Tezpur air-base upgrading leads to make way for Su-30 MKI

Tezpur, Assam, Sep 6 (UNI) The Indian Air Force Base here was formally closed for upgradation and expansion today with the last squadron of the MiG-21 fighters flying out for Chabua in upper Assam.

Over a period of two years, new runways would be built and enhanced hardware be put in place for IAF's new inductees the Sukhoi multi-role combat fighters (Su-30 MKI).

''This is a sad moment that the hustle and bustle of the MiGs which have been here for last 40 years will not be there any more,'' said Air officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Air Command Air Marshal P K Borboroa while seeing off Wing Commander C Sharda who took the last squadron to Chabua in upper Assam.

''In one month from now whole lot of hardware will come here and runways are being modernised to make the Tezpur the most modern air base of the Indian Air Force,'' said Air Marshal Borbora who began his flying career in Tezpur.

The upgradation of Tezpur air base has become an utmost necessity as the country has embarked on a major mission to boost its air power on the eastern front. The plans include moving two squadrons or 36 state-of-the-art Sukhoi-30 MKI aircrafts to the base, adding advanced helicopters, strengthening runways and upgrading other facilities.

''From early 1970s, Air Force Station, Tezpur has housed three fighter squadrons, undertaking operational and training roles. With passage of time and in absence of an advance Jet Trainer, the need for one Central unit for conducting conversion and operational flying training was felt,'' said Air Commodore A G Patil, Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station Tezpur, adding that on December 1986, MiG Operational Flying Training Unit (MOFTU) was born.

The Tezpur air base has in these period completed 13500 sorties with MiG-21 flying on over 1000 training flights.

''I shall never consider this beautiful aircraft as flying coffins. If that is the case I would not have stood before you as the AOC-in-C of the Eastern Air Command,'' said an emotional Air Marshall Borbora who was one of the first pilots to fly the Sukhoi.

The Eastern Air Command (EAC) was first raised at Rani Kutir in Kolkata. Then it was shifted to Tezpur in 1963. By the end of 1963, the HQ was shifted to Shillong (Meghalaya). EAC controls air operations in the eastern sector, which includes West Bengal, Assam, Mizoram and the other eastern states bordering Bangladesh, Burma and Tibet. Eastern Air Command (EAC) features permanent airbases at Chabua, Guwahati, Bagdogra, Barrackpore, Hashmira, Jorhat, Kalaikunda and Tezpur with forward airbases at Agartala, Kolkata, Panagarh and Shillong.

UNI