| Airchief Unveils a
MiG-23MF at Gandhinagar http://gujaratblog.blogsource.com/post.mhtml?post_id=188126
First MIG-23 MF public display in the country
Tuesday, January 17, 2006 at 20:32 IST
Chiloda traffic circle on the outskirts of the state capital got a “Gate
Guardian” as the Indian Air Force put on public display a MIG-23 MF. ‘Gate
Guardian’ MIG-23 MF fighter-bomber aircraft of the IAF is mounted on a pedestal set
against the backdrop of the towering power station chimneys.
This is the first – 23 MF aircraft to be ever mounted anywhere in the country for
public display. What makes this display more important is the fact that the aircraft, a
fighter bomber, is still operational.
The MIG-23 MF aircraft capable of Mach2.35 was inducted in the IAF in 1982 to meet the
enhanced threat. This Russian swing-wing aircraft formed two squadrons at Adampur in
Punjab. The aircraft actively operated in Siachen Glacier for ‘Op Meghdoot’ till
1997.
It was the first supersonic fighter aircraft of the IAF to land at Leh airfield at a
height of 10682 feet above mean sea level. After proving its worth in the rugged and
difficult terrain of the Himalayan mountain ranges, it moved to the plains of Jamnagar in
Gujarat. During ‘Op Parakram’ in 2001-02, this aircraft operating from Jamnagar
was actively involved in keeping vigil over borders.
At a special ceremony held coinciding with the SWAC Commanders’ Conference
currently underway in Gandhinagar, Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi, Chief of the Air staff
today unveiled a plaque for the MIG-23 MF (SK-402) fighter bomber at the venue.
http://in.rediff.com/news/2006/jan/17iaf.htm
Geo-economic security is new focus
for IAF
January 17, 2006 01:41 IST
"The gas comsumption in the country is moving up and the world is
becoming more energy hungry everyday," said Air Chief Marshal, SP Tyagi
addressing media on Monday at Gandhinagar.
With an obvious hint at the western borders of the country, which are
humming with economic activities, Tyagi said, "If trade has to grow, trade
security becomes a key issue. We have moved from geo-political to geo-economic and the
prevailing system is better than what it was a year ago."
Adding that the Indian economy is unstoppable, he said, "I have assured
President Kalam that, if necessary, the Indian warfare is ready to fight and win."
While emphasising that the Air Force has to plan well in advance, he said, "IAF is
very clear what it wants to accomplish but the time frame depends on the budget."
"At present IAF is focussing on longer range aircrafts, aeroplanes that can
be refilled in space and are aiming for greater reach and more exploitation in
space," he said.
The IAF airbases in Jodhpur, Bhuj, Jamnagar and Puna are open for civil aviation 'as it
is a national property', he said.
Talking about the MiG-21, which was referred as 'flying coffin' by the media, he said,
"The aircraft costs Rs 100 crores and we are no fools to put our peoples' lives at
stake."
About the IAF facing stiff competition from private airliners, Tyagi said,
"Till now I have rarely recived resignations explaining that the pilots are joining
private airliners and they, too, know what responsibilities rest on them."
The salary package is Rs 3 lakh per month for junior pilots and Rs 5 lakh for seniors,
he added.
Tyagi on Monday unveiled a plaque for the MiG-23 MF (SK-402) fighter-bomber
at the venue, the first ever public display of the aircraft in India.
A three-day conference comprising IAF commanders from all the airbases of South Western
Air Command was also scheduled for the day. In 2005, IAF has been fighting disasters
including tsunami, avalanche in Jammu and Kashmir, cyclones and floods, he said.
"In Jammu and Kashmir, IAF aircraft flew for 4,000 hours to aid the civilians
creating history of sorts," Tyagi said.
The Air Chief Marshal also presented trophies to the winners in various categories for
excellence in operational, maintenance and administrative activities held in the
Command during the preceding year.
http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=61493
Earlier at the commanders' conference, Tyagi presented 24 trophies to winners of
various categories for excellence in operational, maintenance and administrative
activities held in the command during the preceding year.
While, `Falcons of Chhamb and Akhnoor' operating the MIG-21 T-96 won the trophy for the
Best Fighter Squadron, `Desert Hawks', a mi-17 unit of the command won the trophy in the
Best Helicopter/Transport unit category. The `sharp shooters' squadron equipped with
Sam-III Pechora missiles won the trophy for Best `Surface to Air guided weapon' unit.
Forward operating airbase of Naliya in Gujarat, Lohegaon airbase in Pune and Jodhpur in
Rajasthan won the trophies for the Best Stations in Operations, Maintenance and
Administration respectively.
Tyagi also unveiled a plaque of a MIG-23 MF fighter-bomber aircraft mounted on a
pedestal at Chiloda Circle here.
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