The Pilot

Throughout the course of History, significant roles are assigned to some prominent figures committing them to shoulder immense responsibilities in decisive moments which exceed the potential of individuals. Such responsibilities come up with certain results characterized by their interdependence on History and its major shifts.

History attests to two kinds of great people: The first succeeds in achieving a pivotal role in the course of events. The second as soon as he asssumes a major responsibility, he is absorbed in other more crucial ones.

The first and second kind is Hosni Mubarak; since the beginning of his career to date. History charged him with major successive responsibilities.

Background
Contrary to his parents' desire, he joined the Military Academy in 1947 and graduated in 1949. Mubarak's ambitions were beyond the scope of others. Such person of good attributes and powerful determination, aspired to set new vistas. He was immediately enrolled at the Air Force Academy which was enjoying a special outstanding position, especially after the role of the aircraft and commanders valour had become famous in the Second World War.

At the Academy, he was very distinguished by his personal faculties. His personality was characterized by a high degree of discipline and perseverance, relentless work and intelligence, added to realistic appreciation of the situation. He was, therefore, unprecedently appointed as a general staff of the Academy while still a cadet.

In 1950, Mubarak graduated from the Air Force Academy and started working in a squadron of bombers and fighters.

He was, after that, selected to accomplish a major duty; the renovation and development of the Egyptian Air Force. Thus, Mubarak was appointed Chief-of-Staff of the Air Force Academy. In the period 1952-1959, Hosni Mubarak was assigned to prepare a generation of pilots. Eleven classes graduated under his supervision.

Decisive moments
The War of 1967 was painful to all Arabs, in particular the Egyptians. The Israeli aggression was a treacherous stab in each and every Egyptian's heart.

Mubarak felt greater pain and deep grief, for he was in the Egyptian Army whose destruction was targeted by the Israeli aggression, and whose loss implied a loss of the war.

Exactly, Hosni Mubarak was one of the heroes who persevered and acted courageously and wisely that day. Moreover, his aircraft T-U16 soared in the sky of Egypt which was a fly zone for the Israeli aircraft. He continued to fly till he arrived safely to Aswan maintaining for Egypt a highly qualified human element, keeping for her one among the few planes remaining. However, Mubarak personal rescue did not alleviate the disaster for him; as the majority of the pilots victimized in said aggression without having the opportunity to fight back were his colleagues and disciples.

Through his expertise and his realistic appreciation of the situation, Mubarak realized the flagrant loss, as he realized the possibility to compensate planes and equipment and how it was miraculous to provide a sufficient number of competent pilots.

On June 9th and 10th all the Arabs announced support to late leader Gamal Abdel Nasser, declaring their will of confrontation and perseverance whatever be the consequences. On June 11th began the most difficult national responsibility in Egypt's History, which was the reconstruction of the Egyptian Armed Forces in order to eliminate the aggression impacts.

Pilot Mubarak was immediately chosen to achieve said heavy responsibility since he was appointed as the principal of the Air Force Academy in November 1967.

It was a crucial role to prepare a new generation of pilots within the military and psychological circumstances endured by Egypt following the defeat.

As soon as Mubarak achieved his responsibility within 20 months, the Egyptian Air Force regained its strength. In June 1969, former President Gamal Abdel Nasser nominated Hosni Mubarak as General Staff of the Air Force, while the confrontation with Israel passed from the perseverance to the challenge at the war of attrition.

The Air Force should then continue to rebuild, to defend Egypt, and to combat Israel in ferocious non-stop battles. They had also to help the Armed Forces in their formations fighting with the occupation forces, parallel with the plan design and arrangements for the major decisive liberation war.

Mubarak succeeded in his mission, and Egypt's efforts were directed to the decisive combat through which the Arab nations would regain their dignity and pride and Israel legend would fall.

Preparing for October
The expected decision concerning the nomination of Hosni Mubarak, was declared by late President Anwar El Sadat on April 23, 1972.

Commander of the Air Force Hosni Mubarak once told his men: ÒThe first strike makes the surprise which causes wreck of enemy's morale and prepares for winning the war. It relies on two aspects: secrecy and speed.

In 1972, following his nomination, Mubarak said to his men: "The Arab nation's hopes, and Egypt's ones - relying on Armed Forces - are closely interdependent. You are the ones to realize such hopes." He added, "Let's stand together to achieve totally our responsibilities, in patience, perseverance and feat."

In November 1972, he pointed: "Egypt confronted through centuries the invaders' covets and deterred them one by one."

"Right and strong-will to combat are the most important elements of a resounding victory", said Mubarak to his men, a few days before the October war. Hence, the Commander trained his generation and designed accurate plans and programmes of execution.

The action
On October 6th at 14:00 o'clock, Mubarak was at the Command Headquarters of the Air Force. As soon as all centers, formations and operation theatres were given the order to turn on the code, 222 aircraft launched to cross the Suez Canal.

At 14:45, Hosni Mubarak had a telephone call. Following is its text: ÒThe Air Force achieved completely and punctually their mission. All planes returned except one whose pilot was killed."

Communiqué" no.3 stated: "following the communiqué" no.2, our Armed Forces hit the enemy bases, all aircraft returned to their base safely except only one."

This short news implies deep military, political and moral significance. The first hit broke the fear barrier, carried the Army and people's morality to a new peak, opened a wide gate for the victory and disrupted the Israeli forces through the destruction of command and control centers, electronic jamming centers, airports and military groupings in Sinai.

Late President Anwar El Sadat in his book entitled "In Search of Identity", wrote: "At 14:00 o'clock, the news was broadcast; the Suez Canal was crossed by our 222 planes whose speed exceeded sound and carried out the strike within 1/3 hour with little losses

Such hit came up with good results exceeding 90% with less than 2% losses, which was astonishing for Israel and the world, East and West. According to the estimation of Soviet Union experts, the first hit would havecost the Egyptian Air Force 40% of its forces and would not have achieved more than 30%. 20 minutes only after the zero hour, our planes hit the command centers, as well as the management and defence centers.

 When I verified these consequences at the operation theatre", said late President Sadat, ÒI congratulated the Air Force Commander, Hosni Mubarak, who planned and carried out this hit. I also congratulated all commanders for said hit that determined the destiny of the war. Afterwards Israel lost control for 4 days during which communication was totally interrupted". In his book Sadat added: "The commander of Air Force in that battle was General Hosni Mubarak whom I asked to take off his military uniform and put on his civil one to assist me as a Vice President".

Mubarak was skilled in his utmost use of all the planes even those of the Air Academy. He installed in them anti- missile devices whose speed exceeds sound.

Mubarak himself, the plan designer, affirmed in November 1973 - concerning the performance of his pilots: "The first hit carried out was wonderful and all the targets efficiently achieved. All the Air Force formations were characterized by control and determination. All our commanders fought honorably and boldly, however, our job was not easy and I was always grateful to God".

In November 1973, he indicated: "The October war should have been experienced by the enemy and we should also have let it be difficult as it was decisive".