PAF Base Mushaf - Combat Commanders School

Combat Commanders School

In 1976 the Combat Commanders School (CCS) was formed, replacing the PAF's Fighter Leaders' School. It has four aims:

1. Research and development in the field of tactics.
2. Application of flying tactics.
3. Utilisation of weapon systems.
4. Standardisation and evaluation of various units.

Pilots are normally selected to undergo training at the CCS after around 9 to 12 years of service with the PAF. Once selected by the Air Headquarters they undergo three courses: the 4-5 month Combat Commanders Course, the 3 month Weapons Course and the 4-5 week Fighter Integration Course. These courses are reputed to be very tough and some pilots fail them. The successful graduates can go on to attain the rank of Wing Commander and command a squadron.

Dissimilar Air Combat Training (DACT) at the CCS is renowned "throughout the world" for giving complete freedom and responsibility to participating pilots for forming and executing their mission plans. Combat missions are regularly flown at tree-top height and pilots are also responsible for their own post-flight learning. Foreign Chiefs of Air Staff visiting the base have been "most impressed" and "showed surprise at the freedom allotted to the student DACT pilots."

CCS has two squadrons under its command, the Skybolts currently flying the Dassault Mirage III/5 and the Dashings currently flying the Chengdu F-7P.

CCS staff pay annual visits to all PAF fighter squadrons to evaluate and enhance combat capabilities. In June 1990 the Squadron Combat Upgradation Programme (SCUP) was initiated and four month-long cycles were conducted by October 1990, each involving two fighter squadrons, F-16 pilots and ground controllers. SCUP was replaced by the regular Exercise Saffron Bandit in 1992, which is a more demanding and complicated near-realistic environment for participating pilots. Exercise Saffron Bandit is still supervised and its syllabus constantly improved by the CCS.