PAF Base Nur Khan

PAF Base Nur Khan formerly known as PAF Base Chaklala, is an active airbase of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) located in Chaklala, Rawalpindi, in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The base is integrated with Islamabad International Airport, which was renamed Benazir Bhutto International Airport in June 2008.

History

Originally operated by the Royal Air Force as R.A.F. Chaklala, the base was utilized for parachute training operations during World War II. It is notable for being the only airport in Pakistan capable of accommodating the Concorde supersonic airliner.

Following its transfer to the Royal Pakistan Air Force, PAF Base Nur Khan became a vital transport hub, hosting various PAF transport aircraft. In response to the 2005 Pakistani floods, approximately 300 U.S. troops and U.S. aircraft were deployed to Chaklala to assist in relief efforts. An anonymous source indicated that the U.S. has maintained a permanent military presence at the base since late 2001, facilitating logistics and operations related to the war in Afghanistan.

In 2009, the PAF received its first Il-78 aerial refueling tanker aircraft at Chaklala, leading to the establishment of the No. 10 MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport) squadron.

In 2012, the base was renamed from PAF Base Chaklala to PAF Base Nur Khan in honor of its first Base Commander, Air Marshal Nur Khan, who also served as the second chief of the Pakistan Air Force and was a veteran of multiple conflicts involving Pakistan.

Location

PAF Base Nur Khan is situated in a densely populated area. Nearby facilities include the Frontier Works Organization Headquarters, Chaklala Railway Station, and the Joint Services Headquarters (JSHQ). The base's strategic location enhances its operational capabilities and accessibility.