19.9.09

Somewhere along the LAC....

In a first, IAF landed an AN-32 transport aircraft at Nyoma Advanced Landing Ground in eastern Ladakh, 23km from the Line of Actual Control with China. The AN-32 aircraft, flown by Shaurya Chakra awardee Group Captain S C Chafekar, carried Western Air Command chief Air Marshal NAK Browne and Northern Army Commander Lt Gen P C Bhardwaj, said Col D K Kochari, PRO, Northern Command. Nyoma ALG, at an altitude of 13,000 feet, is the third airfield operationalized by IAF in Ladakh in the last 17 months. It had opened an ALG at Daulat-Beg-Oldie (DBO), the world’s highest airfield at 16,200 feet, in May 2008. The second ALD was opened at Fuk Che in November 2008. Col Kochari said, ‘‘After deliberating on all aspects and with the help of reconnaissance, it was concluded that Nyoma could be developed for fixed-wing operations as well,’’ and added, ‘‘The Herculean task of developing ALG to required standards for fixed wing operations was undertaken by Engineer Regiments of 14 Corps.’’ The joint development of Nyoma by IAF and Army in extreme weather conditions is another step towards enhanced coordination between the two services. Nyoma’s development would also ensure that movement in the area continues when road traffic gets affected during the harsh winters. It will also enable improved communication network in the region, facilitating economical ferrying of supplies as well as promotion of tourism.

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