ISLAMABAD, Sep 09 (TNS): Pakistan’s new Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi today became the country’s first premier to fly in F-16 fighter aircraft, media report said.
Abbasi, during a visit to the newly-established Airpower Center of Excellence (ACE) at an operational air base of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), flew in the single-engine supersonic multirole fighter aircraft.
The 58-year-old became the first-ever prime minister of Pakistan to participate in an air force sortie.
The facility at the Mushaf Air base in Sargodha is a premier institution which has been equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure.
Abbasi was briefed by Air Chief Sohail Aman on the ongoing exercise ‘Saffron Bandit’ and was informed that the first-ever multinational exercise will be held in October and would have participation from personnel from 19 air forces.
‘Saffron Bandit’ is a combat exercise by PAF involving fighter jets and ground troops with elements from the Army Aviation and Army Air Defence. It is held once in three years.
