Kartik Lokhande's blog

Eastern Air Command, which had its seeds in the developments ahead of Chinese aggression of 1962, has today grown into a very significant command of the Indian Air Force. During its journey till date, it has written and re-written chapters of glory. In 1971, during the war for liberation of Bangladesh, EAC dealt deadly blows to not only the defence infrastructure but also the morale of the Pakistani forces holding ground in the then East Pakistan. At present, it guards the eastern skies above the areas bordering mainly China, Myanmar, Bangladesh. ‘The Hitavada’ Chief Reporter Kartik Lokhande visited the EAC areas recently to get a closer look at the past and present significance of the EAC. It was 11.29 hours on December 14, 1971. A formation of four Mig-21 aircraft, equipped with gallant men and high explosive rockets, took off from Guwahati air-base. Wg Cdr Bhupendra Kumar Bishnoi, the Formation Leader, and Flt Lt Vinod Bhatia led one team and another team comprised F...

  * Air India mulling over a proposal for using Passighat ALG for civilian flights By Kartik Lokhande Walong/Shillong, May 20: Apart from the Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) at Walong in easternmost part of the country, those at seven other locations in Arunachal Pradesh also are being refurbished to facilitate military and civilian support in areas bordering China and Myanmar. Of these seven ALGs, Passighat and Along (or, Aalo) assume special significance. The work on existing ALG at Passighat is expected to be completed by the end of this year. So far, 68 per cent of the work of the ALG has been completed. Since 1947, Passighat ALG was in use for casualty evacuation and logistics, supply. Along the banks of the river Siang, this ALG has the potential to serve as ‘Air Stores Park’. Considering better availability of space, AN-32 can land comfortably and even the big transport aircraft like IL-76 and C-130 may land here if required in future, said an official....

* 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 fixe...