Address at Air Force Station, Thoise

Angels of Mountain warfare

I am delighted to be with you in this beautiful Himalayan environment amidst snow-capped mountains and two beautiful rivers Shyok and its tributary Nubra. I greet the officers, warrant officers, airmen and other personnel for their excellent performance in providing operational support to the troops in Siachen sector. I realize that I am addressing the personnel at the highest altitude Air Force base of geo-strategic importance to the nation. I understand that this Air Force station was formed in 1960 at an altitude of 3000 meters and was initially constructed by the local population using improvised materials like wooden rollers. The first landing was carried out by Air Vice Marshal Pinto and Sqn. Ldr. CKS Raje in a Dakota aircraft. From that situation, we have come a long way, and now you are working to extend the airfield, which will enable the landing of fighter aircraft. I would urge early completion of the extension of the runway with associated facilities, so that we can see the landings and take offs of high performance fighter aircraft by 2005.

Force multipliers

I am sure, the fighter aircraft deployment at Thoise Air Force base with the modern weaponry, electronic warfare systems will bring forth new dimensions in the modern mountain warfare. Also the helicopters and certain other types of aircraft have to be mounted with Ground Penetration Radars and Synthetic Aperture Radars for enabling detection of crevasses and photography penetrating the clouds for the safe movement of Jawans on patrol. High altitude UAV systems need to be added with appropriate sensors for reconnaissance operations.

Integrated Warfare

Future warfare is an integrated warfare of Army and Air Force. This has come out very clearly during the Kargil operations. Timely deployment of Air Force was one of the key reasons for early decisive success in that operation. I congratulate the Air Force team for the remarkable combat performance during the Kargil Operations. I am sure similar contribution you are providing apart from the present logistic services to the Siachen sector.

Surveillance Support in mountains

I realize the most important aspects in the mountain warfare are timely reconnaissance both long term and short term. In high altitude environment when the sky is cloudy throughout the year, reconnaissance satellites using conventional remote sensing cameras cannot provide data at all times.

India has access to Remote sensing satellites with synthetic aperture radars. This, I am sure along with your Air Force sorties should provide timely information about the unusual movements of the adversary. Also, it is essential that the high payload capability helicopters of our Air force, all of them should be serviceable and available at all time. I have myself used these helicopters for transporting large solid propulsion rocket motors to the test range.

Integrated Helicopter Plan

You have drawn a good helicopter plan for providing logistic support and fast evacuation of casualties through the combined use of MI17, ALH and Cheetal helicopter depending upon the range capabilities. I think that there may be a need to increase the number of ALH deployed in this sector for improving the reaction time of casualty evacuation. Also it will be useful to improve the High Altitude Capability of ALH, so that Air Force need not handle too many types of aircraft in this region. Among the 3 types of helicopters deployed for varied altitudes, at least one or two types of helicopters have to be transformed into an ambulance helicopter for day and night evacuation of soldiers with injury, high altitude sickness and frostbite to the base camp or the command hospital.

Operational readiness

When I see you all in your uniform you look very smart, you look combat ready and you look confident to face any situation and win. I am fully aware of the inhospitable environment in which you have been operating and carrying out your duties meticulously to support the army operations in this sector. The flight safety records in Siachen sector are excellent. It is essential to continuously modernize the equipment and add force multipliers to enhance the operational performance.

It is recognized that this Air Force base has taken active part in launching of many offensive operations such as Operation Rajiv, Operation Vajra Shakthi, Operation Ibex and Operation Trishul Sakthi. You have provided proactive support to the army in all these operations for ensuring success of these missions. My Greetings to you.

Conclusion

I am confident that you will continue the tradition of your success and valour in all your future operations. The entire nation is with you and leads you to modernize and force multiply all your aerial platforms and ground support systems, so that you will excel in the aerial mountain warfare. Air Force is indeed the angels for our mountain troops.

I wish you and your families living in far away places success.

May God Bless You.