President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday awarded the ‘President’s Standard’ to Indian Air Force’s elite 119 Helicopter Unit, known for its role to flush out terrorists during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and various other special operations including in foreign shores, for its professional excellence and stellar performance.
Mukherjee also accorded ‘President Colours’ to 28 Equipment Depot, the armament store that “provides lethality” to fighter and bomber squadrons of the Indian Air Force units. Addressing the parade at the Jamnagar airbase, one of the oldest and premier IAF stations, the President said India is firmly committed to peace and equality for which the country needs effective deterrence and a strong defence force.
“The nation is striving hard for all-round economic growth and social empowerment of its citizens. However, we remain equally focused on building capacity to defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity. Our Armed Forces give us confidence in the nation’s ability to face any aggression and safeguard its interests,” he said in his address to the IAF personnel.
“The massive relief operations undertaken by the Indian Air Force during many natural calamities in the past are all etched in our memories. Such operations are shining examples of the fortitude and determination of its gallant air warriors,” he said.
“Since their inception, they have rendered illustrious service to the nation and done us proud. Their rich heritage and stellar efforts in the pursuit of excellence have set a benchmark for others to emulate. For their selfless devotion, professionalism and courage in the face of adversity, the Nation honours them today with a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation,” said Mukherjee, who is the supreme commander of the defence forces.
119 Helicopter Unit was raised in Guwahati in March 1972 as ‘Angels of Mercy’ with Mi-8 helicopters.Initially, the unit flew extensively in support of counter insurgency operations in Nagaland and ‘Operation Falcon’ in Arunachal Pradesh.
It took part in ‘Operation Cactus’ in November 1988 (which is India’s intervention for restoration of Government’s rule in Maldives) and played a major role during the ‘Atlantique Crisis’ of August 1999 (in which a Pakistan’s Navy plane was gunned down) and ‘Operation Black Tornado’ after the terrorist attack on Mumbai in November 26, 2008, Mukherjee said.
The unit now operates the newly acquired Mi-17 V5 helicopters. It had undertaken humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations in Gujarat and Nepal recently. The unit has lived up to its motto “Apatsu Mitram” meaning “Friends in Distress.”
The 28 Equipment Depot, which deals with all facets of air armament stores, has completed 62 years of service to the nation.
The Depot played a significant role in the operations of 1965, 1971 and 1999 wars by providing huge quantity of explosive stores in serviceable condition to the units engaged in operations.
“It would not be wrong to say that this Depot provides the lethality to the fighter and bomber squadrons of the Indian Air Force. In the years gone by, the Depot has been a trend-setter in innovation and has successfully modified the life-expired live missiles into its training version,” the President added.
During the programme also attended by Gujarat Governor OP Kohli and IAF Chief Arup Raha, there were fly pasts by three Mi-17 helicopters each with the national flag and Jaguar fighter aircraft. Sarang and Suryakiran aerobatic teams also performed on the occasion.
On the sidelines, IAF chief Arup Raha said India is mulling manufacturing one more line of fighter aircraft to replenish its dwindling fleet.
Raha said the second line of fighter jets will be in addition to light combat aircraft Tejas and 36 Rafale planes that India will procure from France.
“Definitely they (government) are thinking to set up one more line of fighter aircraft in a year under the Make in India project so that the dwindling fighter aircraft fleet can be replaced within shortest possible time,” Raha said.