angels of the sky
They are the angels in sky - hovering all over
MUMBAI, Nov 8/1999:
They are known as the angels in the sky. They hover all over to maintain the hawk-eyed vigil over the coastal areas and sea, and even perform peace-time roles. When required they perform the deadly combat role to silence the guns of enemy.
These are helicopters of the Indian Navy. Be it the Chetaks, the formidable Seaking Bravos and Charlies, Matches and the Kamovs. "Helicopters play a very important role and are an integral part of the the mighty Indian Navy", says Commodore Subodh Purohit, the Commanding Officer of the Naval Air Station Ins Kunjali here.
While the squadron of Chetaks are known as Angels, Zappers are the ones who fly the British-made Seaking 4Cc known as the Marine Commando Flight. Harpoons as the name suggests, are the guys who look for submarine on Seaking 42B and attack them with missiles. Eagles are those who fly the Russian-made Kamovs.
"They are always on alert and can fly in just three minutes notice", said the Commodore, who is now busy with the preparations of the international fleet review 2000 to be held in February next year. Preparations are on for the next year’s mega event, the theme for which is "bridges of friendship".
Around 30 naval choppers will be part of the 65 aircraft taking part in the fly past on September 17, which will be reviewed by President K R Narayanan and the next day, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee will witness the international city parade on the marine drive. "The planning has to be accurate, as so many different type of aircraft will fly in a span of a few minutes", Commodore Purohit said.
During the international city parade the naval helicopters, he said will also display search and rescue operations. He adds that since the Ins Kunjali, one of the seven naval air stations of the country, came to existence, more than 150 lives have been saved thanks to these daredevils who fly these machines in extreme weather conditions.
These pilots, navigators, divers, officers and sailors on-board these wonderful flying machines have rescued many lives from the jaws of death, sometimes as so far as 200 km into the sea. Whether it is a sinking ship, cyclone-hit Kandla or Orissa or routine operational tasks — they are everready to take up any job.
The dare-devils are always ready for help - anyone, anytime. They are always prepared to take up challenging tasks and combat role. Be it a commando operation, airlift, tracing and submarine and finishing it off or search and rescue. Even daring tasks of show displaying the powress of the services.
Ins Kunjali, the Naval Air Station here, meets the helicopter missions for the Navy’s Western Naval Command (WNC). The base started operations in 1971 and operated more than 25 helicopters of various hues. Other than meeting naval tasks, the base also supports helicopter operation of indian Air Force, Army, Coast Guard and even a few civil agencies.
It will be the nerve centre of all air operations during the international fleet review. "We are fully prepared for it", says the ace pilot, who has carried out several missions. The helicopters based here fly out to warships to join on their mission, sometimes remaining at sea for months together. And when these ships return, the choppers fly back to the base for maintenance and training of crew.
Primary among these are the Seaking Mark 42BS from the house of Westland in Britain. These are known as the teeth of the Navy, forming the 330 squadron. They can hunt down submarines lurking in the deep, sink intruding warships, snoop on enemy electronic activity and become good command and control platform.
Then there are seaking 42 CS, again British-made, which carry out dangerous covert missions whith the Navy’s elite marcos, better known as Marine Commandos. It can also carry army troops and commandos during amphibious operations. They, like the 42BS do search and rescue at large distances into the sea and can even shift cargo, which may be as big as a jeep.
The Russian Kamov 28S, which also specialise in hunting down submarines, whilst flying from ships are based in Ins Kunjali. The bulk of coastal search and rescue responsibility is with the 321 Flight made up of tiny yet redoubtable Chetaks. The manned attached torpedo carrying helicopter (match), built by the HAL, can also be operated from here. In future when the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) joins, it can also operate from this base.
Angels in the sky — is the right sobriquet for the men and machines of the naval air station here. However, lest the enemy should forget, the angels could even rain death, when called upon to do so. (UNI)
MUMBAI, Nov 8/1999:
They are known as the angels in the sky. They hover all over to maintain the hawk-eyed vigil over the coastal areas and sea, and even perform peace-time roles. When required they perform the deadly combat role to silence the guns of enemy.
These are helicopters of the Indian Navy. Be it the Chetaks, the formidable Seaking Bravos and Charlies, Matches and the Kamovs. "Helicopters play a very important role and are an integral part of the the mighty Indian Navy", says Commodore Subodh Purohit, the Commanding Officer of the Naval Air Station Ins Kunjali here.
While the squadron of Chetaks are known as Angels, Zappers are the ones who fly the British-made Seaking 4Cc known as the Marine Commando Flight. Harpoons as the name suggests, are the guys who look for submarine on Seaking 42B and attack them with missiles. Eagles are those who fly the Russian-made Kamovs.
"They are always on alert and can fly in just three minutes notice", said the Commodore, who is now busy with the preparations of the international fleet review 2000 to be held in February next year. Preparations are on for the next year’s mega event, the theme for which is "bridges of friendship".
Around 30 naval choppers will be part of the 65 aircraft taking part in the fly past on September 17, which will be reviewed by President K R Narayanan and the next day, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee will witness the international city parade on the marine drive. "The planning has to be accurate, as so many different type of aircraft will fly in a span of a few minutes", Commodore Purohit said.
During the international city parade the naval helicopters, he said will also display search and rescue operations. He adds that since the Ins Kunjali, one of the seven naval air stations of the country, came to existence, more than 150 lives have been saved thanks to these daredevils who fly these machines in extreme weather conditions.
These pilots, navigators, divers, officers and sailors on-board these wonderful flying machines have rescued many lives from the jaws of death, sometimes as so far as 200 km into the sea. Whether it is a sinking ship, cyclone-hit Kandla or Orissa or routine operational tasks — they are everready to take up any job.
The dare-devils are always ready for help - anyone, anytime. They are always prepared to take up challenging tasks and combat role. Be it a commando operation, airlift, tracing and submarine and finishing it off or search and rescue. Even daring tasks of show displaying the powress of the services.
Ins Kunjali, the Naval Air Station here, meets the helicopter missions for the Navy’s Western Naval Command (WNC). The base started operations in 1971 and operated more than 25 helicopters of various hues. Other than meeting naval tasks, the base also supports helicopter operation of indian Air Force, Army, Coast Guard and even a few civil agencies.
It will be the nerve centre of all air operations during the international fleet review. "We are fully prepared for it", says the ace pilot, who has carried out several missions. The helicopters based here fly out to warships to join on their mission, sometimes remaining at sea for months together. And when these ships return, the choppers fly back to the base for maintenance and training of crew.
Primary among these are the Seaking Mark 42BS from the house of Westland in Britain. These are known as the teeth of the Navy, forming the 330 squadron. They can hunt down submarines lurking in the deep, sink intruding warships, snoop on enemy electronic activity and become good command and control platform.
Then there are seaking 42 CS, again British-made, which carry out dangerous covert missions whith the Navy’s elite marcos, better known as Marine Commandos. It can also carry army troops and commandos during amphibious operations. They, like the 42BS do search and rescue at large distances into the sea and can even shift cargo, which may be as big as a jeep.
The Russian Kamov 28S, which also specialise in hunting down submarines, whilst flying from ships are based in Ins Kunjali. The bulk of coastal search and rescue responsibility is with the 321 Flight made up of tiny yet redoubtable Chetaks. The manned attached torpedo carrying helicopter (match), built by the HAL, can also be operated from here. In future when the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) joins, it can also operate from this base.
Angels in the sky — is the right sobriquet for the men and machines of the naval air station here. However, lest the enemy should forget, the angels could even rain death, when called upon to do so. (UNI)
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