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IAF personnel leave for South Africa

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, SEPT. 13. Eight Mirage 2000s accompanied by two IL-78 refuelling aircraft and two IL-76 transport support aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) today took off from the Shanghumughom Air Base to participate in the two-week exercise titled `Golden Eagle 2004' being organised in South Africa from September 16.

The Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal M. McMohan, who arrived from the Air Force Headquarters, and the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Air Command, Air Marshal S. K. Malik, briefed the IAF team comprising over 150 personnel before their departure to South Africa. It is for the second time that the fighter aircraft of IAF were travelling outside the shores of the country for participating in an exercise.

Briefing presspersons, Air Marshal McMohan said it was for the first time that the IAF fighter jets would be operating in the African continent. The IAF would also showcase its presence from air at the Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition during the visit. The interactions between various air forces had grown rapidly over the last five years and participation in the exercises would give increased exposure to the IAF personnel, he said.

Joint exercises

The Vice Chief of the Air Staff said the IAF had carried out joint exercises with the United States' Air Force in Agra and Alaska this year. The Singapore Air Force would visit the country next month for carrying out joint exercises with the IAF.

Group Captain Rajan Basin, who heads the IAF team, said these "goodwill ambassadors" would operate along with "Cheetah" fighter jets of the South African Air Force. Defensive and offensive manoeuvres would be part of the exercise. The United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and Sweden would be among the countries participating.

Wing Commander Viswa Mohan Unnithan, who is from PTP Nagar in the city and heading the IL-76, said they would return after the Mirage 2000s land in South Africa and would again go there to accompany the aircraft during their return journey.

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