No. 81 Squadron PAF

No. 81 Squadron
Active	Since 1963 (60–61)
Country	Pakistan
Allegiance	Pakistan Air Force
Branch	GD(P)/Flying
Type	Squadron
Role	SAR & OCU
Airbase	PAF Base Peshawar
Nickname(s)	Kangaroos
Mascot(s)	A Kangaroo
Helicopters	Alouette-III
Engagements	2015 Camp Badaber attack Operation Swift Retort Rescue Operations 2010 Peshawar Floods 2011 Mirpur Khas Floods
Aircraft flown
Helicopter	Alouette-III

The No. 81 Search & Rescue Squadron nicknamed Kangaroos is a helicopter unit of the Pakistan Air Force. It operates French Alouette-III helicopters providing SAR coverage from PAF Base Peshawar. It also runs the Helicopter Flying Training School (HFTS) where PAF helicopter pilots receive basic training on rotorcrafts.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

History

The squadron was raised at its home base at Peshawar in 1963 as a Search and Rescue flight equipped with a few Alouette-IIIs. Its fleet was expanded over the years after which its status was raised to a squadron. Its main role was to maintain SAR coverage to PAF flying operations in and around Peshawar while operating from PAF Camp Badaber and PAF Base Peshawar.^[3][4]

In 1995, the squadron was upgraded to a Helicopter Flying Training School (HFTS) to carry out helicopter conversion courses for PAF pilots while also carrying on with its SAR role. It has since carried out 34 conversion courses which also included special courses for pilots from Saudi Arabia and UAE.^[3][4]

Operational history

After TTP terrorists launched an attack on PAF Camp Badaber in 2015, the squadron's helicopters took active part in supporting roles. It provided vital aerial reconnaissance and rescue support to ground troops engaged in heavy fighting with the terrorists.^[4]

See also

• List of Pakistan Air Force squadrons

References

1. "Search & Rescue squadrons". GlobalSecurity.org.
2. Warnes, Alan (2009). The Pakistan Air Force (1998-2008): A New Dawn.
3. Hashmi, Qadeer (2014). History of the Pakistan Air Force 1999-2013 (1st ed.).
4. Khan, Farhat; Hashmi, Qadeer (2024). History of the Pakistan Air Force (2014-2023): The Next Generation Air Force (1st ed.). p. 288. ISBN 978-969-7518-01-2.
5. "Orbats".