MIG-23 MF spread its wing last time

Jamnagar, Mar 20 (UNI) Four MIG-23 MFs, belonging to 224 Squadron of Indian Air Force nicknamed 'Warlords', took to the skies here for the last time today.

The historic flights took place in the presence of Air Chief Marshal S P Tyagi, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal P K Mehra, AOC-in-C, South Western Air Command (SWAC), mediapersons from Rajkot and other dignitaries of the Indian Air force.

A fifth one was towed with her ground equipment in tow along the tarmac, signalling the end of an era of the swing-wing fighter's association with IAF.

In a symbolic drill, the Pilot together with the ground crew marched up to the Air Chief and handed over the Form-700 (the log book of the aircraft) and the Pilots Notes (flying manual), signifying the end of an era of this veritable warplane.

Wing Commander M K Singh, Flight Commander of the 'Warlords', then taxied in at the tarmac and switched-off his aircraft in front of the audience.

Inducted in the 80s to counter the F-16 threat in the western borders, the fighter aircraft now join ranks with other venerable warplanes that are already part of aviation folklore of the IAF.

At an emotional farewell flight of the last of the Rakshaks (Indian nomenclature), a MIG-23 MF first took off with the target-banner trailing that was followed by three other fighter-aircraft trailing rings of blue flame in their jet wake, a thunderous reminder of their enormous power.

With the 'end of an era' emblazoned in the banner that is normally used for air-to-air gun-firing practice, the banner tow aircraft made two passes jettisoning the banner in her final run.

UNI