Raised in 1957 and is presently equipped with F-7 aircraft
No 20 Squadron was raised initially as a flight at PAF Base, Masroor
in March 1956. The unit was upgraded to squadron status within
a year of its formation. Its first CO being Flight Lieutenant
Zulfiqar A Khan. The squadron was number-plated in June 1972 and
was reactivated in June 1977. Initially the squadron was equipped
with RT-33 photo recce aircraft and its role was day photographic
survey and reconnaissance.
In June 1977, the squadron was reequipped with French-built
Mirage-III RP aircraft and was assigned the role of tactical attack
and reconnaissance during both day and night. In May 1986, the
unit went through another reequipment, this time with Chinese
built F-6 aircraft, and was assigned the role of air superiority.
One of the earliest tasks of the Squadron was to conduct
a photographic survey of the northern areas with its RT-33s. These
missions were undertaken over difficult and uncharted terrain,
and often in marginal weather conditions. For his personal contribution
as well as for the performance of the unit, the squadron commander,
Flight Lieutenant M Anwar Saeed was awarded Tamgha-i-Basalat.
In 1963 the squadron made a major contribution towards
an amicable demarcation of the border between Pakistan and China
by providing detailed and accurate photographic data. Despite
its magnitude the task was completed in one month and in recognition
of the unit's excellent performance the officer commanding Squadron
Leader A Sattar Chaudhry was awarded Sitara-i-Basalat.
In 1964, No 20 Squadron undertook a task of immense
national importance when it photographed the major river basins
of the country to facilitate the work of the World Bank's Indus
Basin Project. The unit can justly be proud of its contribution
towards the siting of Mangla and Tarbela dams, the two largest
the country.
The squadron flew 24 tactical reconnaissance missions
during the 1965 war. In spite of the great disadvantage of operating
a slow and unarmed aircraft, the pilots of 20 Squadron operated
well inside enemy territory and photographed vital targets both
for the Pakistan Air Force and the Pakistan Army. For this courageous
performance the squadron commander, Squadron Leader Mir Mubariz
Ahmed was awarded Tamgha-i-Basalat. In 1971 a detachment of the
squadron was deployed in East Pakistan also to provide photographic
intelligence to the army. No. 20 Tactical Attack and Reconnaissance
Squadron was presented with the squadron colour by Air Chief Marshal
Zulfiqar Ali Khan on 6th April 1978.
