The first direct air-to-air combat engagements between an F-104 and a MiG-21 took place during the war. The first confirmed loss was that of Wing Commander Mervyn Middlecoat over the Gulf of Kutch on 12–13 December 1971. Changezi, flying a Starfighter on loan from Jordan, was the second confirmed F-104 loss, when he was shot down by IAF MiG-21FLs of No. 29 Squadron. The IAF also claimed two additional PAF Starfighter kills that same day, one of which was the aircraft flown by Changezi's wingman, Squadron Leader Rashid Bhatti; the PAF claimed he returned without damage to Masroor.[4][3]
On 17 December 1971, Changezi was on a sortie mission when he spotted two MiG-21FLs, heading for him, on his radar.[3] He tried to maneuver himself between the two MiGs to use his M61 Vulcan gatling cannon, since the PAF jets were not equipped with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. As he closed in, the second MiG fired two K-13 missiles, one of which hit him. He failed to eject and his crash was witnessed by Indian pilots.
Honors and awards
Changezi was shot down in his eleventh war sortie.[2] For his valour and sacrifice, he was awarded the Sitara-e-Jurat, the third-highest gallantry honour of Pakistan.[5]
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