Sargodha Airfield Complex

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The Sargodha Airfield Complex is a complex of four airstrips – Sargodha, Chota Sargodha, Wagowal and Bhagatanwala. The complex was originally built by the Royal Indian Air Force and is located in Sargodha, Punjab Province, Pakistan.^[1]

The region of Pakistan was originally known as British Raj, or the Crown Rule until 1947. In the 1930s, the Royal Indian Air Force constructed many airstrips to facilitate war efforts in Afghanistan, and during the Second World War, many of these landing grounds received major upgrades. After Pakistan’s independence in 1947, many of these airstrips were abandoned. In a report from 1958, the United States Air Force (USAF) could potentially operate Douglas C-54 Skymaster, Douglas C-124 Globemaster II, North American F-100C Super Sabre, and the F100D if in an emergency, or necessary at the airstrips. From 1965 to 1971, many disused airstrips were rehabilitated to be fitted with dummy aircraft, and occasionally operated North American F-86 Sabres. ^[2][3] From 1965, the PAF’s 17, 18, 19 Squadrons were based in the airfield complex, which also housed the central command. This was considered one of the PAF’s most heavily guarded location, being dense in assets of the air force. The complex was located on a strategic location, allowing Pakistan to conduct air offensives in the Punjab region.^[4]

The following is the four airfields which compose the Sargodha Airfield Complex.

Location: Sargodha (Main) is located in the center of Sargodha at 32°2′32″N 72°40′16″E / 32.04222°N 72.67111°E / 32.04222; 72.67111.

Sargodha (Main) was the main airfield of the four satellite fields. After the Second World War, the disused Sargodha airstrip was first occupied by a PAF Care and Maintenance Party. In 1959, it was commissioned to become PAF Station Sargodha (now known as PAF Base Mushaf). The first squadrons No. 5, No. 11, and No. 16 were deployed at the air base, equipped with F-86F aircraft. In 1965, PAF Station Sargodha proved to be the most important airbase in Pakistan’s Defense during the Indo-Pakistani war. Due to this factor, Chinese Shenyang F-6s were donated to the base.^{[2] [5]}

Location: Chota Sargodha Airstrip is located 16.5 kilometres west from Sargodha at 32°3′41″N 72°31′4″E / 32.06139°N 72.51778°E / 32.06139; 72.51778.

Chota Sargodha Airstrip (also known as Abbaspur Airfield) was the first airstrip to be built by the RAF in Sargodha. From 1965 to 1971, the airfield was heavily bombed by the Indian Air Force. It was a category C airfield by the Pakistan AF, that it runway maintenance was put on furtherer notice. Chota Sargodha is currently abandoned and is operated by two concrete runways.^[2][3]

On August 9, 2011, a Pakistan Air Force Mil Mi-171 made an emergency landing on the abandoned airfield during routine flight training. No injuries were reported, and the fault was due to technical issues with the tail.^[6]

Location: Wagowal Airstrip is located 22 kilometres north from Sargodha at 32°10′50″N 72°32′32″E / 32.18056°N 72.54222°E / 32.18056; 72.54222.

In 1965, a Type 15 mobile radar unit was deployed at Wagowal. The unit was hooked up to a makeshift Sector Operations Centre located at the Tiwana House in Sargodha cantonment. Wagowal Airstrip is currently abandoned and is operated by two runways..^[2]

Location: Bhagatanwala Airstrip is located 28 kilometres east of Sargodha at 32°3′19″N 72°56′59″E / 32.05528°N 72.94972°E / 32.05528; 72.94972.

Bhagatanwala Airstrip was commonly mistaken as Sargodha (Main) during the Indo-Pakistani air war of 1965, and subsequently received many bombings on its dummy planes. Currently, the airfield is known as Sargodha Domestic Airport and operates occasional domestic flights served by runway 07/25. The airfield is also an advanced attack base, known as PAF Bhagatanwala. ^{[7] [2]}

Chota Sargodha, Wagowal, and Bhagatanwala’s runways, revetments, and circular dispersals appear to remain intact, but in a state of disrepair.

Around the 6th of September, aircraft from the No. 1 Squadron IAF attacked Chota Sargodha Airstrip, while eight aircraft from the No. 8 Squadron IAF attacked Bhagatanwala Airstrip. It was reported that one of the F-86 Sabres was destroyed, and one was damaged. ^[1]

On the 7th of September at 06:15 AM, five aircraft from No. 27 Squadron IAF attacked Chota Sargodha Airstrip, destroying two F-86 Sabres. A second raid was planned, and No. 27 Squadron IAF was deployed to attack Chota Sargodha Airstrip. However this raid backfired as they had mistakenly attacked Wagowal instead, and the loss of five IAF Hawker Hunters. ^[1]

At 09:45 AM, six Mysteres from the No. 1 Squadron IAF attacked Sargodha Main, leaving over seven aircraft destroyed or burning. At 3:40 PM, the last raid was launched with two Mysteres from No. 2 attacking, before being noticed by Sabres on patrol. ^{[1] [8]}

Shortly after the 3:40 PM raid, the counter-air offensive attacks on Sargodha finally stopped. The Indian Air Force had managed to destroy around 15 aircraft owned by the Pakistan Air Force. On the same day, the PAF begun counter-air offensives on northern and eastern airfields in India. ^[1]

• Mohan, Jagan (2005). The India-Pakistan Air War of 1965. Manohar Books. ISBN 978-817304641-4.