IAF to commission Phalodi air base today

New Delhi, Apr 6 (ANI): Indian Air Force (IAF) chief, Air Chief Marshal P V Naik will dedicate the Phalodi air field in Rajasthan to the service of the nation today.

The new airfield is considered as a step towards bridging gap in air defence in the western sector.

The Phalodi airfield, replete with modern infrastructure.

The airbase is strategically located between Jaisalmer and Jodhpur will straddle the distance between the two airbases.

According to the IAF, the base is ready to undertake all types of operations.

The inauguration ceremony will comprise flypast by various fighter formations and landing of first fighter aircraft at the base.

Besides Air Chief Marshal Naik, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Western Air Command (SWAC) Air Marshal P S Bhangu will also be present.

In April 2000, the Union Government approved the construction of Phalodi air base with specific consideration to the geo-political scenario and the need for in-built flexibility in operational requirements.

In July 2001, the IAF, established a Care and Maintenance Unit (C and MU) at Phalodi.

The Government's sanction for establishment of Air Force Station Phalodi was accorded with effect from July 2006, and the Station under SWAC has been functioning independently since then. (ANI)