Operation Rahat
Operation Rahat (
On 16 June, following flash floods due to heavy rains, assistance was sought from the IAF for rescue operations. The Western Air Command (WAC) responded to the requests and undertook simultaneous tasks in the sectors of Yamunanagar, Kedarnath-Badrinath axis, Rudraprayag valley and the Karcham- Puh axis. Air Commodore Rajesh Isser was appointed Task Force Commander of Operation Rahat.[2]
The
By 19 June, the IAF had deployed 20 aircraft including 8 Mi-17 helicopters, 10
The second phase of the operation entailing support of long-term rehabilitation efforts in the hilly areas of Uttarakhand started on 5 July 2013.[3]
Aircraft used
43 aircraft's were used in the operation Rahat:
- 23 - Mi 17 medium twin-turbine transport helicopters.
- 11 - HAL Dhruv, indigenous light utility helicopters
- 1 - Cheetah single-engined Helicopter
- 1 - Mil Mi-26 heavy transport helicopter
- 2 - C130J military transport aircraft
- 3 - AN 32s transport aircraft
- 1 - HS-748 transport aircraft
- 1 - IL-76heavy transport aircraft
The IAF activated its advanced landing grounds in
Helicopter Crash
On 25 June, a Mi-17 V5 helicopter crashed North of Gaurikund.[6] All 20 persons on board, including 5 Air Force Officers, 9 NDRF personnel and 6 ITBP personnel, were dead.[7][8] The deceased soldiers were given a ceremonial Guard of honour by Home minister Sushilkumar Shinde at a function organised by the Uttarakhand State Government.[9] Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne, Chief of the Air Staff said "We owe it to the lives our people whom we have lost, that we sustain the mission and complete it successfully". The IAF continued to operate from Dharasu and Pithoragarh detachments flying six Mi-17 V5s, two ALH and one Mi17 from Harsil - Maneri - Dharasu and Darchula - Milam & Kali - Ramganga river axes.
See also
References
- ^ "Armed Forces Mount Massive Relief Operations in Uttarakhand and Himachal". Press Information Bureau. 19 June 2013.
- ^ a b "Rahat is the biggest rescue operation by air force helicopters: Rajesh Isser". The Times of India. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
- ^ a b "IAF now gearing up to rebuild Uttarakhand". The Times of India. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
- ^ "Operation 'Rahat' Launched by the IAF". Press Information Bureau. 18 June 2013.
- ^ "Armed Forces Continues Rescue and Relief Operations on a War Footing". Press Information Bureau. 21 June 2013.
- ^ "IAF Mi- 17 V 5 Helicopter Crash". Press Information Bureau. 25 June 2013.
- ^ "Will make sure job is done: Air Chief NAK Browne to NDTV". 26 June 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
- ^ "Uttarakhand floods: Bodies of chopper crash victims recovered". Mid-day. 26 June 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
- ^ "Bravehearts who died in Uttarakhand chopper crash given Guard of Honour". NDTV. 28 June 2013.