Exercise High Mark
Exercise High Mark is an advanced aerial combat training exercises hosted by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to periodically test all operational and combat assets of the PAF at the same time in a warlike situation.[1]
Conducted after every five consecutive years, High Mark is aimed at executing difficult aerial operations in a near-realistic tactical environment in joint missions while integrating new inductions and providing role-oriented training to combat and support elements of PAF.[2] Since 1989, the air crews and operational combat units of the Navy and Army extensively take part in High Mark to provide further enhancement in executing joint operations, integration, and cooperation amongst each inter–services grand strategy.[3][3] .[4]
Under the aegis of the Air HQ at Rawalpindi Cantt, the High Mark exercises give the air force an opportunity to learn to deploy the combat squadrons in the shortest time possible.[5] The High Mark exercises resulted in conceiving the innovative idea of "Operational Readiness Inspection" (ORI) and during the last decade, High Mark exercises were held during 1989, 1993, and 1995.[6]
Combat overview
Origin
The origin of High Mark was the unacceptable performance of PAF fighter pilots and weapon systems officers (WSO) in response to Indian Army's Operation Brasstacks which was conducted in 1987.[7]
On 14 November 1989, the first exercise was hosted by the PAF which lasted until 23 December 1989, where its tactical planning and operational analysis were oversaw by the AHQ. The aim of this exercise was to create a very realistic aerial war games for the full range of air operations and to employ all participating units in their war roles and to identify weaknesses affecting mission accomplishment.[8] The Exercise Zarb–e–Momin of the Pakistan Army was also tried out for the first time, with the Northern Air Command affiliating with the X Corps in order to understand each other’s requirements at the strategic and tactical levels before finalizing the air support plan.[8]
High Mark is aimed to mobilize and periodically test all combat and non-combat assets of the PAF at the same time in a warlike situation.[1] The exercise provides a joint understanding of air force pilots' participation in joint ground and seaborne operations of how they will fly and fight under challenging environments.[1] Under this exercise, nearly all of the PAF installations are deployed simultaneously at numerous locations; there are no days or nights.[1] According to Pakistan Defence Consortium, the combat squadrons "are deployed in the shortest possible time, often surpassing the redeployment standards laid down by the planners at Air HQs. The 'Operational Readiness Inspection' (ORI) during these exercises has also proved very useful."[1]
Inter–Services involvement
Since 2010, this exercise has included ground troops of the Pakistan Army, who are deployed in the second phase, followed by deployment of the Pakistan Navy air arm as third phase.[3] All operations and combat missions are supervised by the air force, with the navy and army playing their respective roles to succeed in the goals of the mission.[3][5]
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Shabbir, Usman (2012). "Exercise High Mark". Pakistan Defence Consortium. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
- ↑ ISPR PAF staff writer. "PAF Exercise HIGH MARK 2010 kicks off" (PDF). PAF ISPR. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "PAF's High Mark exercise enters second phase". Pakistan Times. 7 April 2010. Archived from the original on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 7 April 2010.
- ↑ Hali, S.M. (17 March 2010). "PAFs 'Exercise High Mark 2010". The Nation, 2010. The Nation. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "PAF launches 'High Mark-2010' to enhance operations". Daily Times (Pakistan). 16 March 2010. Retrieved 3 November 2012.[dead link]
- ↑ "Exercises by PAF". PAFDEF Staff. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
- ↑ Bhattachariya, Samir (2014). Nothing But! All Is Fair in Love and War. Partridge Pub. ISBN 1482817322. Retrieved 14 December 2014. Search this book on
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Staff wrtier. "Exercise 'High Mark – 89′ and 'Zarb-e-Momin'". PAF PakDEF. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
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