Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) has conducted Air-to-Ground Firing Exercise-2024 (Exercise Flash Point) on Wednesday at Rasulpur Firing Range in Tangail district. Chief of Air Staff of the BAF, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, was present during the exercise as Chief Guest and observed various activities of the exercise. Besides, higher officials from different ministries, high-ranking military officials from the Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Air Force, and local administrative personnel also observed the event. The primary objective of this exercise is to showcase the operational capabilities of the BAF while maximizing the utilization of its assets. By displaying tactical maneuvers, precision targeting, and coordinated firepower, the event aims to evaluate the effectiveness of existing BAF resources and infrastructure. All types of aircraft in the BAF inventory, including fighter jets, transport aircraft, and helicopters participated in this exercise, says an ISPR media release. Air Chief leaves for China This prestigious event is part of the BAF's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of operational readiness, ensuring that the pilots are equipped with the skills necessary to respond effectively in real-world combat situations to keep the sky free from intruders. Various fighter aircrafts including MiG-29B/UB, F-7/FT-7 and K-8W aircraft showcased their precision strike capabilities and agility in combat scenarios. Additionally, AN-32 transport aircraft demonstrated their effectiveness in logistical support, troop deployment, and airlift operations. Helicopters like Mi-17, AW-139 and Bell-212 also demonstrated their adaptability in various combat roles such as air-to-ground firing, close air support, search and rescue, troops insertion, and tactical mobility. This exercise by BAF aircraft will provide an invaluable opportunity for BAF pilots and crew to showcase their technical expertise, tactical acumen, and precision in task-intensive environments. Participants will gain hands-on experience in accuracy by targeting and delivering munitions which is essential for maintaining readiness in diverse contingencies. While the primary role of BAF is counter air operations, providing close air support to its sister services is also one of its essential tasks. Moreover, this exercise will not only sharpen their skills but also help refine tactics and improve operational efficiency, ensuring that BAF pilots remain at the forefront of modern combat capabilities.

A pilot died and another was injured after a training fighter jet of Bangladesh Air Force crashed into the Karnaphuli river in  Chattogram on Thursday (May 09, 2024) morning. The pilot, Asim Jawad, passed away around 12:30 pm while undergoing treatment at BNS Issa Khan Hospital in Patenga, said Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Port Divison Deputy Commissioner Shakila Sultana. The injured pilot is Wing Commander Sohan.   Air Force training fighter jet crashes in Ctg; 2 pilots rescued  The two pilots managed to eject from the aircraft  through parachutes. They were rescued and taken to hospital. The BAF aircraft of Zahurul Haq Base crashed near the Boat Club. “A YAK 130 training fighter of the Bangladesh Air Force crashed at Patenga in Chattogram due to mechanical failure. Two pilots of the plane were rescued,” reads a statement released by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Divers and fire fighters are working to retrieve the aircraft.  Read more: Bangladesh Air Force Chief departs for Australia

A training fighter jet of Bangladesh Air Force crashed into the Karnaphuli river in  Chattogram on Thursday (May 09, 2024) morning. “A YAK 130 training fighter of the Bangladesh Air Force crashed at Patenga in Chattogram due to mechanical failure. Two pilots of the plane were rescued,” reads a statement released by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Read more: Bangladesh Air Force Annual Exercise 2023 being held

Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) is about to replace its contingent at the United Nations Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).   Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan, chief of air staff of BAF, gave directives to the new contingent members at Dhaka Cantonment on Wednesday. The chief of air staff advised them to discharge their duties with discipline, honesty, professionalism and sincerity to bring a good reputation for BAF as well as for the country, said the Inter Services Public Relation Directorate.   The chief of air staff also advised them to brighten the country's image by performing their duty cordially through respect, compassion and care for all irrespective of religion. Read more: Bangladesh Air Force stands ready for post-Sitrang response He also urged everyone to set an unprecedented example abroad by following various regulations of the UN.  One hundred and ten of one contingent (Airfield Services and Management Unit) will go to Mali where BAF deployed necessary airfield and ground support equipment.   Read more: BAF helicopters sent to UN peacekeeping mission in CAR

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said Bangladesh Air Force is now more powerful and up-to-date than ever before, due to measures taken by her government for the development of the force. “Today's Air Force is much more powerful, modern and agile than it was in the past in terms of infrastructure, tactics and technology,” she said. The PM was addressing the President Parade (winter)-2022 of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) Academy in Jashore. At the function, a total of 10 flight cadets received the flying badges from her for their successful completion of the basic flying training in PT-6 aircraft. Besides, a flight cadet received the coveted Sword of Honour and Commandant’s Trophy, while two others received Birshreshtha Matiur Rahman Trophy and Chief of Air Staff Trophy for their best performances in different categories during the 81st BAFA course. Read more: My dream is to see Bangladesh playing World Cup football: PM Hasina Speaking at the event, Sheikh Hasina said her government has taken various steps to increase the operational capacity of the air force after assuming power in 2009. The steps include the induction of F-7 BGI fighter aircrafts, C-130J transport aircraft with the latest avionics, MI-171Sh helicopters, and maritime search and rescue helicopters in the fleet of the air force. “As a result, our Air Force today is a smart and efficient force,” she said. The PM asked newly-commissioned officers of Bangladesh Air Force to develop a sense of responsibility towards the country and its people to gain public trust and confidence. “You will have to have a sense of responsibility towards the country and its people,” she said. Sheikh Hasina said members of the air force or the armed forces stand beside people of the country and serve them during disasters – cyclone, flood – or accidents. Read more: Don’t harm nature during project implementation: PM Hasina To gain public trust and confidence is most important, she said. “We don’t want war, rather want peace. We believe in the policy of friendship with all. Even then, we’ll have to maintain excellence from every aspect, getting training and to move with confidence,” she said. In line with the Defence Policy-1974, framed by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, her government has formulated a long-term ‘Forces Goal-2030’ for the Armed Forces, which is being implemented, the PM said. She said the AL government has set up Bangabandhu Aeronautical Centre, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University in Lalmonirhat, and started the operation of Air Defence Notification Centre. She said now a project of experimental aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicle construction through Bangladesh Air Force's own manpower and acquired technology is underway. “I think a new era will open for us (over the aircraft manufacturing industry), if we can do these (complete the project),” she added. Read more: PM Hasina hails the Armed Forces for standing by the people : PM Sheikh Hasina said her government has always put emphasis on the development and modernisation of training facilities to enhance the overall efficiency of air force personnel. To ensure improved and time-befitting training, the latest Yak-130 combat trainer with state-of-the-art fly-by-wire and digital cockpit, K-8W jet trainer, L-410 transport trainer, AW119KX helicopter trainer and different simulators have been added to the air force, she said. The most recent addition was the Grob training aircraft.  The basic flight training will be started with this state-of-the-art training aircraft, she said, adding that the night vision trainer has also been added to facilitate flying training of the Air Force pilots at night. The government has approved the organisational structure of Helicopter Simulator Training Institute and Airman Training Institute and most recently the organisational structure of the Air Command Operations Center. “As a result, our air defence system has become foolproof and it’s easier to monitor a wide range of aircraft operations in the country's airspace. Not only operations and training, we’ve taken multi-faceted welfare initiatives to improve the lives of all serving and retired members of the Bangladesh Air Force,” she said. Pointing at the passing cadets, the premier asked them to strive for professional excellence through proper training. Earlier, the PM inspected the smartly turned-out parade and took salute at the BAF Academy Parade Ground as well as witnessed a spectacular fly-past and aerobatic display. On her arrival at the venue, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan received the Prime Minister.

Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan, chief of air staff of Bangladesh Air Force, left Dhaka for the US Tuesday at the invitation of General Charles Q. Brown, Jr., chief of staff of US Air Force.   During the visit, Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan will pay a courtesy call to the US Air Force chief of staff. General Charles Brown and Air Chief Marshal Abdul Hannan will discuss bilateral issues of mutual interests at the Pentagon, said the Inter Service Public Relation (ISPR) Directorate. Air Chief Marshal Abdul Hannan's visit is expected to play a vital role in strengthening the Bangladesh-US ties. Read: Bangladesh Air Force chief leaves for UK Also, the Bangladesh Air Force chief will join the International Air Chiefs Conference hosted by US Air Force in Washington DC. Air chiefs and high officials of the air force of nearly 50 countries will also join it.   Later, Air Chief Marshal Abdul Hannan will attend an air show, marking the 75th anniversary of US Air Force.

The certificate award ceremony of No 61 Flying Instructors’ Course of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) was held at Flying Instructors’ School (FIS), Arulia Air Field in Bogura district on Sunday. Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan attended the ceremony as the Chief Guest and distributed certificates among the course participants. In his speech, the Chief Guest mentioned that now the student officers are part of a glorious team of Flying Instructors who will train the future pilots with skill to defend the sky of our beloved motherland. Also read: Certificate award ceremony of BAF aircraft accident investigation course held A total of 15 officers attended the course, out of which 14 officers from Bangladesh Air Force and one officer from Sri Lanka Air Force and successfully completed the course. Squadron Leader Nawaz Mohammad Sharif, GD(P) of no 61 Flying Instructors’ Course was adjudged as the best all round student officer and awarded with the prestigious ‘Mofiz Trophy’. Officer Commanding of Flying Instructors’ School (FIS) Group Captain Mehedi Hasan gave a brief resume on the course conducted by the school. Also read: BAF displays colorful fly past, aerobatics show to mark Padma bridge opening Among others, Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations) Air Vice Marshal Md Shafiqul Alam, Air Officer Commanding of BAF Base Birsreshto Matiur Rahman Air Vice Marshal M A Awal Hossain and senior officers of Armed Forces were also present on the occasion.

Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan, chief of air staff of Bangladesh Air Force, returned home Wednesday from an official visit to the UK. Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan's visit is expected to strengthen the Bangladesh-UK ties and enhance the scope of cooperation in the professional sectors. The chief of air staff left Dhaka for the UK on a seven-day official visit at the invitation of Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, chief of the air staff of the Royal Air Force, according to the Inter Service Public Relation Directorate. Read:Air Chief back from Turkey Air Chief Marshal Abdul Hannan visited the C-130 Hercules aircraft maintenance, modification and repairing organisation Marshall Aerospace Facility. Also, he attended the Global Air Chiefs' Conference 2022 organised by the Royal Air Force in London. The conference included seminars on operational integration, technological adaptation, and digital skills. After that, the chief of air staff attended the world's largest air show Royal International Air Tattoo 2022 at Royal Air Force Fairford. Air Chief Marshal Abdul Hannan also attended the Farnborough International Airshow 2022 in London.

Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan, chief of air staff of Bangladesh Air Force, returned home Thursday from an official visit to Canada. Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan's visit is expected to strengthen the existing Bangladesh-Canada ties and play a vital role in the maintenance of BAF aircraft and helicopters, expanding the scope of cooperation in professional sectors in future. The chief of air staff had left Dhaka for Canada last Sunday at the invitation of Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force Lieutenant General AD Meinzinger, the Inter Service Public Relation Directorate said Friday. During the visit, Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan called on President and CEO of Canadian Commercial Corporation Bobby Kwon and Assistant Deputy Minister of Global Affairs Canada Paul Thoppil. They exchanged views on bilateral issues of mutual interests. The chief of air staff visited the aerospace engineering and maintenance institute "Cascade Aerospace," "Maxcraft Avionics Facilities," and "Heliwelders Canada Facility." During this visit, he observed the progress of the BAF C-130B aircraft, which is under overhauling process at Cascade Aerospace. Also, the chief of air staff visited the "Bell Helicopter Facility" and "Advantech Wireless Technology Facility" in Ottawa. Also read: BAF fully capable of protecting Bangladesh air space: Air Chief

A 45-year-old man who sustained injuries while collecting relief thrown from a helicopter of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) in Tahipur upazila in Sunamganj on Monday died at a hospital in Sylhet on Tuesday. The deceased was identified as Biplab Mia, son of Shahid Ali of Tahirpur upazila. Matiur Rahman Moti, former member of Tahirpur union, said BAF members distributed relief materials among the flood victims from a helicopter at Sheikh Russel Mini Stadium at Tahirpur upazila headquarters on Monday. Six people including Biplab suffered injuries while they were scrambling for the relief materials. The injured were taken to Tahirpur Upazila Health Complex.  Read: Flood situation worsens in Kurigram, over 2 lakh affected Of the injured, Biplab, father of two sons and two daughters, was shifted to Ragib Rabeya Medical College on Monday night where he succumbed to his injures around 9 am on Tuesday.