Army Aviation Corps turns 22 tomorrow tomorrow

New Delhi, Oct 31 (UNI) Army Aviation Corps celebrates its first reunion tomorrow when it turns 22.

The reunion is being held at Combat Army Aviation Training School at Nasik in Maharashtra, Defence Ministry said today.

After making a small beginning with four light weight unarmed Auster aircraft in 1947, Army Aviation Corps, formerly known as Air Operation (Air OP), was formally set up on November 1 in 1986.

This elite arm is today wholly manned, maintained and flown by select personnel of the Indian Army. The Soldiers In The Sky' with their versatile helicopters are the lifeline of brave Indian troops deployed in far flung inhospitable terrain.

The Corps, aptly described as force multipliers, provide air support to ground troops during war. The 24x7 force has also been in the forefront providing support in meeting challanges of natural disasters; be it a landslide in Sikkim, snow storm in Jammu and Kashmir, floods in the east, earthquakes or the devastating tsunami.

The Corps of Olive Green Wings' is headed by Maj Gen A H Gadre, an army pilot with extensive flying experience. Lt Gen K S Jamwal, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command is the Colonel Commandant of the Corps.

UNI