The base is named after Pakistani fighter pilot Muhammad Mahmood Alam.

[3][4][5] Originally a World War II airstrip, it was decided that Mianwali would be upgraded to a satellite airbase for PAF Base Mushaf (then PAF Base Sargodha) during the 1965 Indo-Pak War to act as an alternate recovery airfield.

Aircraft of different types, including the Shenyang F-6, were operated from the base during the 1971 Indo-Pak War.

Pilots and anti-aircraft gunners of Mianwali airbase shot down 5 enemy aircraft during that conflict, during the first three days of which the base came under regular attacks.

During November 1975, the No.1 Fighter Conversion Unit (FCU) was transferred to Mianwali airbase from PAF Base Masroor where it began fighter conversion training using the FT-5 dual-seat training aircraft.