Tag: Indian Air Force

The Sabji Courier

Anil Goyal

During the summer, one of the key tasks of the Indian Army is to stock up its high-altitude border posts with tents, clothing, food, ammunition and fuel for the harsh winter ahead. The heavy stocks are moved by roads while essential and high-value assets are mobilised by air. This is the just first step. Subsequently, all supplies are moved to forward bases through tough terrain with the help of locals, mules or aircraft. A soldier at these outposts is fighting three elements – the enemy, the weather and his own health. The cost of keeping each soldier at those altitudes, equipping him, feeding him and providing him with wherewith all for fighting is humongous and require Herculean effort. The story highlights the human side of the problem.

The Unknown Sikh Soldier in the Kargil War

Anil Goyal

 ..in the Kargil war I remember it as if it was yesterday. It was the 23rd May 1999, the Kargil conflict was ongoing. My crew and I were in Awantipur to pick up 24 casualties (20 sitting & 4 on stretchers) the casualties were seriously wounded. The age of the passengers ranged between 19-27 years. Some had deep bullet wounds, where the bullet had gone through, but he still had his legs and could sit, stand, walk, and wasn’t on a stretcher. The men who were on a stretcher were the badly…

Para Jumping

Anil Goyal

The Para Training School (PTS), run by the Indian Air Force at Agra, conducts the parachuting and combat military free-fall training. The squadron insignia depicts a deployed parachute bringing down a supply container with wings attached. This signifies the role the squadron is involved in. The School was established under 50th Para brigade in 1941 at New Delhi. After the Independence, the school was permanently shifted to Agra. Earlier the Dakota, Hudson and Halifax Aircraft were used for Paratroopers Training. The School has participated in many operations of Indian Armed…

Veernari

Anil Goyal

Either I will come back after hoisting the Tricolor, or I will come back wrapped in it, but I will be back for sure. Capt. Vikram Batra, PVC (posthumous) “Veer nari” (or woman of courage)—that’s what a military widow is called in official parlance. A veer nari is defined as the widow of an armed forces member who has laid down his life for the nation, whether in war or in a military operation. Putting forth a poem by Ms Lakshmi Mini. She believed his words,“I’ll soon return”,He wasn’t a liar,For he…

LONG DURATION MISSION: FIGHTER AIRCRAFT

Anil Goyal

The flight endurance record though no longer recognized used to be the longest amount of time an aircraft of a particular category spent in flight without landing. It can be a solo event, or multiple people can take turns piloting the aircraft, as long as all pilots remained in the aircraft. The limit initially was the amount of fuel that could be stored for the flight, but aerial refuelling extended that parameter. Flying modern fighter aircraft requires a high degree of physical and mental fitness to withstand the stresses that are placed on the…

Fighter Strike Leader of IAF

Anil Goyal

“Four brave men who do not know each other will not dare attack a lion. Four less brave, but knowing each other well, sure of their reliability and consequently of mutual aid, will attack resolutely.”  Col. Ardant du Picq Through two world wars, as technology improved, modern war has become more and more reliant on airpower. Tactics are continuously evolved and modified for quick success in aerial combat as well as for victorious strike mission. Did you ever wonder, how a group of fighter aircraft are forged into lethal weapons?…