First IAF Su-30 MKI Lands at RAF Waddington

New Delhi, June 29: The first Indian Air Force Sukhoi-30 MKI (Flanker-H) air superiority fighter touched down earlier today at the Royal Air Force (RAF) airbase Waddington marking a historic chapter in the 75th anniversary year of the IAF.

The event also infuses fresh vigour in the growing defence cooperation between the two air forces, said an official spokesperson here.

The fighters arrived in two separate waves trailing the two IL-78 fuel-tankers in a formation of three each -- which they had maintained all along from Tanagra in Greece.

The lead IL-78 MKI of the 'Titan' formation was led by Group Captain K Raghavendra with the three Su-30 MKI's in tow -- captained by IAF contingent Team Leader Group Captain Girish Saini, Commanding Officer of the No 30 Squadron Wing Commander AK Bharti, and Wing Commander H Assudani.

Wing Commander N Kharkar led the second wave 'Pluto' formation that landed 45 minutes later. The Su-30 MKIs in this formation were led by Wing Commander Asit Kumar, and Squadron Leaders SV Munje and Nitin Jain.

''This is undoubtedly history in the making'', observed Air Commodore PP Reddy, Air Attache at the Indian High Commission in London. He was present to welcome the IAF contingent -- arriving for the first time ever in the United Kingdom.

Among others present were Station Commander of RAF Waddington Group Captain Andy Fryer and Officer Commanding-Operations at the base Wing Commander Jobling besides officers of the 'Air Command' Team comprising Wing Commander S Cockbill, Squadron Leader M Cowie and Flight Lieutenant R Middleton.

Also present was Squadron Leader Richie Dicks, the Project Executive Officer belonging to RAF's No 25 Squadron and responsible for the planning of the exercise.

''The feeling is very good'', remarked IAF Contingent Leader Gp Capt Saini immediately after landing. ''Except for the terrain being flat as seen from air, the environment is quite similar to that in Pune. And yes, the weather is also good'', he said.

''It's a good first... A year's planning has been brought into fruition and the sight of the Su-30 MKIs on the tarmac is fantastic'', said Wing Commander Cockbill.

''The exercise is a wonderful thing to be happening as it will invigorate the relations between the two Air Forces that had seen a slight downswing after the early Sixties'', he said while interacting with some of the visiting IAF personnel.

''Most importantly, the fighters arrived on time and safely'', said Gp Capt Raghavendra, Commanding Officer of the IL-78 Squadron, on arrival at RAF Waddington.

''And this strategic reach for the fighters has been possible ever since the IAF began operating the air-refuellers the past four years'', he added.

The RAF airbase is already teeming with aviation aficionados in view of the weekend air show -- but the arrival of the much talked-about Su-30 MKIs kept most enthusiasts scanning the skies awaiting their arrival.

The Tornado F3 aircraft belonging to RAF's No 25 Squadron from the Leeming RAF airbase was also scheduled to arrive at Waddington by this late evening.

A total of 18 Fighter Pilots and two Flight Navigators -- who will also double-up as Weapons Systems Operators (WSO) -- will be flying the Su-30 MKI's during the ten-day joint Indo-UK air exercise 'Indra Dhanush-07' which gets underway from July 2 to 12.

Meanwhile, at the Waddington airshow this weekend, IAF Su-30 MKIs and IL-78 were slated to participate and were major attractions already.

UNI