The thunderous roars and the streaking manoeuvres of the Indian Air Force (IAF) frontline fighters that regularly dot the southwestern skies in securing the inviolability of the nation's airspace will be seen over the Ahmedabad skyline from November10-12. | |
| Jodhpur, Jamnagar, Baroda and Pune are the names of few cities spread across Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra. They also are home to some of the important airbases of the South Western Air Command (SWAC) that has their HQ based in Gandhinagar. |
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| But it should come as no surprise to the onlookers of the aerial extravaganza at Ahmedabad, that except for the 'Surya Kiran Aerobatics Team' and the 'Sarang' helicopter display team, all the other participating aircraft, namely the Mig-21s, Mig-23s, Mig-27s, Mig-29s, Jaguars, Su-30 MKIs, Avros, Chetaks, Mi-8s and Mi-17 helicopters will fly-in from such far-flung airbases of the Command with clockwork precision. |
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| For 90-minutes on each of the three days, citizens will be treated to non-stop, precise aerial manoeuvres executed by the Air Warriors at their appointed timings, staggered only seconds apart. Altogether 65 aircraft of various types will participate in the air show apart from those that will be on static display in the airfield. |
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| Such a show of precision and professional acumen normally is a result of the high standards of training, excellent coordination and teamwork among the various branches of the IAF such as the operations, maintenance and the administrative machinery. |
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| The repertoire of air show will begin with 'petal dropping' by two Chetak helicopters, to be followed by 'trooping of Colours' by three Mi-17 twin-engine helicopters. Three Avro transport aircraft from Baroda will then fly past in a vic formation. |
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| The stage then gets set for the fighter aircraft that operate in various frontline airbases of SWAC. Two Mig-27 swing-wing fighter jets will make a 'photo run' over the viewing public and take a picture through their inbuilt cameras. |
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| They will be followed by three more Mig-27 fighters in a vic formation. A five-aircraft Bison 'shock wave formation' will follow this up in their latest upgraded version of the Mig-21s, being operated in some of the SWAC airbases. |
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| The twin-engine fighter jets that follow will also fly past in several formations that include a 'diamond formation' by four Mig-29s, and a breathtaking 'arrow head formation' by five Jaguars, the Deep Penetration Strike Aircraft. |
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| Showcased at most air shows and considered a formidable 'Multi Role Combat Aircraft' that defies most conventional aerodynamic logic, Sukhoi-30 MKI, the latest acquisition of the IAF will demonstrate 'buddy refueling', the unique capability of one Su-30 MKI to refuel in mid-air yet another Su-30 MKI. |
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| This will be followed up by a three Su-30 MKI vic formation fly past. The show-stealer may however, be the single Su-30 MKI performing solo aerobatics, a feat that makes the adrenaline gush unabatedly in onlookers, young and old alike. |
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| No air show by any Air Force is truly complete without a demonstration of 'aerial dogfight'. While the concept has since metamorphosed into 'aerial combats' from the dogfights of the yore, a demonstration of a 'mock combat' involving Mig-23 MFs, Jaguars and Su-30 MKIs can also be seen over the Ahmedabad airfield that will be sanitised of all civilian air traffic during the entire duration of the exercise. |
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| But it is not just the fighters that signify the operational preparedness of the Command in the region. The helicopters in the armed role, during 'special heli-borne operations' undertaken by Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters are capable of delivering a lightning blow to the enemy. |
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| This capability will be demonstrated in multitudes of operations that include 'strike', 'slithering', dropping of specialised equipment and vehicles during a simulated covert operation under the protective umbrella of a 'combat air patrol' provided by two Mig-29s. |
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| No aerial show by IAF can truly be complete without the Surya Kiran Aerobatics Display. However, this time an added attraction that has been winning hearts and minds all over is the maiden display by 'Sarang' in Gujarat. |
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| Majestically and colourfully painted in the pattern of the national bird, the Peacock, four Advanced Light Helicopters 'Dhruv' will waltz in the air in front of the audience. |
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| The 'static show' being lined up on the adjoining taxi track of the Ahmedabad airfield will display all participating aircraft, weapon systems, air defence sensors, publicity stalls and souvenir stall. |
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