A tribute to ACM Anwar Shamim (R)

Former Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Muhammad Anwar Shamim (R) passed away at the Combined Military Hospital in Rawalpindi after protracted illness on 4th January 2013. Nation will remember him for his contribution and the role he played in updating Pakistan Air Force. Air Chief Marshal Muhammad Anwar Shamim was born on 1st October, 1931, in an educated family from Haripur (Hazara). He became a member of the then functional University Air Squadron, to begin his childhood dream career of a fighter pilot in Pakistan Air Force.
He joined RPAF in 1950 and on completion of his pilot training at the Royal Australian Air Force, he was granted commission in March, 1954. Some of the major courses include, Flying Trainingand Jet conversion from Australia, Flying Instructors, Staff College, National Defence College andSenior Officers Inter-Defence Management Course from USA.He was promoted as four-star General and assumed the command of the Pakistan Air Force on July, 23, 1978, and retired on March 5, 1985. He was a war hero and considered as one of the most decorated military officers in the Pakistan Armed Forces. For his bravery and professionalism, he was awarded several military awards including Nishan-e-Imtiaz, Hilal-e-Imtiaz, Sitara-e-Imtiaz, and Sitara-e-Jurat during 1965 war.
He had actively participated in 1965 and 1971 wars; his leadership qualities were witnesses during war missions, setting excellent example for his juniors. His major appointments during the active service included, Officer Commanding 11 Sqn and 33 Fighter Wing; and commanded three PAF Bases, Sakesar, Korangi Creek and Masroor. At Air Headquarters, he served as ACAS (Ops), ACM (Retd) Anwar Shamim also served Royal Jordanian Air Force as Air Advisor to His Majesty King Hussain Bin Talal (1968-1970) and played key role in reforming the Jordanian Air Force after 1967 Arab-Israel war.

He revolutionized PAF by starting a series of annual exercises code-named “Jet stream”, in 1978, with a view to achieving operational excellence of the Air Force. Those exercises were to progressively increase emphasis on joint services liaison at all levels, not only to ensure more effective support to Pak Army and Pak Navy in any future conflict, but also for other two services to understand and appreciate exactly what PAF could and couldn’t do. The aim of exercise was to determine combat effectiveness of the PAF in general and to test and evaluate various concepts of operations in particular. He consolidated the Air Force by achieving optimum combat-readiness compatible with maximum flight safety. His most prominent contribution was the induction of F-16s in PAF on 14th January 1983, six F-16s landed at Sargodha in the evening. In 1979, 32 Mirages were inducted in PAF, equipped with anti-shipping missiles. 20 FT-5 trainer aircraft were also acquired to improve upon the quality of flying training. Durandal runway penetration bombs were also included in the PAF inventory.
In 1979, six Air Defence wings were established to ward off the aerial threat to Pak Air Space. There was a qualitative improvement in system as six high powered TPS-43 radars were inducted and full automation of all the radars was also undertaken. In 1979, 32 Mirages were inducted in PAF, equipped with anti-shipping missiles. 20 FT-5 trainer aircraft were also acquired to improve upon the quality of flying training. Durandal runway penetration bombs were also included in the PAF inventory. Three regional operational commands were constituted to achieve the aim of defending the motherland against any aggression in a befitting manner. Not only the PAF but the entire nation got a boost. On the other hand, the capacity building of the PAF was a deterrent especially in the absence of nuclear device at that time. He also purchased Chinese A-5 aircraft to enhance our ground support capability. He was a firm believer of Inter Services cooperation and earnestly thought that the three services should act in harmony to overcome any odds.
He had authored a book titled “Cutting Edge PAF: A Former Air Chief’s Reminiscences of a Developing Air Force”. The title suggests that his autobiography focuses on the professional achievements of the service. The story follows the evolutionary path of a PAF initially composed of 222 officers and 2,342 airmen moulded into a cutting edge force that became the pride of the nation and the talk of the town. Cutting Edge PAF is divided into pre-war reminiscences and post-war contributions of the man who helped shape a modern air force. An analysis of both wars is embedded within to complete the look of a period piece.