TEJAS WILL ACHIEVE IOC BY YEAR END: BROWNE “ 81 years of our glorious history is replete with shining examples of our collective achievements. Today the Indian Air Force stands at the threshold of a new era – an era which will redefine our stature as a potent strategic force equipped with precision, networked and space enabled force capabilities. While induction of modern technology will certainly bring along greater capabilities, it will still be our pioneering spirit, capacity to embrace new technologies and our approach to adapt in the face of emerging challenges, which will remain as the abiding principles of our future growth path. We must proudly persist with this great legacy. And it is my pleasant duty, that on behalf of all the men and women of the Indian Air Force, I acknowledge with gratitude, the sterling contribution made by all our Veterans whose strength of character, vision and resilient spirit still pervades today’s Air Force. I also salute our fallen heroes – men and women – who have made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. Air Warriors, we need to continue strengthening our capabilities, enhance our vigilance levels and remain ever prepared to respond to these challenges. Do remember that the assets entrusted under our care are both expensive as well as scarce. The safety and security of these is our prime responsibility. While ensuring their physical security is important, there is also an increasing need to ensure security of our vital communication and operational information networks. The year gone by has been quite challenging, yet extremely rewarding. Our focus on the ‘Operational consolidation of warfighting skills’ as well as on sustaining our modernisation tempo dictated our actions and determined the results. While numerous operational commitments stretched our resources and brought us face to face with newer challenges, these also served as a benchmark for testing our operational resilience. That we achieved the best aerospace safety record in IAF’s history during the last financial year is indeed a glowing testimony to the competence and calibre of our motivated air warriors. Whether it was the execution of the coordinated day/night precision strike missions in front of the national leadership during ‘Ex Iron Fist’ or the sustained 24X7 operational missions undertaken during the Air Force level ‘Ex Live Wire’ in March-April this year – our proud air warriors performed with distinction. I am extremely confident that the remarkable cohesiveness displayed between our operational, maintenance and administrative echelons during these exercises will continue to grow with time and have a force multiplier effect on our future capabilities. The C-130J Special Ops aircraft and Mi-17V5 helicopter fleets have been fully operationalised. These aircraft are now actively engaged in executing important operational missions across the length and breadth of the country. While the V5 helicopters would be soon inducted to boost our air support effort for the anti-Naxal operations, the C-130J Special Ops aircraft has added significant value to our strategic airlift capability by landing at DBO, the highest ALG in the world located at 16600 feet. The induction of C-17 Globemaster at this very base last month has extended our operational flexibility manifold. We have also inducted the Pilatus PC-7 basic trainer aircraft and advanced simulators to address the contemporary training needs of our next generation air warriors. These young men and women will soon start to shoulder major responsibilities in their young careers and it is essential that their training is based on a solid foundation in the form of a world class trainer aircraft. The contract negotiations for the MMRCA aircraft and the operational clearance missions for the LCA are also progressing with the LCA achieving its IOC before this year-end. These along with the ongoing upgrade projects on the MiG-29, Mirage-2000, Jaguar and An-32 will significantly enhance our future operational potential. Complementing the expanding reach of our airborne assets in equal measure is our plan for strengthening of our Air Defence network. The integration of AWACS and the other sensors alongwith the ground based weapon systems as also the progress made in the Phase II of Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) has taken us step closer to our goal of having Network Centric Operations. As a transforming Air Force, we are extremely conscious of the future operational, technological and maintenance challenges as well as the need to factor in the fiscal realities of the day. Therefore, we must maintain our focus on achieving enhanced reliability and maintainability of all our assets. Many proactive initiatives have already been taken ranging from instituting long term spares supply and repair agreements to upgradation of our existing Base Repair Depots. Another important focus area is the upgradation of our operational infrastructure and special emphasis has also been laid towards strengthening this aspect in the North as well as North Eastern Sectors. Air Warriors, as the primary instrument of national power, IAF’s mission is to provide a wide range of sovereign options to our national leadership. We also remain deeply committed to our important nation building responsibilitie s. Our response to the massive humanitarian tragedy which struck the hills of Uttarakhand in June this year, aptly symbolises our approach to Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief commitments. Operating in a time critical and operationally demanding environment, our air warriors resolutely weathered the daily challenges and saved the lives of more than 23,000 of our distressed countrymen. ‘Op Rahat’ besides highlighting our professional competence, grit and determination also showcased the ability of our air warriors to innovate and engineer ‘out of the box’ solutions in the face of daunting odds. We are grateful to our countrymen for their appreciation of our efforts and would like to assure them that they would always find the air warriors the first to respond to any disaster relief contingency which may arise in the future. It is my firm belief that while hardware is important, ultimately it would be the ‘people’ who will convert this potential into actual employable capabilities. It is therefore, important for us to maintain a balanced perspective. Instead of mainly focussing on technology, there is a need to devote a major share of our attention to our people. As leaders of men, you invest time and effort in nurturing, grooming, mentoring and training your subordinates. Guided by the IAF’s vision and core values, work towards fostering the “air warrior spirit” and building cohesive and winning teams in your respective domains. I am confident that each one of you will take on this important task as your sacred responsibility and in this manner contribute effectively to the future growth of the IAF. Another important priority area for us is to empower and prepare our air warriors for the AF of tomorrow. Based on periodic reviews and feedback from the field units, we have developed a new Airmen Training pattern. Starting from Jan 2014, this training pattern will be implemented and would address our contemporary training needs. Besides this, special emphasis is also being placed on improving your quality of life. IAFBA has implemented many welfare schemes aimed towards fostering a sense of well-being and improving the environment in all our units/stations. In the last year itself, we have disbursed ` 367 crores as welfare loans, grants and assistance to our air warriors and their families. The Dte of Air Veterans, established last year, has been regularly addressing many long standing issues and this has helped in enhancing the sense of belongingness amongst our Veterans. We are also actively pursuing all the pending issues with regards to the Pay Commission and I have personally taken up the matter with the Government. These and many such initiatives would always continue to remain at the heart of our efforts towards improving the quality of life of our people. The Indian Air Force remains firm in its belief that ‘integrated jointness’ is the way ahead. It is also our belief that the core competence of each service, indeed, of all organs of national power must be synergised to generate the desired effect and capability. Here, I wish to assure the Army, the Navy and other security agencies of our commitment towards delivering joint capability response options in any future national contingency. The Indian Air Force is grateful for the Nation’s trust, confidence and support. On behalf of all the air warriors, I take this opportunity to assure the Nation of our sacred resolve in defending the sovereignty of our skies and safeguarding our national interests. I would also like to express my gratitude to the Ministry of Defence as also the Government of India for their unwavering support to our modernisation plans.81 years of our proud heritage has been built upon the vision, sweat and sacrifices of our veterans and the regard of our fellow citizens. Air Warriors, I am extremely happy with your achievements and complement each one of you for your outstanding performance. I feel proud and privileged to be leading such a fine group of men and women in this defining phase of our history. I urge each one of you to continue to serve with pride and always remain true to the hallowed values that the AF represents. My sincere compliments to you and your families for your service, sacrifice and commitment to the Air Force flag. In the end, I remind all the Air Warriors of our pledge and our duty – with honour and with pride. Jai Hind ! (EXCERPTS OF CAS ADDRESS ON AF DAY)
Posted on: Tue, 08 Oct 2013 13:25:09 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015