Gallantry and skill of our airmen is amazing: CM
Bhopal: Indian Air Force (IAF) will be celebrating its 91st anniversary on 8 Oct 23. As a prelude to the Air Force Day celebrations, the IAF held a fascinating aerial display at Bhopal on 30 September 2023, showcasing its power, while also motivating the youth to choose the IAF as a career.
The residents of Bhopal witnessed the mega air display by the Indian Air Force over the picturesque Upper Lakeake. Nearly 50 aircraft, airborne from various air bases near and far, participated in the display. The Governor Mangubhai Chhaganbhai Patel graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, along with several civil and military dignitaries, also joined the event and witnessed the spectacular air show.
The impressive air display commenced with the Akashganga team, with 10 air warriors skydiving from a Mi-17 helicopter. The Formation flying by Su-30 MKI, Mirage-2000, Jaguar, Kiran Mk II, Tejas, C-130 Hercules, IL-78, An-32, CH-47 Chinook, Mi-17 and Chetak showcased the professionalism of the IAF.
Another highlight was the demonstration of aerial refueling, where a Su-30 MKI provided fuel to an LCA and an IL-78 replenished a Mirage 2000 fighter.
This was followed by a range of aerobatics by the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and the Su-30 MKI. The Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team and the Sarang helicopter display team made their mark with their perfectly timed and synchronised manoeuvres.
Governor Patel and CM Chouhan appreciated the bravery, skill and amazing display of aerobatics with aircrafts performed by the daring jawans of the Air Force. Governor Shri Patel and Chief Minister Shri Chouhan watched the performance of the Air Force from Wind and Waves Restaurant of MP Tourism located at Upper Lake.
Air Force officials presented various activities in the sky from planes and helicopters. In the programme, formations like Tiranga, Rudra, Dhwaj, Shamsher, Trishul, Gajraj etc. were created while giving awe-inspiring demonstrations from war planes like Jaguar, Sukhoi, Mirage 2000 and various helicopters. Chief Secretary Shri Iqbal Singh Bains, Director General of Police Shri Sudhir Kumar Saxena and senior Air Force officers participated in the programme. On this occasion, a large number of people present appreciated the valour of the IAF and encouraged the brave airmen with continuous applause and zeal. The public also greeted CM Shri Chouhan.
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan thanked the Air Force for the thrilling fly-past of the Air Force in Bhopal. In his message issued to the media, CM Shri Chouhan said that today the warriors of our Air Force performed amazingly in the skies of Bhopal. Our country is completely safe with such valiant pilots, we are proud of them. CM Shri Chouhan also thanked the people of Bhopal for participating in the event in large numbers.
