JJ-2 Midget (FT-2)
• Unknown number of Agusta-Bell 205
• Unknown number of Agusta-Bell 204
• 2 Antonov An-24 Coke
• 1 Antonov An-26 Curl
• 40+ Shenyang F-6 Farmers

[edit] Markings

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.

[edit] List of Air Force Chief

• Air Vice Marshal Abdul Karim Khondoker(April 10 1972 - 1975)
• Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Ghulam Tawab(1975 - 1977)
• Air Vice Marshal Khademul Bashar(1977 - 1977)
• Air Vice Marshal Abdul Gafoor Mahmud(1977 - 1978)
• Air Vice Marshal Sadruddin Ahmed(1978 - 1982)
• Air Vice Marshal Sultan Mahmud(1982 - 1987)
• Air Vice Marshal Momtaz Uddin Ahmed(1987 - 1991)
• Air Vice Marshal Altaf Hossain Chowdhury(4 June 1991 - 3 June 1995)
• Air Vice Marshal Jamal Uddin Ahmed(4 June 1995 - 3 June 2001)
• Air Vice Marshal Rafiqul Islam(4 June 2001 - 7 April 2002)
• Air Vice Marshal Fakhrul Azam(8 April 2002 - 7 April 2007)
• Air Marshal Shah Mohammad Ziaur Rahman(8 April 2007 - onward)

With effect from 23 May 2007, The rank of Air Chief was elevated from Air Vice Marshal to Air Marshal.

[edit] See also

• Bangladesh Army
• Bangladesh Navy

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Official Website of Bangladesh Air Force
• Bangladesh Air Force Overview
• Bangladesh Air Force Gallery
• Official Gallery of Bangaladesh Air Force
• Bangaladesh Air Force Order of Battle Courtesy of Scramble