View source for Special Services Wing

{{about|the Pakistan Air Force unit|other uses|special service (disambiguation)}}
{{One source|date=July 2020}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Special Services Wing (SSW)
| image                         = Pakistan Air Force Special Service Wing Badge.jpg
| image_size                    = 
| caption                       = The Special Warfare Insignia/Badge of PAF
| dates                         = 2004—present
| country                       = {{PAK}}
| branch                        = {{air force|PAK}}
| command_structure             = [[Air Force Strategic Command (Pakistan)|Air Force Strategic Command]]
| type                          = [[Special operations force]]
| role                          = *[[Special operations]]
*[[Strategic Airlift Capability|Strategic Airlift]]
*[[Special Reconnaissance]]
*[[Counter-terrorism]]
| size                          = 
| current_commander             = [[Air Commodore|Air-Commodore]] Sohail Imran Cheema
| garrison                      = [[Kallar Kahar]], [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]]
| ceremonial_chief              = 
| ceremonial_chief_label        = 
| colonel_of_the_regiment       = 
| motto                         = 'Faith, Piety, to strive in the path of Allah', 'Thunder and lightning is a message of death for you '
| colors                        = 
| colors_label                  = Colors
| march                         = 
| mascot                        = 
| battles                       = 
| identification_symbol_label   = Arm Badge
| identification_symbol_4       = SSW
| identification_symbol_4_label = Abbreviation
| anniversaries                 = 
}}

The '''Pakistan Air Force Special Services Wing''' is a [[special operations force]] who specialised in all aspects of [[air-to-ground communication]], including [[air traffic control]], [[fire support]], command, control and communications in covert counterterrorism or austere environments.  They are often assigned individually or as a team to [[Special Service Group|Army Special Service Group]], [[Special Service Group (Navy)|Navy Special Service Group]] and special tactics units of the [[Pakistan Marines]], to provide expert airfield seizure, airstrike control and communications capabilities.

==History==
{{unsourced section|date=February 2025}}
After the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|1965 war]] with [[India]], [[Air Commodore|Air Cdre]] [[Mukhtar Ahmad Dogar]] [[Sitara-e-Jurat|(SJ)]], who had flown Royal Indian Air Force aircraft supporting the Chindits Operating behind Japanese lines in Burma, was instrumental in creating a special forces unit for the Pakistan Air Force called SAW (Special Air Warfare Wing). The SAW was raised in 1966 under the command of Sqn Ldr Altaf Hussain Butt (GDP) as C.O of the unit. These Men were picked up directly from RTS (Recruit Training School) in January 1966. The unit was directly under the Directorate of Air Intl (DAI). In 1971, Upon request from PIA (Pakistan international Airline), members of SAW Unit were given to SKY MARSHALS to perform Flight Protection Services on all domestic and international flights till the end of 1973. When it was decided to convert the unit roll from Offensive to Defensive. 

In 1999, the concept of a special forces wing for the Air Force was again revived after the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1999|Kargil War]] with India. Senior officials and military scientists of the [[Pakistani Armed Forces]] were impressed in the way that [[United States Army Special Forces]] during the initial phase of the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|war in Afghanistan]] were able to secure targets, set up runways and airstrips for immediate use and direct strategic and tactical air strikes on enemy positions so quickly.{{cn|date=July 2024}} The Air Force established the division under the name Special Service Wing (SSW). One of the combat brigades of Special Service Wing had been carrying out special day-light aerial and night-aerial operations during the recent [[War in North-West Pakistan|insurgencies inside Pakistan]]. The unit, alongside [[Pakistan Navy|Navy]]'s [[Special Service Group Navy|SSGN]] and [[Pakistan Army|Army]]'s [[Special Service Group|SSG]], has actively participated in recent operations led by the Pakistan Army in Waziristan.{{cn|date=July 2024}}

==Training==
[[File:USAF & PAF Special Forces.jpg|thumb|USAF Special Forces Operative briefing SSW Commandos during Falcon Talon 2022]]
{{unsourced section|date=February 2025}}

All SSW members get their initial training from the Army's Special Operation School, Cherat. Soldiers wanting to join the SSW must have at least two years of service before they can join.

First, they are given basic training at Pakistan Air Force Ground Combat School Kallar Kahar for a 6–8 weeks. The initial course emphasizes tough physical conditioning and endurance. This includes a 40-mile march in 12 hours with 20&nbsp;kg weight and a 5-mile run in 35 minutes with full gear (60-80&nbsp;lbs) among the many physically demanding challenges. The concept of the initial training is designed to weed out the weak candidates. The drop out rate is very high; those who survive the initial training are then sent to Army Special Operation School for 9-12 Months for specialized training.

[[File:Pakistani & US Airforce Special Forces operatives during a joint military excercise.jpg|thumb|Pakistan Air Force SSW commandos with a USAF Special Forces operator]]

[[File:USAF & PAF Special Forces 1.jpg|thumb|USAF & PAF Special Forces coordinate during Falcon Talon 2022]]

==Organization==
{{unreferenced section|date=February 2025}}
Special Services Wing has five squadrons and one separate Flight Wing.
*Each Squadron consists of 250–400 men. Squadrons are divided into numerous flights which are further subdivided into 10-12 men teams. Squadrons are commanded by Wing Commanders/Squadron leaders.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan="3" style="background:#88EEEE;"|The Commando Squadrons Of PAF Special Services Wings (SSW) 
|-
!style="background:#88EEEE;"|'''PAF Special Operations Squadrons''' !!style="background:#88EEEE;|'''Nick'''!! style="background:#88EEEE;"|'''Details'''
|-
|style="background: #faf884;"|''PAF 1st Special Operations Squadron''!|| style="background: #faf884;|(1st SOS)  ||style="background: #faf884;"|The No. 1st Special Operation Squadron is one of [[Pakistan Air Force|PAF]]'s aggressor squadron. The members of No. 1 Special Operations Squadron are fighter-pilots by profession graduated from Combat Commander's School, but are also trained to participate with Pakistan Army's [[Special Service Group|SSG Anti-Terrorist Group]]. The No. 1 SOS are currently participated in [[War in North-West Pakistan|War in West-Pakistan]] along with [[Pakistan Navy|Navy]]'s [[Special Service Group Navy|SSG Naval Special Forces]]. They are distinguished when they had participated in [[Operation Black Thunderstorm]] led by Pakistan Army's 50th Airborne Division
|-
|style="background: #faf884;"|''PAF 2nd Special Operations Squadron ''||style="background: #faf884;|(2nd SOS) ||style="background: #faf884;"|The No. 2 Special Operation Squadron is dispatched with [[ISI (Pakistan)|ISI]], [[CIA]] and 427th Special Operations Squadron. It performs clandestine missions as part of the Global War on Terrorism, as part of the effort to destroy Al Qaeda.
|-
|style="background: #faf884;"|''PAF No. 3rd Special Operations Squadron'' ||style="background: #faf884;|(3rd SOS)|| style="background: #faf884;"|Anti Terrorist and Hostage Rescue Squadron, The No. 3 Squadron is trained for an immediate evacuation of hostages and high-value military personnel in a war-zone crises.
|-
|style="background:#e6e6aa;"|''PAF No. 4th Special Operations Squadron ''||style="background:#e6e6aa;|(4th SOS)||style="background:#e6e6aa;"|The No. 4 Squadron is based on providing [[Very Important Person]] (VIP) protection to state leaders and other VIP personnel's flight. The No. 4th Squadron is currently assigned to Islamabad, Pakistan.
|-
|style="background:#e6e6aa;"|''PAF No. 5th Paratrooper Training Squadron''||style="background:#e6e6aa;|(5th PTS)|| style="background:#e6e6aa;"|The members of No. 5th Paratrooper Squadrons are the Airborne forces of Pakistan Air Force. Together, they perform and participated in military operations led by Pakistan Army 50th Airborne Division.
|-
|style="background:#e6e6aa;"|''PAF No. 10th Special Reconnaissance Flight Squadron'' ||style="background:#e6e6aa;|(10th SRF)||style="background:#e6e6aa;"| The Number 10th Special Reconnaissance Flight Squadron are tasked with taking reconnaissance flights in enemy territories. The 10th SRF Group is closely associated with Pakistan's ISI [[Covert Action Division|Special Operations Directorate]] (SOD). As of today, the 10th SRF Squadron is participating in [[War in North-West Pakistan]], notably [[Operation Black Thunderstorm]] and [[Operation Rah-e-Nijat]], where they had taken numerous reconnaissance sorties and targeted high-value targets.
|}

==Uniform==
[[File:Pakistani F2000.JPEG|thumb|SSW Operatives with [[FN F2000]] during a training session]]
SSW (Special Services Wing) is distinguished by [[maroon beret]]s with PAF Officer, JCO or Airmen berret insignia, and a wing on the right side of the chest. The combat uniform of the SSW is green jungle camouflage. They also wear their wing insignia.

== Equipment ==
{{unreliable sources section|date=February 2025}}
=== Firearms ===
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Image
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Name
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Type
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Origin
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|[[Original equipment manufacturer|OEM]]
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;"|Notes
|-
! colspan="6" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Pistol]]s
|-
| [[File:GLOCK 17 Gen 4 Pistol MOD 45160305.jpg|150px]]
| [[Glock#9×19mm_Parabellum|Glock-17]]
| [[Semi-automatic pistol]]
| {{flag|Austria}}
| [[Glock Ges.m.b.H.]] 
| Standard issue sidearm.<ref name=mil>{{Cite web |title=Special Services Wing (Pakistan) Weapons |url=https://www.militaryfactory.com/special-forces/special-services-wing-pakistan.php |website=Military Factor}}</ref>
|-
| [[file:Glock 26 (6971790359).jpg|150px]]
| [[Glock#9×19mm_Parabellum|Glock-26]]
| Semi-automatic pistol
| {{flag|Austria}}
| [[Glock Ges.m.b.H.]] 
| Standard issue sidearm.<ref name=mil/>
|-
| 
| [[FN Five-seven]]
| Semi-automatic pistol
| {{flag|Belgium}}
| [[FN Herstal]]
| <ref name=mil/>
|-
! colspan="6" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Submachine gun]]s
|-
| [[file:Heckler & Koch MP5 b.jpg|150px]]
| [[Heckler & Koch MP5]]
| Submachine gun
| {{GER}}
| [[Heckler & Koch]]<br>[[Pakistan Ordnance Factories]]
| Locally made variants used. MP-5Kurz and MP-5SD versions also used.<ref name=mil/>
|-
| [[file:P90--.png|150px]]
| [[FN P90]]
| [[Personal defense weapon]]
| {{flag|Belgium}}
| [[FN Herstal]]
| <ref name=mil/>
|-
! colspan="6" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Assault rifle]]s
|-
| [[File:Pakistani F2000.JPEG|150px]]
| [[FN F2000]]
| [[Bullpup]] AR
| {{flag|Belgium}}
| [[FN Herstal]]
| Standard issue bullpup rifle.<ref name=mil/>
|-
| [[file:Steyr-AUG-A3-SF.webp|150px]]
| [[Steyr AUG]]
| Bullpup AR
| {{flag|Austria}}
| [[Steyr Arms]]
| <ref name=mil/>
|-
| [[file:M16A2 noBG.jpg|150px]]
| [[M16 rifle|M16A1]]
| Assault rifle
| {{USA}}
| [[Colt's Manufacturing Company|Colt]]
| <ref name=mil/>
|-
| [[file:Type 56-2 noBG.png|150px]]
| [[Type 56 assault rifle|Type 56]]
| Assault rifle
| {{CHN}}
| [[Norinco]]
| <ref name=mil/>
|-
| [[file:M4A1-flattop.jpg|150px]]
| [[M4 carbine|M4A1]]
| [[Carbine]]
| {{USA}}
| [[Colt's Manufacturing Company|Colt]]
| Standard issue carbine rifle.<ref name=mil/>
|-
! colspan="6" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Machine gun]]s
|-
| [[file:FN MINIMI Standard Right.jpg|150px]]
| [[FN Minimi]]
| [[Squad automatic weapon]]
| {{flag|Belgium}}
| [[FN Herstal]]
| <ref name=mil/>
|-
| [[file:BundeswehrMG3.jpg|150px]]
| [[MG 3 machine gun|Rheinmetall MG3]]
| [[General-purpose machine gun]]
| {{flag|Germany}}
| [[Rheinmetall]]<br>[[Pakistan Ordnance Factories]]
| <ref name=mil/>
|-
| [[file:FN MAG white background.jpg|150px]]
| [[FN MAG]]
| General-purpose machine gun
| {{flag|Belgium}}
| [[FN Herstal]]
| <ref name=mil/>
|-
| [[file:Machine gun Type81.jpg|150px]]
| [[Type 81 assault rifle#Domestic_Variants|Type 81]]
| [[Light machine gun]]
| {{flag|China}}
| [[Norinco]]
| <ref name=mil/>
|-
! colspan="6" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Sniper rifle]]s
|-
| [[file:Barrett-M82A1-Independence-Day-2017-IZE-048-white.jpg|150px]]
| [[Barrett M82]]
| [[Anti-materiel rifle]]
| {{flag|USA}}
| [[Barrett Firearms Manufacturing|Barrett]]
| <ref name=mil/>
|-
| [[File:PSG-1--transparent.png|150px]]
| [[Heckler & Koch PSG1]]
| [[Designated marksman rifle]]
| {{flag|Germany}}
| [[Heckler & Koch]]<br>[[Pakistan Ordnance Factories]]
| Also operates local license made [[PSR-90]].<ref name=mil/>
|-
! colspan="6" style="align: center; background: lavender;" | [[Rotary cannon]]
|-
|
| [[M134 Minigun|GAU-17/A]]
| [[Gattling gun]]
| {{flag|USA}}
| [[General Electric]]
| <ref name=mil/>
|-
|}

==See also==
* [[Special Service Group]] (Pakistan Army)
* [[Special Service Group (Navy)]] (Pakistan Navy)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlWIYffKXx0 Special Services Wing Training]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jem00pPFuLI SSW Special Ops]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQLcqvL2rrg&feature=player_embedded PAF sets up Commandos of SSG training center for Anti Terrorism operations]

{{Pakistani special forces}}
{{Air force infantry}}

[[Category:Military special forces of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Pakistan Air Force wings]]
[[Category:Airborne units and formations of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Air force special forces units]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1965]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1972]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 2004]]