IAF returns to base after Indo-UK air exercise

Ahmedabad, July 23 (UNI) The Indian Air Force Contingent returnece home after the successful completion of second bilateral Indo-UK air exercise ''Indradhanush 07'' at Royal Air Force (RAF) base Waddington in United Kingdom.

IAF sources here informed that the aim of this series of exercise is to find areas of commonality between the two air forces, learn from each others employment philosphies and share each sides' experience on employment of combat power in varying scenarios.

The exercise also presents an excellent opportunity for the operations and maintenance support personnel to work together and imbibe the best practices that each has to offer besides an excellent learning curve for pilots who will go back with a lot of experience.

The contingent comprising six Sukhoi 30 MKI fighters, two IL-78 tankers and two IL-76 cargo aircraft was flagged off from the Lohegaon Air Base in Pune on June 24. Indradhanush is a instance in gwalior last year.

This was the first time that the IAF carried out an exercise anywhere in UK. It was also an exercise where the IAF Su-30 MKI's maiden arrival over the European sky was keenly awaited by thousands of aviation afficionados and spotters, who thronged the perimeter of the airbase unfailingly on a daily basis, all through the exercise duration. This was also an opportunity that provided social and cultural interaction between the two countries.

The successful completion of exercise Indradhansuh 07 only reiterates IAF's strategic reach to far flung corners of the world.

IAF maintained cent per cent aircraft serviceability during the entire period and there were no mission aborts speaks volumes of the professionalism displayed by the men in blue who have done the country proud.

Air officer Commanding in Chief of the South Western Air Command Air Marshal K D Singh, arrived at air force station Pune today and addressed the full contingent and complimented their team efforts, sources added.

UNI