The No. 10 Squadron nicknamed Bulls, is a Multi-Role Tanker-Transport squadron of the Pakistan Air Force's 35th Air Mobility Wing. Currently deployed at Nur Khan Air Base, the squadron is the PAF's only Aerial Refueling squadron operating 4 IL-78MP Midas and Airbus A319 tankers.[1][2][3][4]
| No. 10 Squadron "Bulls" | |
|---|---|
IL-78MP of the 10 Squadron takes off in 2012.
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| Active | 1959–1960 2010–present |
| Disbanded | 1960–2010 |
| Country |  Pakistan |
| Allegiance |  Pakistan Armed Forces |
| Branch |  Pakistan Air Force |
| Type | Squadron |
| Role | Aerial refueling & Airlift |
| Airbase | PAF Base Nur Khan |
| Nickname(s) | Bulls |
| Motto(s) | شاہین کبھی پرواز سے تھک کر نہیں گرتا (Urdu for 'The Shaheen never gets tired of flying') |
| Mascot(s) | A Black Bull |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Bomber | Martin B-57 Canberra |
| Transport | Ilyushin IL-78 Airbus A319 |
Raised on 15 August 1959 at PAF Base Mauripur, the No. 10 squadron was the Operational conversion unit for training pilots and navigators on the B-57 Canberra bombers. It kept functioning for 6 months till the No. 7 Squadron PAF was formed and took it's role. As a result, the squadron was number plated on 1 March 1960.[5]
It was re-raised in 2010 equipped with 4 newly purchased Ilyushin IL-78MP Midas tankers. These were fitted with removable fuel tanks and UPAZ aerial refueling pods.[6] Besides being assigned aerial refueling role, the squadron also provides logistics support services.[2][1]
In 2020, the squadron's IL-78s were upgraded by Ukrspecexport as part of a $20 Million upgradation project.[7][8]
In 2020, the IL-78s of the squadron ferried crucial medical supplies from China to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan.[9]
During the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes, an IL-78 of the squadron undertook relief operations in Turkey transporting 16.5 tons of humanitarian aid to Adana.[10] Moreover, in 2024, an IL-78 of the squadron delivered 20 tons of medical supplies and food items to affected Palestinians of the 2023 Israel–Hamas war.[11]
In July 2023, an Airbus A319 was added to the squadron's fleet. The Airbus later proved to be an important role player in evacuating 149 Pakistanis stranded in Sudan after the outbreak of civil war.[2][12]
In July 2024, the squadron's Airbus A319 air ambulance rescued the renowned Samina Baig from a botched summit of K2 transporting her from SkardutoRawalpindi.[13]
Hashmir, Qadeer (2014). History of the Pakistan Air Force (1999-2013): Entering the new century.
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