IAF Operates Sukhoi Su-30 From Four Civilian Airports In North-East As Part Of Two-Phase Training Drill

In a bid to prepare its fighter jets for conducting operations from different locations during tense situation on the border, the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Wednesday (16 October) operated its combat planes from four civilian airports in the eastern and North-Eastern part of the country as part of two-phase training exercise, reports Hindustan Times.

According to the report, in the first phase of the exercise from 16 to 19 October, the IAF will operate its frontline fighter Sukhoi Su-30 MKI from from Dimapur, Imphal, Guwahati and Kolkata airports.

In the second phase from 29 October to 1 November, the IAF will cover the airports at Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh and Andal in West Bengal.

Besides Sukhoi Su-30s, the Hawk advanced jet trainers will also participate in the exercise being conducted by the Shillong-based Eastern Air Command of the IAF.

“The exercise will familiarise the IAF crew with the procedure of flying from these busy airfields and coordinate with their civilian counterparts. It will also help familiarise the civilian functionaries at these airfields with the conduct of military operations,” an IAF spokesperson said.

The IAF has Su-30 bases at Chabua and Tezpur in Assam, while the Hawks are based at Kalaikunda in West Bengal.