IAF leaves lasting impression

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 18 (UNI) Thousands of people gathered at the Shangumugham beach here to watch a spectacular display of the acrobatic skills by the Indian Air Force today.

The show started with entry of three Advanced Light Helicopters of the Sarang team flying from behind the gathearing.

Led by team leader Wing Commander Shashank Misra, a veteran pilot and founder-member of the team, the lead helicopter performed a vertical peel off and rotated 180 degrees followed by a dip and saluating the spectators.

The team displayed the high-speed reverse flight through close formation with other two helicopters. They moved on to perform VIC formation and executed breathtaking synchronised stall turn manoeuver.

Sarang displayed 'cross over breaks', 'diagonal crosses', and 'double arrow' formations. The team signed off with the Sarang split with helicopters crossing each other vertically and horizontally to form a knot.

Then came the ''Suryakirans'' with the nine Kiran Mark II aircraft team led by Wing Commander Sandeep Bansal. With their wingtips separated by just a few metres, they moved into a diamond formation and rolled towards their left to form a ''Card'' with three aircraft flying abreast and another three trailing just behind.

Regrouping again after a breathtaking ''synchro head-on cross'', they dived vertically and then pulled up again in different directions to stimulate the bomb burst.

The team went on to perform hair raising formations of ''Diamond, Columbia and Tango'', the last one in a tribute to the citizens here conveying 'Thank You' for their love and support.

The team signed off with aircraft leaving the heavy trail of Indian tri colour in the sky.

By then, MI-17 IAF helicopter was flying around in the sky with 10 parachutists of Akashganga Sky Diving Team ready to jump down from a height of about 6,000 ft. Led by Sq Ldr D S Sharma, the team did a free fall for some time and then opened their parachutes. Even as they descended from the sky, they performed gravity-defying manoeuvers.

The next show would be held at Madurai on April 24 and 25, where the Team Suryakiran would perform at Verangnur.

Kerala Governor R L Bhatia and Air Marshal Y R Rane, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Air Command also witnessed the show .

UNI