SU-30 MKI AIRCRAFT INDUCTION CEREMONY HELD AT AIR FORCE STATION HALWARA

Jalandhar, September 25, 2012:  SU-30 MKI Aircraft was inducted into Western Air Command in a formal ceremony at Air Force Station Halwara today.  Air Marshal Arup Raha Air Officer Commanding- in- Chief,  Western Air Command, Indian Air Force was the chief guest for the induction ceremony.  He was accompanied by Lily Raha,  President, Air Force Wives Welfare Association (Regional).

While the first batch of SU-30 MKI was inducted into IAF in Sep 2002, the Squadron at Halwara known as ‘Desert Tigers’, which flew the MiG-23 Aircraft till 2005 is now resurrected with the latest SU-30 MKI aircraft.  The Desert Tigers’ can proudly boast of being the first SU-30 MKI Squadron in Western Air Command.  The SU-30 MKI is a frontline all weather air-dominance fighter with multi-role capability,  which can undertake varied air combat and ground attack missions.

The ‘Desert Tigers’ were formed as an offensive fighter Squadron on 09 Feb 1963.  The Squadron was initially named as ‘Fighting Tigers’ and flew the first Jet aircraft of the IAF, the Vampire. The Squadron has changed many bases during its forty years long journey and has taken part in 1965, 1971 and Kargil operations. The ‘Desert Tigers’ were resurrected with state of the art air-dominance fighter SU-30 MKI in Sep 2011.  The Squadron has a glorious past and it looks forward to a bright future as it readies to spread its wings across the Indian landscape.

Air Force Station Halwara witnessed a well coordinated ceremony on this occasion, Guests from Western Air Command graced the event.  The chief guest was received by Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station, Halwara, Air Commodore RGK Kapoor.  An impressive parade contingent presented a general salute to the AOC-in-C. Later the Commanding Officer of the Squadron took permission from the Air Marshal to get airborne in a SU-30 MKI aircraft. The ceremony included an impressive flypast by the SU-30s of the Squadron. The pilots of the Squadron executed the characteristic ‘Trishul’ formation in a spectacular manner signifying their formal induction into the premier Western Air Command of the IAF.  The Air Force personnel and their families witnessed the momentous occasion at Air Force Station, Halwara.

Air Marshal Arup Raha in his address congratulated the air warriors of Halwara air base for successful induction of SU-30 MKI aircraft. He appreciated the tireless efforts put in by all personnel in operationalising the Squadron within a very short period.  The Squadron has enhanced the operational capability of Western Air Command in a substantial manner.  The Air Marshal and his wife  Lily Raha interacted with the officers and their spouses during social evening and  also visited various welfare ventures run by President AFWWA (Local), (Dr) Suneeta Kapoor.