PAF Base Shahbaz

PAF Base Shahbaz is located in Jacobabad, Sindh, and is operated by the Pakistan Air Force under Southern Air Command in coordination with the Civil Aviation Authority. The airfield was established in 1942 by the British Raj for the Royal Air Force during World War II. Following Pakistan's independence, the Civil Aviation Department managed the site until 1967, when the Pakistan Air Force assumed operational and administrative control. The facility initially functioned as a forward operating base and satellite station for PAF Base Masroor and PAF Base Samungli.

The base was activated during the 1999 Kargil War and supported logistics for NATO during Operation Enduring Freedom between 2001 and 2004. In 2007, the facility was selected to host F-16C/D Fighting Falcons, leading to the commencement of Project Shahbaz. This initiative involved construction and development to transition the airfield into a main operating base. The first F-16 aircraft were delivered to the base in 2010. During the 2025 India–Pakistan conflict, infrastructure including the air traffic control tower and aircraft hangars sustained damage, with subsequent repairs documented.

Current operations are centered around the 39 Tactical Wing. The base hosts 5 Squadron "Falcons," operating F-16C/D Vipers, and 11 Squadron "Arrows," operating F-16A/B MLU aircraft. The 88 Search and Rescue Squadron "Rams" operates Leonardo AW139 helicopters from the site. Lockheed Martin contract personnel are present at the installation to provide technical support.

Infrastructure at the base includes aircraft hangars, an air traffic control tower, and personnel facilities such as a sports complex and water filtration plants. The installation is configured to support the maintenance and operation of multi-role fighter squadrons and search and rescue assets.