Abingdonboy
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KOLKATA: There is hectic activity at Panagarh Air Force Station, a World War-II vintage air base located about 112kms from Kolkata.
The last time this air base saw action was 44 years ago during the 1971 Indo-Pak War when it was home to two squadrons of MIG-21 and Sukhoi-7 aircraft. On Tuesday, a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft of the Indian Air Force, from the Veiled Vipers squadron based at Hindon, will land at the resurfaced runway of Panagarh air force station.
"The landing will be witnessed by Air Marshal S B Deo, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern air command, and other senior IAF officers. There is reason for this. In 2016, a squadron of six more Super Hercules will be stationed at Panagarh for operations in the Eastern and North Eastern region. Air Marshal Deo will inaugurate the runway that day. He will also visit various operational facilities and lodger units at the air base and interact with air warriors. The new runway at Panagarh can accommodate all aircraft in the IAF's inventory," a senior IAF officer said.
Facilities such as hangers and maintenance units have been developed at Panagarh by Lockheed Martin, the US company that manufactures the Super Hercules. It is a strategic transport aircraft that India wants to use not only for transport of troops and humanitarian aid but also for special operations. According to a senior Army officer, conventional wars are a thing of the past and Special Operations will be the key to victory in the days to come. With the Army's Special Forces being trained at Jorhat in Assam, the IAF has been carrying out regular drills for Special Operations, particularly during the night.
"AFS Panagarh has become a strategic asset and will be one of the premier air bases under Eastern Air command. Latest assets such as C-130J, a state-of-the-art technology radar system and surface-to-air missile system are planned for induction at this station. Availability of this airfield will also enhance the mobility of Indian Army's Mountain Strike Corps, which will also be stationed at Panagarh in near future. Additionally, this station will provide a launching base for all humanitarian and disaster relief missions," he said.
The aircraft operating surface at Panagarh was constructed between 1942 and 1944 during WW-II by the US Air Force to help it participate in the China-Burma-India Campaign. Given its proximity to the international border, Panagarh is ideally situated to launch operations in case of any aggression from the north.
Panagarh air base gears up for special operations - The Times of India
@Koovie @MilSpec @Capt.Popeye @kurup @Water Car Engineer @nair @janon @COLDHEARTED AVIATOR @anant_s @GURU DUTT @SpArK @sathya @levina @Hindustani78 @Chanakya's_Chant @The_Sidewinder @anyrandom
The last time this air base saw action was 44 years ago during the 1971 Indo-Pak War when it was home to two squadrons of MIG-21 and Sukhoi-7 aircraft. On Tuesday, a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft of the Indian Air Force, from the Veiled Vipers squadron based at Hindon, will land at the resurfaced runway of Panagarh air force station.
"The landing will be witnessed by Air Marshal S B Deo, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern air command, and other senior IAF officers. There is reason for this. In 2016, a squadron of six more Super Hercules will be stationed at Panagarh for operations in the Eastern and North Eastern region. Air Marshal Deo will inaugurate the runway that day. He will also visit various operational facilities and lodger units at the air base and interact with air warriors. The new runway at Panagarh can accommodate all aircraft in the IAF's inventory," a senior IAF officer said.
Facilities such as hangers and maintenance units have been developed at Panagarh by Lockheed Martin, the US company that manufactures the Super Hercules. It is a strategic transport aircraft that India wants to use not only for transport of troops and humanitarian aid but also for special operations. According to a senior Army officer, conventional wars are a thing of the past and Special Operations will be the key to victory in the days to come. With the Army's Special Forces being trained at Jorhat in Assam, the IAF has been carrying out regular drills for Special Operations, particularly during the night.
"AFS Panagarh has become a strategic asset and will be one of the premier air bases under Eastern Air command. Latest assets such as C-130J, a state-of-the-art technology radar system and surface-to-air missile system are planned for induction at this station. Availability of this airfield will also enhance the mobility of Indian Army's Mountain Strike Corps, which will also be stationed at Panagarh in near future. Additionally, this station will provide a launching base for all humanitarian and disaster relief missions," he said.
The aircraft operating surface at Panagarh was constructed between 1942 and 1944 during WW-II by the US Air Force to help it participate in the China-Burma-India Campaign. Given its proximity to the international border, Panagarh is ideally situated to launch operations in case of any aggression from the north.
Panagarh air base gears up for special operations - The Times of India
@Koovie @MilSpec @Capt.Popeye @kurup @Water Car Engineer @nair @janon @COLDHEARTED AVIATOR @anant_s @GURU DUTT @SpArK @sathya @levina @Hindustani78 @Chanakya's_Chant @The_Sidewinder @anyrandom
