The chronicles on the World's
Aviation Hall of Fame and the accomplishments of Pakistan Air Force will remain
incomplete without mentioning of Air Commodore (Retd) Muhammad Mahmood Alam
(Late), popularly known as "M. M. Alam"- A daring fighter pilot, Top
Gun of his own class, war hero, a committed professional, scholar par
excellence, a patriotic Pakistani and, an icon and a role model not only for
the PAF airmen but for aviators across the globe.
M. M. Alam, nick named as Little
Dragon, was born on 06 July 1935 in a well-educated family of Calcutta, then in
British India. At that time his father, Muhammad Masood Alam, a senior Civil
Servant was posted in the province of Bihar. Alam was the eldest amongst five
brothers and six sisters - a family which has the distinct honour of producing
four PhDs (three brothers and one sister) for Pakistan. In 1971, after
emergence of Bangladesh, despite his family was settled there, Alam decided to
settle in Pakistan which is a manifestation of his profound patriotism and loyalty
to Pakistan. The family ultimately migrated to Pakistan after 1971, when Alam
was a Wing Commander and posted at Air Headquarters.
Like any youth, joining the Armed
Forces of Pakistan to attain martyrdom was Alam's passion. His desire found its
way forward through "Shaheen Air Scouts" established by former Royal
Pakistan Air Force Chief, the late Air Vice Marshal Atcherly in 1950s with the
objective to inspire and motivate young students to join RPAF. After completing
secondary education from Government High School, Dhaka, in 1951, M. M. Alam
joined RPAF in 1952 and was granted commission on 2nd of October, 1953.
In 1954, Pilot Officer M. M. Alam
started his career as a Squadron Pilot in No. 9 and then in No. 14 Squadrons
flying the best aircraft then available with RPAF. Today, these squadrons take
great pride in being associated with M. M. Alam.
In 1963, he was appointed as Air
Gunnery & Tactical Instructor at Fighter Leader School. Later on, M. M.
Alam commanded No. 11. No. 5 and No. 26 Squadrons of PAF. At Air Headquarters
some of his prestigious appointments were Director Operation Research.
Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Flight Safety) and Assistant Chief of the Air
Staff (Plans). He also remained on deputation in Syria.
Year 1965 was unquestionably the
peak point of the Pakistan Air Force's history as it brought into focus the
fundamental character of this relentless Air Force when faced, for the first
time, with a full scale confrontation with its number one enemy, the Indian Air
Force. During this aerial battle, Squadron Leader M. M. Alam, who was
Commanding No. 11 Squadron at Sargodha, emerged as Pakistan's top-scoring
fighter ace. On 7th September 1965, Alam shot down 05 Hawker Hunter Fighters of
Indian Air Force, in air-to-air combat. On that Alam's day, in less than sixty
seconds, the first four metallic birds were made rubbles within a span of 30
seconds only. His feat is still an unbroken world record and a dream for any
claimant of Top Gun. Amazing it was, indeed, for many that how Squadron Leader
Alam did that. Alam had an answer for this, and he said: "We were fighting
with a passion founded on faith..... (Battle for Pakistan By John Friker p.
20). For his exceptional flying skills and valour, he was awarded Sitarai
Juraat and Bar'. The Govt of Pakistan also paid him a befitting tribute by
naming one of the prominent roads in Gulberg, Lahore after this living legend's
name.
During 1971 Indo-Pak war, Wing
Commander M. M. Alam was assigned the important duty of planning strategic
aerial strikes on enemy's assets and supporting the friendly forces. He was one
of the masterminds, planning strikes on ground. Very few know that his name was
often used by his junior PAF pilots using his call sign while impersonating as
if "Alam is actually" in Air, resultantly winning the half of the
likely Air Battle before it actually took place.
In 80's, M. M. Alam being a
member of the PAF selection team that visited different countries selected
American F-16s to meet PAF's future requirements. It was certainly Alam's
foresight and wisdom that till date the F-16s are a terror in the sky for the
enemy and a source of pride for every Pakistani.
In 1982, "the man who
married the sky", retired from Pakistan Air Force as an Air Commodore and took
up residence in Karachi Alam led a simple life with little more than a pile of
books stacked around him. It is believed that Alam not only advised and
inspired the Afghan Mujahideen in their operations against the Soviet invasion
but also gave all his savings in the cause of Jihad
National heroes like Air
Commodore M. M. Alam (Retd) are a source of inspiration for the posterity. He
was an individual who drew strength from his Faith in Almighty Allah and proved
himself worthy of the revered greatness which very few achieve in their life.
He will always remain alive in the hearts of the nation. His deeds conveyed the
massage that the ultimate aim of life is to fulfil our duty towards the Supreme
Power, Allah, and our fellow beings.
To commemorate the recipient of Sitara-e-Jurat Air Commodore (R) M. M. Alam SJ (with bar), Pakistan Post is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs.8/-denomination on March 20, 2014.
