Chennai, Oct 7 (UNI) Due to the looming effects of global warming, weather patterns are changing dramatically resulting in greater unpredictability and severity of natural disasters.
And the Indian Air Force (IAF) always stands as a pillar of strength and a beacon of hope for the people of the country.
Amid this challenging scenario, the IAF has established itself as a vital and reliable pillar of support toward extending Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).
Rapid response has always made the difference between life and death. The IAF has consistently demonstrated its capability and commitment for aiding those in need in such situations, a statement issued by the Defence Ministry to mark the IAF’s 92nd anniversary said, recollecting the vast efforts made by it in times of disasters and natural calamities.
It said “the IAF’s primary mission has always been focused on defending the sovereignty of our skies. However, during calamities over the past few decades, the IAF had been undertaking and leading significant HADR operations.”
Some of the notable operations undertaken by the IAF are during the 2001 Gujarat Earthquake, 2004 Tsunami, 2013 Uttarakhand floods, 2014 Kashmir floods, 2015 Chennai floods, 2018 Kerala floods and most recently during the 2024 Vijayawada floods, it said.
The mind boggling statistics notched up by the IAF during each of these operations is ample testimony to its agility and responsiveness.
Besides rendering much needed succour during natural calamities in the domestic front, the IAF remains the key player during the international rescue operations undertaken by the government, be it bringing back the stranded Indians from crisis hit places or extending humanitarian assistance to the nations facing the crisis.
Operation Ganga, Operation Maitri, Operation Sankat Mochan, Operation Rahat are few of the many such daring operations wherein the IAF was actively involved.
The IAF is equipped with a wide range of aircraft that are adaptable to suit the requirements of HADR operations.
Transport aircraft like the C-17, C-130 and An-32 can carry substantial load comprising of relief material, while versatile helicopters like the Chetak, Cheetah, Mi-17, Mi-17 1V, Mi-17 V5, Chinook and the indigenous ALH can access remote and difficult terrains, thereby delivering aid and rescuing people from inaccessible regions.
The exemplary commitment exhibited by the IAF towards humanitarian missions underscores the importance of modern military forces in global disaster response.
The IAF continues to stand as a pillar of strength and a beacon of hope for the entire nation during HADR operations providing critical support to the people in times of crisis.
Time and again the men and women in blue have proven their ability to take calculated risks often at great personal cost in order to help their fellow citizens, thereby living up to the IAF’s mission statement of ‘People First, Mission Always’.
On the occasion of 92nd anniversary of Indian Air Force the men and women in blue uniform again take a vow to defend the skies and support the citizens during difficult times.
