PAF establishes CSAR squadron

摘要

THE AW139 formally entered service with the Pakistan Air Force (PAF)'s 88 Squadron at PAF Base Shahbaz in Jacobabad, southeast Pakistan, on March 3, the unit becoming 88 Combat Support Squadron and Advanced Helicopter Training School the same day. At a ceremony attended by Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman - the PAF's then chief - two AW139s flew in formation with a Mi-171, which the new type is replacing. At present, 88 Squadron is equipped with four AW139s. The first pair (17-001 and 17-002) reportedly entered service last July. The next, AW139 17-004 (c 31782), was seen at Venegono, Italy, during a test flight from nearby Vergiate on September 28 before being airfreighted to Pakistan together with AW139 17-003 (c 31781, test serial CSX81922) on November 23.