Muhammad Mehmood Alam - fairyage

M.M. ALAM - FAIRYAGE

Muhammad Mehmood Alam, or M.M. Alam as he is better known, was born in Calcutta, British India on 6 July 1935. He had been facinated by toy aeroplanes since childhood. He was in his early teens when he saw Pakistan achieve independence, and he was determined to become a defender of the nation.

He joined the RPAF flying Training College at Risalpur in 1952, after a six month training at Pre-Cadet Training School, Quetta. Alam's lifelong dream of flying came true as he graduated as a Pilot Officer on 2 October 1953. In February 1964, he took command of No.11 Squadron in the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). It had the distinction of being the first PAF squadron to use jet fighters.

Alam is celebrated for his feats during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965. At that time, the PAF had only 104 fighters and 26 bombers against India's 476 fighters and 60 bombers. But the Pakistani pilots were calm and determined, ready to defend their country.

Alam set a new record. Few fighter pilots of any nation could claim nine victories in three combats. Fewer still could claim seven in just two days. And it is doubtful that anyone other than M.M. Alam has brought down four enemy planes in less than a minute. A pilot who witnessed this incredible achievement has described it as 'History being made'.

Alam commanded the No.11 Squadron until April 1966. In November 1967, he was promoted to the rank of Wing Commander and given command of the No.5 Squadron. His final position was Chief of Flight Safety.

For his exceptional flying skilland valour, Alam has been nicknamed 'Little Dragon'. His wortime exploits have made him famous all over the world. For his service to the nation during the war, the Government of Pakistan awarded Alam the Sitara-i-Juraat (the Star of Courage) 'M.M. Alam is an example of a remarkable leader and a great human being, comments an ex-officer who flew with him during the 1965 war. 'He was a source of inspiration and encouragement for many professional pilots in the PAF.'

Alam retired on 12 May 1982, after completing nearly three decades of military service. By then he had attained the rank of Air Commodore.

Since his retirement, Alam has been living a simple life in a sparsely furnished apartment in Karachi. He is a very learned and knowledgeable man and regularly contrubutes to the PAF's educational activities. He wants youngsters to read lots of books and learn from them.

Till today, he commands the admiration of his fellow Pakistanis. One of Lahore's roads, the M.M.Alam Road, is named after him. People who know him describe him as a friendly and humble person who wants to spread the message of peace, harmony, and sincerity within the nation.

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