Training helped IAF in Uttarakhand rescue: Browne

A comprehensive training programme and intensive air exercises helped the Indian Air Force (IAF) conduct massive rescue and relief operations in disaster-hit Uttarakhand, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne said Friday.

"Our training programmes and regular exercises like Live Wire held in March-April helped our men and women carry out rescue and relief operation in Uttarakhand from June 16-17. Our choppers did an excellent job, rescuing about 23,000 people in 2,300 sorties in a short span of two weeks," Browne said at an aerospace medicine conference here.

Asserting that the IAF operation in Uttarakhand would make a case study to learn how good training and indoctrination could sustain high intensity of surge operations in a short time, Browne saluted his young men and women for an outstanding job, which earned the gratitude of the entire nation.

"The crew sustained the operation in a hostile environment and extremely adverse circumstances amidst unprecedented scale of destruction and death all around the region in bad weather and despite losing five warriors in one mission," Browne recalled.

Admitting that the country was facing numerous challenges, including the security threat from the neighbourhood from state and non-state actors, the IAF chief said the country's air power was one instrument that could be used for statecraft and to provide a solution to some of the emerging scenarios.

"We are committed to move forward on the transformational path with focus on improving our operational capability. We have number of programmes in progress. Lot of new induction is taking place, new platforms are being added and new training profiles are being included," Browne said at the 53rd annual conference of the Indian Society of Aerospace Medicine (ISAM).

The six-decade-old ISAM is the second oldest society of aerospace medicine in the world.