Pune is major base for Su-30MKI fighters - to absorb third HAL-constructed squadron

Lohegaon, Pune: Air officer commanding-in-chief of south-western air command (SWAC), Air Marshal KD Singh has said that the Pune-located Lohegaon Air Force Station is set to become one of the most powerful airbases in the western region after a new Su-30MKI squadron is inducted here by December 2009.

Currently, the Lohegaon Air Force Station hosts two squadrons of the Su-30MKI, the 'Lightnings' and  the 'Rhinos'. The third squadron of the Su-30MKIs will roll out from the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd factory at Nasik.

According to air force officers, a lot of investment has been made to develop Pune as a base for the Sukhois, which is essential for the upkeep and maintenance of these high-tech aircraft.

A Jaguar squadron located here has recently shifted to Jamnagar airbase in Gujarat for strategic reasons.

Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force team comprising of eight Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft and their pilots and other elements, participants in the prestigious USAF 'Red Flag' exercises held at the Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada returned from their strenuous tour on Saturday afternoon.  The IAF team comprised eight Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, two IL-78 mid-air refuellers, one IL-76 heavy-lift aircraft and about 250 other staff, including 90 officers.

The team pitted its skills against American F-15s and F-16s, as well as French Rafale and South Korean F-15K fighter jets.

On their way back home the team also stopped over at Abu Dhabi and conducted exercises with the UAE air force.

Also welcoming the air warriors home was NDA Commandant, Air Marshal TS Randhawa, who is the Commodore Commandant of the no 20 squadron (Lightnings).

Group leader Wing Commander George Thomas said, "It was a great training opportunity for IAF to integrate our assets in an adverse environment thousands of miles away along with a country (USA) which is technologically quite advanced."

"Each mission was done to perfection. The main thrust of the exercise was on training. The threat environment was tailored to what your needs are - air, ground, space and water," he said. It was one of the rare occasions in the 33-year-old history of the 'Red Flag' exercise that an invitation was extended to a non-NATO nation, and the first time that the IAF participated.

Responding to the USAF offer that the IAF be a regular participant in the exercise, Air Marshal Singh said: "We would like to have more such exercises. But it's a decision taken at the government level."

Giving details about the exercise, Wg Cmdr Thomas said, "During this phase, a present-day air campaign was replicated, in which opposition forces or the 'Aggressors' F-16 and F-15s, were threats to the Blue Land (IAF) and its forces.

"The tasks are carried out by 'Strike Packages' comprising Su-30s flying along with the US Air Force, French Air Force and Korean Air Force. "The main challenge during the exercise for the team IAF was to adapt to the USAF network and also carry out 'Stand Alone' tasks simultaneously. Our young IAF pilots (average age: late 20s) have done this with amazing dexterity," he said.

The exercise was preceded by two weeks of work-up training at the Mountain Home Air Force Base of the US. The IAF flew over 200 sorties with the USAF. On its return, the contingent also made a week-long stopover at Al Dafra, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and participated in an air exerice with Mirage 2000-9 and F-16 aircraft of the UAE Air Force and Air Defence.