IAF To Airlift Six More Cryogenic Oxygen Containers From Dubai To West Bengal Based Panagarh Air Base Today

Continuing with its efforts to bolster and augment the medical oxygen's supply chain in the nation, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to fly six more cryogenic oxygen containers from Dubai to its airbase in West Bengal's Panagarh today (27 April), reports Hindustan Times.

It should be noted that these would be in addition to the six cryogenic oxygen containers flown in by the IAF's C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft from Dubai to Panagarh yesterday (26 April).

These containers, upon arrival at Panagarh, will be filled up with oxygen and transported to different centres by rail or road.

Last week as well, IAF had airlifted four such containers from Singapore to Panagarh, apart from carrying out several domestic shuttles to ensure swift and rapid movement of oxygen across different parts of the country. It has deployed several of its aircraft for the COVID-19 relief job. These include C-17, C-130J, IL-76, An-32, Avro, Chinook and Mi-17 helicopters.

The armed forces, defence public sector undertakings and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) are all engaged in COVID-19 relief operations, helping the nation cope against the surging cases. They have set up hospitals, ramped up oxygen supply, and also airlifted medical staff and oxygen containers.