Defence

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

25 Squadron (Himalayan Eagles)

Crest

In the wake of the Chinese aggression in 1962, a need was felt to strengthen our supply lines to the Army in the Northern Sector encompassing J&K and Ladakh regions. Consequently, 25 Sqn, AF was formed on 01 Mar 63, with 04XAN-12 aircraft acquired from the erstwhile USSR. The unit's first Commanding Officer was Sqn Ldr GJ Shaw.

AN-12

Nowhere in the world have the heavy transport aircraft such as the AN-12 and IL-76 been used in so hostile a terrain as prevails in Ladakh and J&K Sectors. Therefore, credit must go to the dedicated band of aviators of this squadron for evolving such complete and abiding procedures for safe landings of these heavy transport aircraft at high altitude airfields like Leh (10,500'), Chushul (14,500') and Thoise (9,800'). Through operational operational innovations and varied use these aircraft have completely changed the concept of Transport Operations, move specifically Air Maintenance over the years.

IL-76

The tasks entrusted to the squadron are :

Air maintenance in the Northern Sector
Transportation of cargo, both within the country and Ex-India
Transportation of troops whenever and wherever tasked.
Paradropping and platform drops at designated dropping zones.
To bring succor to the needy during natural calamities; both within & outside the country.

Since its inception in 1963, the personnel of the squadron have executed the allotted tasks with dedication, remarkable efficiency and a very strong sense of service pride. The mettle of 'Himalayan Eagles', an epithet that the squadron has earned over the years because of yeoman service it has been rendering to the numerous Army and Air Force units located in the Northern Sector, has been proved time and again both in war and in peace. Everytime, it has proved time and again both in war and in peace. Everytime, it has emerged with flying colours.

A brief resume of the important events in which the Himalayan Eagles have participated over the years is as follows :-

1963-1989 - During this period the squadron operated with AN-12 aircraft along with 44 Sqn AF which was co-located in Chandigarh. it took part in the following operations :-

Indo-Pak Conflict -(1965) - AN-12 aircraft of the squadron were used for movement of men and material.
Indo-Pak Conflict - (1971) - Departing from its usual role of transportation, the AN-12 were utilised as bombers extensively in the Western Sector. The Battalion Group paradrop at Tangail in East Pakistan was a noteworthy success.
1989-1993 - By the mid-eighties, however, the 'Old Work-horses', the AN-12 had aged and spares requirement had overtaken the supply. To provide relief to the AN-12 fleet, four IL-76 aircraft joined the 'Himalayan Eagles' in 1989. The two heavy transport aircraft worked together for four years before the AN-12 yielded the pride of place to the medium transport aircraft - the AN-32 - glided into the pages of IAF's glorious history on 30 Jun 93. Some of significant events in which the Il-76 fleet participated during this period were as follows :-
1990 : Firing IR Flares at Pokhran Range - Two IL-76 were modified and their objective was to test the systems effectiveness to divert fire power of heat seeking missiles, shoulder fired guns, and also jamming of radar by dispensing chaff around the aircraft.
Gulf war evacuation of stranded Indians from Dubai and Basra. This has been acknowledged as the biggest airlift operation since World War II.
1992 - Evacuation of 5000 passengers stranded at Leh due to a strike by the Indian Airlines.
Airlifting of para military forces to every nook and corner of the country in the aftermath of Ayodhya riots.
1993-94 : Deinduction of T-72 Tanks from Leh (Total 24) - Due to restrictions of maximum take off weights when operating from Leh (altitude 3270 mtrs), the deinduction was a laborious process as the hull and turret of the tank had to be dismantled and two sorties were required to deinduct one tank (wt of hull 24 tons, turret 10 tuns, other accessories 08 tons). A total of 55 sorties were flown of 55 sorties were flown to deinduct 24 tanks plus four ARVs.

Ex-Snow Leopard - In 1994, heavy platform drop at Stakna DZ in the Ladakh sector neat Leh airfield was carried out with excellent results.
1993 - On 30 Jun 93 and AN-12 phasing out marked the end of a glorious chapter of transport operations in the IAF. They were replaced by 03 AN-32 in Jul 93. Three more AN-32 were allotted in Aug 93. By Sep 93, the AN-32 took over the complete gamut of operational roles in the Northern Sector. They joined the IL-76 of the squadron to walk in footsteps of the glorious traditions of the AN-12 aircraft. The sqn did itself proud by flying the "Big Boy Formation" with one IL-76 in lead and two AN-32 of the Squadron in formation on the occasion of the Air Force Day on 08 Oct 93.
Ex-Leaping Gazelle and Desert Fox - By Jan 94, 03 sets of AN-32 crew had been qualified on the new displaced Trail formation. The squadron AN-32 ac took part in Ex-leaping Gazelle (2 AN-32 ac) and Desert Fox (01 AN-32 ac) and dropped paratroopers, in formation by night, with precision.
Ex-Snow Leopard - In Jan 94, a P-16 heavy platform was dropped for the first time at Stakna DZ (Elev 3270 m) with excellent results. 02 X AN-32 aircraft of the squadron took part in formation para drop successfully.
Big Boy Formation on Air Force Day 94 - The Sqn lived upto its reputation by doing another meticulous "Big Boy Formation" on Air Force Day with IL-76 and three AN-32s from the squadron.
Evacuation of Civilians from Yeman - In May 94, the IL-76 of this squadron carried out evacuation of civilians from Yeman (Sanna) in record time in perilious conditions, involving 38 hrs of nonstop work by the aircrew.
1995 - Big Boy Formation Flypast on Republic Day : The squadron, as expected, was tasked with this formation. This flypast over Rajpath was being revived after 08 years. The squadron provided the IL-76 and 02 formating AN-32 aircraft. The formation was a grand success.

Night Operations at Leh and Udhampur

Successful operations to Leh and Udhampur airfields by night requiring a very high level of proficiency have been carried out by the IL-76 and AN-32 aircraft of the squadron. The first landing by night at Leh was carried out by the AN-32 in Jul 96 and by IL-76 in Jan 97.

Squadron Crest

25 Sqn badge

The Himalayan Eagle

The primary role of the Sqn, being Air Maintenance in the Northern Sector, the unit crest rightfully depicts the 'Himalayan Eagles' in all its glory. The background depicts the mighty show capped Himalayas over which the sqn ac have been flying day in and day out, ever since its inception.

Ladakh region is basically hostile and rugged in nature and is snow bound for a major part of the year. The roads remain unsuable for nearly eight to nine months in an year and transportation of men, material and ration by air is the only viable alternative. Further North, where the Army is deployed over the Siachen glacier, air dropping by AN-32 ac and helicopters is the only way to survival. Therefore, the unit serves as a 'lifeline' for the Northern Sector and hence the inscription on the crest ' The Saviors of the North'.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)

Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) is a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) of the Government of India and is headquartered in Hyderabad, India. BDL was setup in 1970 as a manufacturing unit, specialising in missile and torpedo design and production. BDL has over 2,000 employees and had aggregated revenues of Rs. 4,335.13 crore (US$ 893.04 million) in fiscal 2007.

wikipedia

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2009 in Babina, India

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Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2009 in Babina, India
What is it?
The exercise Yudh Abhyas is a regularly-scheduled Indian Army/U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) co-sponsored bilateral exercise hosted by the Indian army. The exercise is designed to promote cooperation among the two militaries while sharing training, cultural exchanges and improving partnership readiness. This year the exercise will include a multi-echelon, full-spectrum combined operation focusing on a United Nations Peace Keeping Operation scenario, while executing a maneuver live-fire exercise.
Seventeen Stryker fighting vehicles from the 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii are scheduled to participate in the only U.S. bi-lateral exercise with the Indian Army, in Babina, India, Oct. 12-29.
What has the Army done?
Yudh Abhyas 2009 (YA09) is the 6th annual U.S./Indian exercise, promoting regional stability and security. In past exercises, staff exchanges and command post exercises developed joint operating skills. YA09 differs as the exercise constitutes the largest troop exchange since the YA partnership exercise commenced in 2004. Like any other Theater Security Cooperation Program, YA also allows the participants from both armies to train together, share tactics, techniques and procedures and enjoy an enriched appreciation for each other's culture and professional traditions.
What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future?
Exercise Yudh Abhyas is an exercise with one of our joint partners in the Pacific area of responsibility. The relationship between U.S. Army Pacific and the Indian military grows stronger with each annual event. Yudh Abhyas will continue to be one of our premier exercises in the Pacific for many years to come and the plans for the 2010 staff exercise are already being finalized.
Why is this important to the Army?
Routine bilateral dialogues establish strategic and operational guidance for future defense cooperation. Additionally, this exercise provides a valuable opportunity for U.S. Army Pacific to train with our Indian army counterparts to improve joint operation skills of our forces while building personal relationships.

source-- http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2009/10/mil-091021-arnews02.htm

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

India-US joint air force exercise begins in Agra

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AGRA - A five-day joint exercise involving the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the United States Air Force (USAF) transport aircraft, Cope India-09, began here Monday.

The US team comprises more than 150 airmen, three C-130H Hercules, one C-17 Globemaster III, and one C-130J aircraft while the IAF will field one IL-76 Gajraj, four AN-32 Sutlej, two MI-17 Pratap, and one Chetak Alouette III aircraft for the exercise.
During the exercise participants will exchange airlift, airland and airdrop delivery techniques and participate in aeromedical and disaster management exercises involving medium and heavy lift transport aircraft.

LIMCA RECORD HOLDERS of IAF

LIMCA RECORD HOLDERS

Air Marshal VK Bhatia PVSM, AVSM, VrC & Bar was the first Indian who dared a tandem skydiving jump in India at the age of 56 yrs. This daring feat was performed on 17 Sep 1999 at Agra airfield from an AN-32 aircraft.

Group Captain NK Prashar, JD AF Adv was the first to fly X-Air microlight on night on 15 Sep 2000 at Air Force Station Hindon. Subsequently on the same night Sqn Ldr MIK Reddy carried out a skydiving jump from X-Air Microlight.

Sqn Ldr Sanjay Thapar VM is the man of many firsts in the field of parachuting, two of his achievements are acknowledged as world records and seven others as National Records. He was the first Indian to introduce tandem skydiving in the Air Force.

Sqn Ldr Jay Shankar is an officer from Admin branch and an adventure enthusiast. He is pursuing sports parachuting since 1990. He is a sports parachuting instructor without being a PJI. He has 602 jumps to his credit. For a non-professional paratrooper this number is highly creditable.

Sqn Ldr MIK Reddy is a NDA graduate and an adventure freak. He is specialist in watersports, parasailing and skydiving. He has over 780 skydiving jumps to his credit, the highest for a non PJI in the Air Force. He has also conducted many basic skydiving courses and demonstrations independently. He is also the first to carry out a jump from X-Air Microlight at night.

Sqn Ldr RC Tripathi. A pioneer of Adventure sports, specialist in parachuting, mountaineering and water sports. As on date he has 1040 jumps. He is the first to jump from an X-Air microlight on 04 Apr 2001 at Air Force Station Hindon. Microlight was flown by Gp Capt NK Prashar, JD AF Adv.

Sqn Ldr Vasant Raj and Flt Lt Bhawana Mane. Both are helicopter pilots and the first couple in the Air Force to skydiving together on 30 May 2000 at National Defence Academy, Pune.

Flt Lt Kamal Singh Oberh. A young parachute jump instructor, made a jump over South Pole on 01 Jan 2000 and earned the distinction of being the first Indian to perform this daring feat.

Flt Lt KB Samyal and Flt Lt Kopal Gupta. Flt Lt Samyal is a professional parachute jump instructor at Paratroopers Training School. His wife Flt Lt Kopal Gupta is a logistic officer at AF Stn Agra. Both Samyal and Kopal became the first couple to do Relative Work on 04 Oct 2000 during the Subroto Cup Football finals at Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi. As on date Flt Lt Samyal has over 350 jumps to his credit whereas Flt Lt Kopal has 220 jumps to her credit.

In addition, there are few other Air Force personnel, who have also set records and earned their names in Lima Book of Records one being a six man Relative Work by PTS under the leadership of Wg Cdr HN Bhagwat in Aug 2000.

source--http://indianairforce.nic.in/

IAF Jaguars to conduct military exercise with Oman

An Indian Air Force (IAF) 14th Squadron SEPECA...

Image via Wikipedia

NEW DELHI - The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) deep penetration strike aircraft Jaguar will fly down to Oman this month for a military exercise.

“To further military diplomacy and for addressing issues of inter-operabililty, IAF will be conducting a series of international exercises. Our fighters will be going to Oman for a bilateral exercise,” IAF chief Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik told IANS.
The Royal Omani Air Force is the only other force in the world which still flies the British-built Jaguar, known as Shamsher in the IAF.
About half complement of the squadron, about five or six jets, are likely to go for the exercise to be conducted in the third week of October. The IAF’s ‘Flaming Arrows’ Jaguar squadron will be participating in the exercise.
“With only two air forces flying the combat jets, there have been training exchange programmes with Oman on this front,” a senior IAF official said Saturday, requesting anonymity.
India and Oman have agreed to step up cooperation by upgrading their joint military exercises and already have a memorandum of understanding on defence in place. Last year, Oman offered to provide berthing facilities for Indian Navy’s warships patrolling the piracy-hit waters off the shores of Somalia.
Oman military personnel are already being trained in Indian military training institutions.
Oman has also been seeking assistance from the Indian armed forces to set up credible supply systems for their defence equipment.

Source--http://blog.taragana.com/n/iaf-jaguars-to-conduct-military-exercise-with-oman-192354/

Sunday, October 11, 2009

दिसंबर में होगा ब्रह्मोस-2 का परीक्षण

Oct 11, 05:18 pm

नई दिल्ली। भारत व रूस के संयुक्त प्रयास से बनने वाली ब्रह्मोस-2 क्रूज मिसाइल का परीक्षण दिसंबर में किया जाएगा। पनडुब्बी से मार करने वाली ब्रह्मोस-2290 किमी तक मार करने में सक्षम है।
रक्षा मंत्रालय के सूत्रों की मानें तो परीक्षण से भारत व रूस के संयुक्त उपक्रम से बनी ब्रह्मोस की क्षमताओं का आकलन किया जाएगा। पानी के भीतर से मार करने वाली हथियार प्रणाली को जवाबी कार्रवाई के लिए सबसे बेहतर माना जाता है।
विशेषज्ञों की राय में ब्रह्माोस को इस प्रणाली में शामिल करने से भारत की 'पहले वार नहीं' करने की नीति और अधिक मजबूत होगी।
हाल ही में भारत ने स्वदेश निर्मित परमाणु पनडुब्बी 'आईएनएस अरिहंत' को पानी के अंदर मार करने वाले हथियारों में शामिल किया था। इस साल की शुरुआत में भारत 700 किमी तक मार करने वाली और परमाणु हथियार ले जाने में सक्षम के-15 शौर्य मिसाइल का सफल परीक्षण कर चुका है।
ब्रह्माोस को थल सेना और नौसेना अपने बेड़े में पहले ही शामिल कर चुकी हैं, जबकि वायु सेना इसे अपने लड़ाकू विमान सुखोई-30 एमकेआई से जोड़ने पर काम कर रही है।

Source :- http://in.jagran.yahoo.com/news/national/general/5_1_5856396/