INDIA. Mumbai: As part of the 89th Air Force Day celebrations, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the ‘Shaurya Smarak’ at maintenance command, Nagpur, in Maharashtra in recognition of the air warriors who made their supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, on Friday.
The wreath was laid by Air Marshal Shashiker Choudhary, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Maintenance Command. An oath was administered by AOC-in-C to all the air warriors and personnel including civilians posted at HQ Maintenance Command to serve the nation with honesty, integrity, and devotion.
He urged all personnel to keep up the good work and ensure Op-preparedness at all times. He also awarded commendations to the deserving air warriors and civilians of Headquarters Maintenance Command for their meritorious services. He reiterated that collective efforts put in by all the personnel will ensure that we ‘Touch the Sky with Glory’. He exhorted the personnel to focus on ensuring 100% serviceability of all platforms and systems.
On the occasion of the Air Force Day, the IAF showed its magnificence at Hindan Air Base in Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh.
On the occasion of the Air Force Day, the Chief of the Air Staff announced the unit citations to the air units. They included: 47 Squadron, Air Force- No. 47 Squadron was formed on December 18, 1959, and at present equipped with the MiG-29 Upgrade aircraft. After the pre-emptive strikes by the IAF on February 26, 2019, the Squadron was deployed for the Air Defence role. 116 Helicopter Unit-116 Helicopter Unit was formed on August 01, 1967. Its unit is equipped with the Advanced Light Helicopter Mark IV (ALH Mk IV) Rudra. After the pre-emptive strikes by the IAF on February 26, 2019, the unit was deployed in the forward bases of South Western Air Command AOR to counter threats of slow-moving aerial platforms. In May 2020, after the Galwan skirmish, the unit was deployed for offensive operations at a high-altitude airfield in the Ladakh area. 2255 Squadron Det Air Force-2255 Squadron Det is a frontline OSA-AK-M, Surface to Air Guided Weapon Squadron of the IAF which is located in the Kashmir AOR with the role of ensuring Air Defence of VA/ VPs in Kashmir and Ladakh sectors.
Ambassador Wendy Sherman visits WNC
Ambassador Wendy Sherman, Deputy Secretary of State and other officials of US delegation, having a discussion with Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar, FOC-in-C, WNC in Mumbai.(Photo credit:Indian Navy).
In another development Ambassador Wendy Sherman, Deputy Secretary of State, accompanied by a high-level US delegation, visited Headquarters, Western Naval Command (HQWNC) at Mumbai and interacted with Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar, FOC-in-C, WNC on Thursday.
Among issues discussed during the interaction were avenues to strengthen the growing cooperation between the two nations and navies, deal with challenges emerging on the maritime front and enhance collaboration and interoperability to ensure maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
The Ambassador was provided a broad overview of regional security dynamics and the operational responses of the Western Naval Command in recent times, particularly those related to delivering Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to friendly foreign countries, conducting counter-piracy operations, enhancing maritime safety, and security in the region, and strengthening foreign cooperation initiatives with special emphasis on Indo-US co-operation. The stellar support provided by IN ships through Operation Samudra Setu II to battle the COVID-19 pandemic by bringing home containerized liquid medical oxygen to mitigate shortfalls in the country was also highlighted. The Ambassador was escorted on a tour of the state-of-the-art Aircraft Carrier Dock at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai at the culmination of her visit.
JIMEX
In the meanwhile, the 5th edition of the bilateral maritime exercise JIMEX, between Japan and India, which began on Wednesday in the Arabian Sea was concluded on Friday. The exercise saw the ships and aircraft of Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) and Indian Navy(IN) engaging in a high tempo of operations focused on air, surface, and sub-surface dimensions of maritime operations as well as the air domain.
The IN under the command of Rear Admiral Ajay Kochhar, FOC-in-C, Western Fleet, participated with indigenous Guided Missile Destroyer, INS Kochi (with Sea King MK 42B helicopter), and the Guided Missile Frigate INS Teg (with SAR capable Chetak helicopter). The IN also fielded a P8I, a shore-based maritime reconnaissance aircraft, and MiG 29K fighters. The JMSDF led by Rear Admiral IkeuchiIzuru,comprised the Izumo Class Helicopter Carrier Kaga and the Guided Missile Destroyer Murasame. Both ships participated with integral SH60K helicopters.
