Met office has predicted grey skies and overcast weather
conditions casting a cloud over India’s biggest ever Air Show on the Marina
beach front on Sunday.
But the weathergods showed mercy. Near clear skies paved the way for a spectacular
display of air show witnessed by a record 15 lakh people which will etch IAF’s name
in the Limca Book of Records.
People from various parts of the city and other districts started flocking the beach
front right from the morning to witness the show and the flypasts which were named
in Tamil that included the epic Sangam era, King Cheran, Chozhan and Pandiyan
and after late President A P J Abdul Kalam.
Earlier, as a prelude to the Air show, the IAF organised a brief fly past parade
and displayed its weaponary that included various types of aircraft and helicopters
at the IAF Air base in suburban Tambaram last evening in which tens and hundreds
of people had a glimpse of the IAF’s military strength.
A total of 72 aircraft including functional and vintage jets and transport aircraft and
helicopters took part in the grand display of the IAF’s prowess in Chennai
skies as the vast coastline provided fitting picturesque backdrop to the fly past by
LCAs, Rafales, Sukhoi-M30 and display teams by Sarang and other units of the
leading military outfit.
Police have made elaborate security arrangements for the benefit of public and
made traffic diversions and changes on the arterial beach road as a record 15 lakh
thronged the World’s second largest beach to witness the grand that showcased the
IAF’s full military might.
Giant speakers were installed all along the stretch to enable the public to listen to
the live commentary.
Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi, could not attend the event as he was out of
station, and Chief Minister M K Stalin was on stage and witnessed the three
hour long spectacle, that returned to the city after 2003, when 13 lakh people
had witnessed it.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who was expected to participate in the Air show,
being held in Chennai after a gap of 21 years, could not attend, Defence sources
told UNI.
However, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan and newly appointed Chief of
Air Staff Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh participated in the event on the sands of
the Marina where the public occupied every spot and witnessed the grand event.
Amid a sea of humanity, people carrying umbrellas in a bid to safeguard themselves
from possible rains and the blazing sun, the sky high show began with Akash Ganga
team members descending on the sands in parachutes.
The IAF showcased its might in the skies during the grand air show as part of the
three-day programmes organised to commemorate its 92nd anniversary that would
conclude with an IAF parade at the Tambaram Air Force Station on October 8.
This year’s event is based on theme “Bhartiya Vayu Sena-Saksham, Sashakt,
Atmanirbhar (Potent, Powerful, and Self-Reliant), highlighting the lAF’s unwavering
commitment to safeguarding the nation’s airspace.
The people of Chennai were awestruck over the thrilling spectacle on the day, with
72 aircraft from the lAF prformed mesmerizing aerobatic manoeuvres and synchronized
formation flying.
The air show featured performances by the lAF’s elite teams Akash Ganga, renowned
for their skydiving prowess, the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team, famed for their close formation
aerobatics, and the Sarang Helicopter Display Team, known for their stunning aerial
choreography.
Besides these acclaimed teams, lAF showcased flypast and aerial displays by a wide
range of aircraft from its inventory, including the nation’s pride, the indigenously
manufactured state-of-the art Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, Rafale, Sukhoi-30 Mk-I, Light
Combat Helicopter Prachand and Heritage aircraft like Dakota and Harvard will take part.
The event turned out to be an unforgettable experience for the public and once in a lifetime
opportunity as IAF showcased not only India’s military aviation excellence, but also the
strength and capabilities of lAF, and its role in protecting the nation’s skies.
The air show also saw women officers showcasing their skills both on air and on land.
An inspiring and trailblazing journey that began in 1992 when the IAF created history by
becoming the first of three services to open its doors for Women Officers for the first time
and later started training them as Fighter Pilots from 2015, is still continuing.
The event started with the arrival of top IAF officers at the venue and after a brief
interaction with the dignataries, the event began with a flypast by 04xChetak Dhwaj
in inverted ‘Y’ trooping with National and IAF flags.
It was followed by a Puyal formation flypast by Rafl hbigh subsonic run and
Sangam formation flypast by three LHCs, chera Formation by Akota and two
PC-7s and Pallava Formation by Harvard Single Ac Mano.
This was followed by Kalam Formation flypast by HTT-40 Mano in front of the
grand stand and it was further punctuated with Kavery (DO-228), Kanchi (MIG-29s),
Natraj (M-2000) and Dhanush formations by Rafales.
Then three Jaguars performed Nilgiris formation before Tejas entered the skies
for Kartikeya formation flypast and three Su-30 MKIs forming Marina format, the
highlight of the day’s show.
After Chola and Pandiyan Formations, then came the Sarang, Mahabli and
Suryakiran formations by nine Hawks that marked the culmination of the grand
show.
After this the Chief Minister left the venue and was seen off by the top IAF officials
and the CDS.
After a day’s break on Monday, there were will be IAF parade display at Air Force
Station Tambaram on Tuesday that would mark the end of the three-day festivities.
When contacted again, defence sources said Mr Rajnath might come up for the
valedictory on Tuesday, though an official confirmation is awaited.
