WW-II, 1962 relic ALG at Walong being refurbished

* Walong is located in the easternmost part of the country in Arunachal Pradesh, closer to border with China and Myanmar 

By Kartik Lokhande

WALONG (Arunachal Pradesh), May 19:

Men create history, and historic moments create monuments. Some monuments get buried in history, but some like the Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) at Walong actually live episode after episode of history.

Seven decades ago, in the year 1945, the British Rulers made it with specific purpose of use in Burma Campaign during World War-II. It was constructed basically for Otter aircraft. Sixty-four years ago, in the year 1951, it saw the first ‘operational para drop’ of Independent India. Fifty-three years ago, in 1962, its length was extended to accommodate India’s requirements during the Chinese aggression. After the war, it was made capable for DHC-4 Caribou aircraft. In early 1977, it was further extended keeping in mind ‘safety reasons’. In 1987, it saw the last recorded landing of fixed-wing aircraft -- a DHC-4 Caribou.

Come May 2015, and the historic Walong ALG is in the final stages of refurbishment. By the end of August 2015, it will be all anew and ready for rotary-wing aircraft (helicopters). ‘The Hitavada’ travelled all the way to the far east of Arunachal Pradesh and saw that Walong ALG refurbishing project is nearing completion. The project is significant considering its geographical location, which is closer to the borders with China and Myanmar. 

Pic by Kartik Lokhande

Located along the banks of river Lohit (that originates in Tibet and known as Ngi Chu in China), the concretised run-way is all ready. Apart from the run-way, infrastructure for personnel is almost ready. Despite all odds – of terrain, restrictions on transport of material, unexpected downpours, problems arising out of the condition of roads to this easternmost part of India – the personnel here have been performing the given task with utmost dedication. The result – Walong’s will be the first among eight ALGs to become operational again after refurbishing.

For strategic reasons, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has taken up the task of refurbishing of eight ALGs in Arunachal Pradesh, along China and Myanmar borders. The entire area comes under the jurisdiction of Eastern Air Command (EAC).

To facilitate air operations (transport and casualty evacuation), the ALG at Walong was extended previously. The present-day project of refurbishing the Walong ALG is being executed by Bengal Engineer Group of the Indian Army, and a private construction company. It was in better use till 1985. However, on July 30, 1985, a DHC-3 Otter aircraft on maintenance visit from Mohanbari to Walong, crashed at the ALG. In the crash, fortunately no one was injured, but the left wing got separated from the aircraft and was damaged badly. Later on, for several years, this damaged wing was in use as ‘support’ for boundary wall of Medical Aid Post, Walong, till Col Neeta Gode discovered it in October 2010. 

Pic by Kartik Lokhande

Even today, one can see the damaged left wing that is being placed closer to the ALG in the form of a memorial. The last time, as the officials told ‘The Hitavada’, any fixed-wing aircraft that landed at Walong ALG was in 1987. Then, a DHC-4 Caribou landed there. As per the information available there, Wg Cdr S K Goel and Flt Lt Sachdeva had piloted and co-piloted this aircraft. Later, Otters were phased out and since then no fixed-wing aircraft landed there. “But, helicopters or rotary wing aircraft have been landing here,” said an official.

At present, Walong ALG is being refurbished up to the length of 850 metres. However, given the restrictions imposed by mountainous terrain and limited space available for aircraft, the landing at the ALG will be unidirectional.

As stated earlier, Walong is among eight ALGs in Arunachal Pradesh that are being refurbished under the EAC area. Under the area of EAC, the IAF has permanent air-bases at Chhabua, Guwahati, Bagdogra, Barrackpore, Hasimara, Jorhat, Kalaikunda, Tezpur, Silchar, and Mohanbari (Dibrugarh) with forward air-bases at Agartala, Panagarh, and Shillong. The eight ALGs being refurbished are namely at Tawang, Mechuka, Along (or, Aalo), Walong, Tuting, Vijoyanagar, Passighat, and Ziro. These ALGs were in use during World War-II or in subsequent operations especially during Chinese aggression in 1962. These ALGs facilitate air-lift and air-supplies to remote areas in the country’s far east.

Braving the odds in refurbishing of Walong ALG

The refurbishing of Walong ALG is nearing completion, and the works of renovating the memorials and giving finishing touches to the building complexes in the area are at advanced stages. However, the journey to this point has not been an easy one for Bengal Engineer Group that is executing the project.

As an official familiar with the situation told ‘The Hitavada’, at least 21 persons including four Indian Army personnel have died in mishaps during the execution of the project. As is the case, there exists no pucca or tar road throughout the stretch from Assam plains to Walong ALG site. Whatever road width available in the mountains is often obliterated by landslides. Unexpected rains result in water gushing down the mountains, and sometimes strong currents of water wash away the bridges, halting the work for days at stretch. 

Pic by Kartik Lokhande

Carrying steel, cement, iron bars, and even nails was a big problem as two bridges -- one at Salti and another at Sarti -- were washed away when it rained heavily. Further, there are restrictions on carrying loads over nine tonnes as the bridges available -- one near Tidding and another near Mompani -- have the capacity to carry load of 12 tonnes and nine tonnes only. As a result, the private construction company and Bengal Engineer Group executing the Walong ALG project had to take care that transport vehicles carried less than nine tonnes of material in one go. Though one bridge had capacity of 12 tonnes, another one was of nine tonnes capacity. So, material had to be transported considering the capacity of the latter bridge.

On some occasions, an official said, heavy equipment of 24 tonnes or more than nine tonnes had to be carried through river-bed during summer, in which temporary passage ways had to be created by deploying excavators. 

Pic by Kartik Lokhande

While fighting these odds, there were at least three major mishaps involving the labourers of the private construction company that has been engaged in project execution. In a mishap that occurred near village Kuibiang, a truck carrying one part of crusher was lost as the bridge it was crossing went down. A child, who was travelling with the labourers, was killed. In another mishap, a Tata Sumo jeep carrying 11 persons went down near Hawa Pass, and eight of them died.

In October 2014, a Stallion truck carrying seven Army personnel went down a sharp curve at a place 7 kms short of village Salangam. In this mishap, four Army personnel perished and only three survived. Recently, in February 2015, a Xylo MUV went down near a hydro-power project site at Lautul, leaving dead eight out of total 12 persons.

Despite these odds, those engaged in the task of refurbishing the all-important Walong ALG are working undeterred. For, they know that any great work of national interest, seeks sacrifices at various levels and of varied nature.

First operational para drop of Independent India

As per the records available and interaction with the IAF and the Indian Army officials, Walong ALG was used in Burma Campaign during World War-II. Then, said an official, it was only a landing strip of barely 450 metres. After the World War-II, however, it was not in much of use. Later, it shot to prominence on January 8, 1951, when the brave IAF men carried out the first ‘operational para drop’ of Independent India. The gallant aviators of this historic mission included Flying Officer K S Pal, Sqn Ldr S S Achreja, Wg Cdr Y V Malse (who later rose to become Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Air Command), Flying Officer R C Upadhya, and Flying Officer Suresh. Presently, a black marble plaque with these names inscribed in golden letters commemorates the historic para drop.

Walong ALG in 1962 war

In 1962, when India woke up to the rude shock of the Chinese aggression in the then North-Eastern Frontier Agency (NEFA), Indian Army personnel were rushed to far-flung areas without giving them a chance to get acclimatised. Similar was the condition of the Air Force. Then, it had piston-engined Dakotas, Packets C-119, IL-14, AN-12, Otters, Mi-4 helicopters.

All these had operational height ceilings that made it difficult to operate in mountainous regions, and carry out the expected transport roles. The aircraft had to avoid high peaks especially in foggy weather, routes had to be carefully selected through valleys, and pilots also had to carry oxygen cylinders as the aircraft were not pressurised. Further, as the records reveal, there was ‘practically total absence’ of any kind of ground support facilities for safe landing, there were no radars.

As the history of 1962 war reveals, 59 Squadron comprising Otters and 105 and 110 Helicopter Units carried out ‘daring landings on unprepared surfaces’ in NEFA. The Otters were helpful in inducting an entire brigade of the Indian Army from Tezu to Walong. In fact, the aircraft on return journey from Walong, carried out casualty evacuation and saved many lives. If one relies on official history of 1962 war that is still categorised as ‘restricted’, during a supply mission, a helicopter of 110 Helicopter Unit was shot down at Walong on November 16, 1962. However, there is no confirmation to this from the present-day establishment. 

(19-05-15)  

(Published in THE HITAVADA as all-edition front page exclusive report)