Earth Breaking Cermony of PAF's ACE (Air Power Center of Excellence)

Islamabad:  Earth breaking ceremony of PAF's ACE (Air power Center of Excellence)  was held at PAF Base, Mushaf on 22 February, 2016. 

According to PAF sources, ACE will be one of the very few air power centers of the world and the first of its class in the region. The institute would link operations, research and doctrine to orchestrate air campaigns with air combat tactics. The institute would enhance PAF capability to undertake complex, demanding future challenges and counter terrorist operations.

Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force was the chief guest at the occasion. Principal Staff Officers and senior PAF officers attended the ceremony.

While addressing the audience, The Air Chief said that establishment of this institution would be an important hallmark in PAF’s training regimen and it would pave the way for provision of quality training to PAF’s personnel. He further said that establishment of this facility would further strengthen the relations of Pakistan Air Force with friendly air forces of the world.

ANALYSIS:

Establishment of PAF's ACE is indeed a step forward in right direction on the strategic level planning and war gaming by PAF. The role of this center is going to be much larger in scope compared to CCS (Combat Commanders School also located at Muhsaf base). Apart from obvious pilot training, with a new born aviation industry, in the country, such establishments become inevitable to push the own aircraft to its limits to monitor where it can be improved. This will not only expand the operational planning scope of air commanders but would also tell aeronautical high-ups about technical requirements in aircraft, air defense system, force multipliers (AEW&C and Air tankers  etc.) so that better acquisition and upgrading decisions can be made quickly in order to give PAF competitive edge over its adversaries.

US Red Flag or the Turkish Anatolian Eagle or even NATO Tiger Meet are few examples of such centers of excellence around the world. PAF has participated in Red Flag and Anatolian Eagle multinational aerial combat exercises.