Nagpur News: An Air Show was organized by the Maintenance Command of Indian Air Force (IAF) at Sonegaon Airbase in the city October 31st, 2013.
The show began with the students of the local Bhonsla Military school band playing bagpipes and drums. They displayed beautiful and harmonious musical compositions. This was followed by the Air Force band that played some patriotic numbers and a number from Hindi movie.
What followed was an impressive air show by advance light helicopters which was performed as part of the 81st anniversary celebration of the Indian Air Force (IAF) here today. Led by Wing Commander Ravi Pathak, the team carried out a sequence of manoeuvres and different formations and criss cross flying, sending the crowd cheering at the Air Force station in Sonegaon here. The Sarang team was led by Wing Comander Ravi Pathak of Nagpur
There was a display of remote controlled aerobatics by aero models show flown by local aviation enthusiasts presented by Zubin Khambata and Fali Buxy & NCC Cadets. Miniature planes like spitfires, gliders etc.
A special demonstration that included commandoes dropped down by two Mi-17 V5S and a display of the covert operation of the apprehension of terrorists.
The display of IAF’s work horse HS-748 AVRO aircraft captained by Wg Cdr Vishal Gupta flying past the guests was breathtaking indeed.
The Akash Ganga skydiving teams showed pilots jumping down from 9000 kilometers from the sky and making a perfect landing. The Akash Ganga team was led by Sqn Ldr Makeshwar
The IAF assets that were on Static display were C-130 J Hercules Aircraft, Advance Light Helicopter, AVRO, AN-32, Cheetak, MI-17V5 Helicopters and some of IAF’s armaments were on display at the Sonegaon Airbase.
Air Marshal P Kanakaraj, AOC-in-C, Maintenance Command and Air Commodore SW Gosewade, Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station Sonegaon alongwith their families enjoying the Air Show at Nagpur
The organizing team for the Nagpur Air show was led by Group Captain AK Chourasia and Wing Comander Atul Gavandi. The Sarang team was led by Wing Comanderr Ravi Pathak of Nagpur
Air Commodore SW Gosewade of Sonegaon Air-base received the guests. The guests and dignitaries included Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Maintenance Command Air Marshal P Kanakaraj, Usha Kanakraj, Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Darda, Minister of Food and Civil Supplies Anil Deshmukh.Air Marshal Sukhchain Singh the Senior Maintenance Staff Officer, Air Vice Marshal VS Bharti and Air Vice Marshal JV Singh.
While speaking to the media, Air Marshal Kanakraj AVSM, VSM said that the aim of the display is to enhance public awareness of the capability of the IAF and instill a feeling of pride and security in the hearts and minds of the viewers. He added that they wanted to do the show since a lot of IAF officials come from the city. The air show is expected to motivate a large number of young aspirants of the Orange City to pursue a career in the Indian Air Force. He also talked about the assembling
Of Mi-17 V5S Helicopters. He said that at the moment they are able to assemble 40-50 helicopters. They will soon be able to achieve more. He wished the media and the citizens a very Happy Diwali and bid farewell.
The entire programme had a live commentary by Wing Commander Ashok Mote (Retd) and Hemlata Mishra
– Pics by Ravikant Kamble
