Special Services Wing
The Pakistan Air Force Special Services Wing is a special operations force who specialized in all aspects of air-to-ground communication, including airborne special operations, air traffic control, fire support, command, control and communications in covert counterterrorism or austere environments.
They are often assigned individually or as a team to Army Special Service Group, Navy Special Service Group and special tactics units of the Pakistan Marines, to provide expert airfield seizure, airstrike control and communications capabilities.
History
After the 1965 war with India, Air Cdre Mukhtar Ahmad Dogar (SJ), who had flown Royal Indian Air Force aircraft supporting the Chindits Operating behind Japanese lines in Burma, was instrumental in creating a special forces unit for the Pakistan Air Force called SAW. The SAW was raised in 1966 under the command of Sqn Ldr Altaf Hussain Butt as C.O of the unit. These Men were picked up directly from RTS in January 1966. The unit was directly under the Directorate of Air Intl. In 1971, Upon request from PIA, members of SAW Unit were given to SKY MARSHALS to perform Flight Protection Services on all domestic and international flights till the end of 1973. When it was decided to convert the unit roll from Offensive to Defensive.In 1999, the concept of a special forces wing for the Air Force was again revived after the Kargil War with India. Senior officials and military scientists of the Pakistani Armed Forces were impressed in the way that Army Special Forces">Pakistan Army">Army Special Forces during the initial phase of the war in Afghanistan were able to secure targets, set up runways and airstrips for immediate use and direct strategic and tactical air strikes on enemy positions so quickly. The Air Force established the division under the name Special Service Wing. One of the combat brigades of Special Service Wing had been carrying out special day-light aerial and night-aerial operations during the recent insurgencies inside Pakistan. The unit, alongside Navy's SSGN and Army's SSG, has actively participated in operations, led by the Pakistan Army, in Waziristan.
Training
All SSW members get their initial training from the Army's Special Operation School, Cherat. Soldiers wanting to join the SSW must have at least two years of service before they can join.First, they are given basic training at Pakistan Air Force Ground Combat School Kallar Kahar for a 6–8 weeks. The initial course emphasizes tough physical conditioning and endurance. This includes a 40-mile march in 12 hours with 20 kg weight and a 5-mile run in 35 minutes with full gear among the many physically demanding challenges. The concept of the initial training is designed to weed out the weak candidates. The drop out rate is very high; those who survive the initial training are then sent to Army Special Operation School for 9-12 Months for specialized training.
Organization
The SSW is designed to execute difficult aerial and land operations, serving as equivalent to the US Air Force's List of [United States Air Force special operations squadrons#Special Tactics Squadrons|Special Tactics Squadron] units.Special Services Wing has five squadrons and one separate Flight Wing.
- Each Squadron consists of 250–400 men. Squadrons are divided into numerous flights which are further subdivided into 10-12 men teams. Squadrons are commanded by Wing Commanders/Squadron leaders.
Uniform