25/05/2025
Saiful Azam: The Brave Bangladeshi Warrior Who Soared Through History
The legacy of Air Force heroism shines brightly with the name of Saiful Azam—a fearless pilot from Bangladesh whose extraordinary courage set him apart on the global stage.
While history has seen warriors like Giuseppe Garibaldi and Mike H***e fighting for multiple nations, and pilots like Steve Pisano and Joseph Frantisek flying for allied forces, few can match the unique path of Saiful Azam. He stands alone as a pilot who served in the air forces of four countries: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Jordan, and Iraq.
His heroism became legendary during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. Then a member of the Pakistan Air Force, Saiful Azam was seconded to the Iraqi Air Force. Though the war lasted only six days, his valor left an indelible mark on the hearts of Palestinians. His unmatched skill in aerial combat made him a celebrated figure in the Arab world.
Even after more than five decades, Palestinians still remember the warrior who fought for their cause. When he passed away on June 14, 2020, they mourned deeply, a testament to the lasting impact of his sacrifice and bravery.
During the Six-Day War, Israel quickly overwhelmed most Arab forces. On June 5, it had already destroyed two-thirds of Syria’s air force. By the next day, it had captured Gaza, the Sinai Peninsula, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, continuing its rapid advance with little resistance.
At that critical moment, Saiful Azam was stationed at Mafraq Air Base in Jordan. On June 6, four Israeli Dassault Super Mystère fighter jets approached the base, aiming to wipe out Jordan’s limited air power. The Arabs lacked comparable aircraft—but Azam rose to the challenge.
Flying a Hawker Hunter, he intercepted the Israeli jets and shot down two of them, an incredible feat given the odds. One plane crashed outright, and another—severely damaged—went down across the Israeli border. Thanks to his bravery, the Israeli strike was thwarted.
For this act of valor, both Iraq and Jordan awarded Saiful Azam with distinguished honors.
But his heroics didn’t end there. On June 7, he was tasked with defending Iraq’s H-3 and Al-Walid airbases. That day, Israeli forces attacked with four Vautour bombers and two Mirage IIIC fighter jets. During the fierce dogfight, Israeli Captain Gideon Dror shot down two Iraqi planes, including Azam’s wingman. In a swift counterattack, Azam took down Dror’s Mirage, leading to the Israeli pilot’s capture.
This dramatic turn allowed the Arab forces to negotiate the release of thousands of Jordanian and Iraqi prisoners in exchange for Dror.
Within just 72 hours of the war’s start, Saiful Azam had shot down four Israeli aircraft—an unparalleled achievement in military aviation. For this, he received Iraq’s highest military honor, the Nishan al-Shojaat (Medal of Bravery).
In 2001, the U.S. Air Force honored him as one of the world’s 22 "Living Eagles", a recognition reserved for the most distinguished fighter pilots in history.
Despite his heroic legacy, Saiful Azam lived a humble life until his passing in 2020. Though time may have dimmed his memory in some places, in the hearts of those he fought for—especially the Palestinians—his courage continues to soar.
