Maj (Retd.) MK Sagheer

PakDef would like to thank Maj. (Retd.) MK Sagheer for allowing us permission to host these images from his personal collection and his son Asad Sagheer for scanning all the pictures

Maj. MK Sagheer retired from service in 1974. His Parent arm when he was commissioned in the Pakistan Army was Signals but latter joined the AirOP arm which he served till his retirement.  He had the distinction of being one of the first non-Artillery officers selected for AirOP.  

Maj (Retd) MK Sagheer received his Rotary Wing (RW) conversion training in 1963 at Fort Wolters, Texas, and subsequently went on to develop much of what Pakistan Army Aviation did with helicopters – he was one of the Pakistan Army Aviation RW pioneers.  While stationed with Army Aviation School, he helped to set the RW syllabus by authoring the primary RW Aerodynamics manual, RW syllabus for OH-13s and Alouette III - short course (in emergencies) and long course (peace time). Standardized the OH-13s and Alouette-III instructors "patter" for all RW courses and served as Flight Commandant at Army Aviation School (precursor to today’s RW-CFI) -  logging some 4000 hours of accident-free flying over his service in Pakistan.   He trained helicopter pilots from PAF and PN, and pilots from Abu Dhabi for the first time ever during his tenure at Army Aviation School.

Other notable contributions were the crest design for Army Aviation School and 4th Squadron, and introduction of the Wreath and Crest indicating flying experience on the Army Aviation Brevet. He was one of the 1st pilots on the OH-13s, on the Alouette III, and UH-1H and did the recommendation for the Jet Ranger induction (but left the Army before it made it to service).   He saw action in 1965 war (Kashmir and 11 division), 1971 war (in East Pakistan, escaping to Burma by flying out in broad daylight amidst enemy air action).  Was part of the first team of OH-13s that went to Gilgit and Khunjerab Pass, under then Lt. Col NUK Babar, CO 3 Squadron and was the first to be posted to Gilgit with Maj. Aftab, flying OH-13s to support FWO Operations.

Maj (Retd) Sagheer was awarded distinct recognition by Sud-Aviation when he gave demonstrations to the senior GHQ Command of Alouette-III external load carrying capabilities at the inception of the Alouette-III in Pakistan Army.  He also received various GHQ endorsements for his flight safety record and personal commendation from US Senator Charles Percy while acting as VVIP pilot during the Senator’s visits to Pakistan.  

	High altitude training flight in Azad Kashmir with Alouette conversion course students – Haji Pir Area.  Stationed with Army Aviation School 1969.  [Picture Copyright: Asad Sagheer]
	Capt. Sagheer with some junior officers from 7 Division. Stationed with 3 Army Aviation Squadron, attached to 11 Division visiting 7 Division with Gen. Hamid.   [Picture Copyright: Asad Sagheer]
	Capt. Hisham (?) in Chammb after 1965 ceasefire - caprured Indian territory. Stationed with 3 Army Division Squadron, attached to 11 Division visiting 7 Division with Gen. Hamid. [Picture Copyright: Asad Sagheer]
	A mosque in Chammb area after 1965 ceasefire. [Picture Copyright: Asad Sagheer]
	Portrait of Captain Sagheer taken by a medical officer (name?) - fondly known as Doctor by qualification and photographer by profession, nevertheless, quite famous in Army circles for his photo's.  [Picture Copyright: Asad Sagheer]
	GOC 12 Division being briefed on operations in Azad Kashmir, Summer 1965. Stationed with 3 Army Aviation Squadron, on mission with 12 Division. [Picture Copyright: Asad Sagheer]
	GOC 12 Division being briefed on operations in Azad Kashmir, Summer 1965. Stationed with 3 Army Aviation Squadron, on mission with 12 Division. [Picture Copyright: Asad Sagheer]
	Indian fort in Chammb after 1965 ceasefire. Stationed with 3 Army Aviation Squadron, attached to 11 Division visiting 7 Division with General Hamid. [Picture Copyright: Asad Sagheer]
	On captured Indian territory after the 1965 ceasefire. [Picture Copyright: Asad Sagheer]
	On mission with GOC 12 Division, summer of 1965. [Picture Copyright: Asad Sagheer]
	Picture shows assessment of battle areas in Chammb front line after cease fire, September 1965. [Picture Copyright: Asad Sagheer]
	An Indian AMX-13 tank and a truck abadoned in the river Tawi - September 1965. [Picture Copyright: Asad Sagheer]
	High altitude training flight in Azad Kashmir with Alouette conversion course students. Stationed with Army Aviation School Jan. 1969. From left to right, Capt. Sehgal, Maj. Sagheer (Instructor), Maj. Sajjad Nazim (Instructor), Maj. Farakh, Maj. Khalid Yasin, Capt. Mushtaq. [Picture Copyright: Asad Sagheer]
	1967 training in France at Sud-Aviation (Aerospaitialle) factory, shows Maj Ziauddin Javed, Monsieur Onde and Capt. Sagheer. [Picture Copyright: Asad Sagheer]
	OH-13S in Azad Kashmir, note the OH-13 on left that has beenbacked out over the cliff and the pilot (Capt. Sagheer) is holding the rotor to make space for 2nd helicopter to land. Capt. Bajwa piloting OH-13 on right. [Picture Copyright: Asad Sagheer]
	Capt. Aftab and Capt. Sagheer with US Army Rangers – for desert training in Sibbi area with Pakistan Army SSG. Stationed with 2 Squadron, June 1964. [Picture Copyright: Asad Sagheer]
	Maj. Bannister and Capt. Ahearn (US Army Rangers) – for desert training in Sibbi area with Pakistan Army SSG. Stationed with 2 Squadron, June 1964. [Picture Copyright: Asad Sagheer]
	A OH-13S somewhere in Azad Kashmir. [Picture Copyright: Asad Sagheer]
	Army Aviation School (AirOP School in those days) P4 Basic Course – briefing prior to cross country flight from Dhamial to Karachi - 1962. Briefing by (back to camera) Lt. Col G. Jabbar (School Commadant).   [Picture Copyright: Asad Sagheer]
	Army Aviation School RW Basic Course OH-13S, November 1968. Sitting From Left – Maj. Sajjad, Maj. Patrick Teirney, Lt. Col Aslam (Comd), Maj Azgar Aziz, Maj, MK Sagheer, Students Standing from left – Flt. LT Sajid, Lt. Anwar, Capt Tahuhid, Maj. Nasseem Khan, Capt. Mukhtar, Capt. Sher – EME, Capt. Siddiqui (First Air Force officer to get RW training from Army Aviation School). [Picture Copyright: Asad Sagheer]
	Anti Aircraft Base Drigh Road Karachi 1962. P4 Basic Course on training with Ack-Ack Base and Pak Navy. Left to Right, MK Sagheer, Khalid Kamal, Aftab Ahmed, Asghar Aziz, Saleeem Inayat, Jamil A Khalid, Manzur Kamal Bajwa, Ross Mehmud, Khalid J. Janjua, Sajjad Nazim, CH. Hamid Hussain, (Instructors) MAR Kallue, Sarfraz Rabbani, Riaz Ahmed. [Picture Copyright: Asad Sagheer]
	Callsign - Jehangir One, flying President ZA Bhutto in Gilgit, August 1972. Stationed with 5th Army Aviation Squadron, co-pilot Lt. Shaffi (Pak Navy) – under training with Army Aviation   [Picture Copyright: Asad Sagheer]
	Azad Kashmir, caught in the snow storm. [Picture Copyright: Asad Sagheer]
	High altitude training flight in Azad Kashmir with Alouette conversion course students – HajiPir Area. Stationed with Army Aviation School, Jan. 1969. Left to right, Maj. Asghar Aziz, Maj. MK Sagheer (CFI – RW), Maj. Farooq. HajiPir was a spur and as such provided excellent up-draft and down-draft simulation for students.   [Picture Copyright: Asad Sagheer]
	High altitude training flight in Azad Kashmir with Alouette conversion course students – HajiPir Area. Stationed with Army Aviation School, Jan. 1969. [Picture Copyright: Asad Sagheer]
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