By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 20: The green waters of Umiam stood witness to the grand display of skill and precision of the Indian Air Force, as the skilled pilots took to conquer the sky.
The air display was part of the 91st anniversary celebrations of the Indian Air Force and the Headquarters of the Eastern Air Command’s Outreach initiative.
The airshow also placed a strong emphasis on showcasing indigenously built aircraft, such as the Advanced Light Helicopter (AHL) and the Dornier.
The highlight of the spectacular air show was the Sarang Helicopter Display team which had onlookers gasping at the brilliance formations in the air.
Established in October 2003, Sarang Helicopter Display team comprised of five modified AHL helicopters.
Flight Lieutenant, Pallavi Sangwan, also a part of the display team said that the Sarang Dislay Team is the only five helicopter military display team in the world.
The display team was led by Group Captain Santosh Kumar Mishra as the commanding officer, Squadron Leader Akash, Wing Commander Sreedhar, Janapriya, Wing Commander Chandan Pattanaik, Squadron Leader Abinash, Squadron Leader Karan Prabhakar, and Wing Commander Thakur Vikash Raj Singh piloting the helicopters.
Air Marshal SP Dharkar Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Air Command was the chief guest.
Speaking to media personnel, Dharkar, talking about elevation making it a challenge for the pilots stated, “The hills, the weather is temperamental, the elevation, makes it a little difficult in the performance of the aircrafts, they have to modify their profiles suitably and they have to operate in somewhat tight zone that adds to the changes they have to do to their profiles, but you saw them and how brilliantly they were at it.”