Dilawar Hussain (air marshal)

For the Pakistani cricketer, see Dilawar Hussain.

Air Marshal Dilawar Hussain HI(M) SJ SI(M) SBt
دلاور حسین
Air Marshal Hussain in the 90s
8th Director General Pakistan Aeronautical Complex
In office May 1993 – November 1994
Preceded by	AVM M Yousaf Khan
Succeeded by	AVM Abdul Rahim Yousafzai
Air Officer Commanding Air Defence Command
In office August 1989 – July 1990
Preceded by	AVM Raja Aftab Iqbal
Succeeded by	AVM Anwar Mahmood Khan
Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Operations)
In office August 1988 – August 1989
Preceded by	AVM Farooq Feroze Khan
Succeeded by	AVM Bahar-Ul-Haque
Commander PAF Base Sargodha
In office July 1985 – December 1986
Personal details
Born	8 September 1940 Quetta, Pakistan
Died	24 November 2020(2020-11-24) (aged 80) Islamabad, Pakistan
Children	5
Education	Government College, Quetta PAF Academy
Awards	Hilal-e-Imtiaz Sitara-e-Jurat Sitara-e-Imtiaz Sitara-e-Basalat
Military service
Allegiance	Pakistan
Branch/service	Pakistan Air Force
Years of service	1962–1994
Rank	Air Marshal
Unit	No. 14 Squadron PAF No. 19 Squadron PAF No. 7 Squadron RSAF
Commands	Officer Commanding Combat Commanders' School Base Commander PAF Base Mushaf ACAS Air Operations at AHQ DCAS Operations at AHQ Air Officer Commanding Air Defence Command Director General Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Air Defence Command
Battles/wars	Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 Indo-Pakistani Air War of 1965 Pathankot airstrike Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 Indo-Pakistani air war of 1971 Battle of Sharoora

Dilawar Hussain (8 September 1940 – 24 November 2020) was a Pakistani former three-star rank officer in the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), known as a legendary pilot for his role in the Indo-Pakistani air war of 1965. He was the first Pakistani air force officer to command a Saudi fighter squadron, the No. 7 Squadron RSAF. Prior to his retirement, he served as the eighth Director General of the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex.

In 1994, Dilawar and Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Shafique Haider were controversially superseded by Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in favour of Abbas Khattak for the position of Chief of Air Staff. Khattak was later accused of receiving kickbacks from Mirage sales, along with Benazir's husband, Asif Ali Zardari.

Early life

Hussain was born at Quetta, one of the major cities of Pakistan in 1940. Completing his studies from the Government College in Quetta, he opted for the Pakistan Air Force.

Military career

Hussain joined the Pakistan Air Force Academy in 1959. During his training, he was sent to United States for advanced training with United States Air Force. He flew various elite aircraft of the time, including the T-33, T-34, and T-37. His tenure at foreign also allowed him acquiring experience of mastering the F-86.

1965 War

Hussain was assigned at No. 19 Squadron PAF during the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965. In the early hours of the war, the PAF conducted Pathankot airstrike, of which Hussain was a part. With only 8 F-86F, under the leadership of the then Squadron Leader Sajad Haider, No. 19 Sqn had destroyed at least 11 (some claims say 13 or 14) aircraft of Indian Air Force. Hussain flew an F-86F in this mission, which became PAF's most successful air raid. For Hussain's gallantry action, he was awarded Sitara-e-Jurat, Pakistan's third highest gallantry award.

1971 War

Hussain was a part of the No. 14 Squadron PAF at Dacca during the Indo-Pakistani war of 1971. On 4 December 1971, Hussain flew the Canadair Sabre Mk6 and shot down the then Flight Lieutenant Kenneth Charles Tremenheere of No. 14 Squadron IAF. The victim was later taken as PoW. On 6 December, Hussain flew with a group of four F-86s to support Pakistani soldiers in the Comilla Sector near Dacca. During this mission, one of the officers under command of Hussain, Flying Officer Shamshad reportedly shot an IAF Hunter.

Post war

After participating in two major wars, Hussain remained in the Air Force. Later he commanded the No. 14 Squadron, which was later modernized with JF-17 Thunder.
He held the appointment Director of Operations at the Air Headquarters. He also served as Commanding Officer of the Combat Commanders' School as a Group Captain. As an Air commodore, he was appointed as Base Commander PAF Base Mushaf, and Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations). Upon elevation to the rank of Air vice-marshal, he served as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Operations). He also headed the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex.

Death

Hussain died on 24 November 2020 at his residence in Islamabad. The then Chief of the Air Staff, Mujahid Anwar Khan had shared deep sorrow over the death of the respected War Veteran, according to a PAF news release. He was laid down with full military honour.

Awards and decorations

Hussain has been awarded with various awards throughout his distinguished military career. His awards and decorations are mentioned below.

PAF GD(P) Badge RED (More than 3000 Flying Hours)
Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) (Crescent of Excellence)	Sitara-e-Jurat (Star of Courage) 1965 War	Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) (Star of Excellence)	Sitara-e-Basalat (Star of Valour)
Tamgha-e-Diffa (Defence Medal) 1965 War Clasp 1971 War Clasp	Sitara-e-Harb 1965 War (War Star 1965)	Sitara-e-Harb 1971 War (War Star 1971)	Tamgha-e-Jang 1965 War (War Medal 1965)
Tamgha-e-Jang 1971 War (War Medal 1971)	10 Years Service Medal	20 Years Service Medal	30 Years Service Medal
Tamgha-e-Sad Saala Jashan-e-Wiladat-e-Quaid-e-Azam (100th Birth Anniversary of Muhammad Ali Jinnah) 1976	Hijri Tamgha (Hijri Medal) 1979	Tamgha-e-Jamhuriat (Democracy Medal) 1988	Qarardad-e-Pakistan Tamgha (Resolution Day Golden Jubilee Medal) 1990