Guwahati: The Border Security Force entrusted with guarding the India-Bangladesh border in Assam and the rest of the Northeast has added Guwahati as its new airbase to bolster Central Armed Police Forces’ (CAPFs) air support capabilities towards troops deployment, disaster management especially flood relief and counter insurgency operation in North-East region.
The BSF (Air Wing) has taken over a hangar at new apron area of Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International (LGBI) Airport in Guwahati. This hangar and associated aerodrome facilities would enable BSF to undertake independent maintenance and flying operation of MI-17 V5 aircraft on short notice, a BSF source here informed.
This would also facilitate emergency medical evacuation of critical CAPF personnel. Ministry of Home Affairs has approved operation of three MI-V5 helicopters of Russian origin from this airbase.
The BSF has its frontier headquarter at Patgaon near Guwahati airport and development of an airbase in close proximity would enhance its operational capability manifold. Prior to this, BSF had been operating various types of aircraft from New Delhi, Ranchi, Raipur, Agartala and Srinagar.
Flying trials have already been conducted successfully from the new Guwahati airbase. This airlift facility, which is under the administrative and functional control of BSF is aimed at providing air support to all CAPFs.
This airbase is also aimed to extend support towards operations and maintenance of other aircrafts, of MHA, transiting this region.
