AOC-in-C Eastern Air Command R D Mathur Calls on BD Mishra At Raj Bhawan

Itanagar: Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of Shillong-based Eastern Air Command, Air Marshal R D Mathur on Thursday called on the Arunachal Pradesh Governor Brig (retd) Dr BD Mishra at Raj Bhawan here and discussed on the June 3 IAF AN-32 aircraft crash in the State.

They also discussed on air assistance to the State Government and its people during emergencies and other situations and scope for employment of local youth in the Indian Air Force, an official communique informed.

The Governor conveyed to the AOC-in-C, his deep condolences for the bereaved families of the air force officers and personnel who lost their life in duty in the recent aircraft crash.

“The people of Arunachal Pradesh share the pain of the irreparable loss and will always remember the sacrifices of the air warriors,” the Governor said.

Mishra also conveyed his appreciation to the Eastern Air Command for its help in recently concluded Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections and the proactive role played by the Command in providing assistance to the people of the State during emergencies and call of duty. The Governor, who has been spear heading the effort for the employment of local youth in the Indian Armed Forces through his programmes like ‘Pay back to Society Group’, asked the AOC to explore the possibility for an enhanced quota of recruitment for the youth of the State. The AOC welcomed the concerns of the governor and assured him that the Eastern Air Command would do its best in the service of the people of the frontier State, the communique added.

The AOC also called on Chief Minister Pema Khandu and expressed gratitude to the state government for support and assistance extended to the IAF in search and rescue operations after the unfortunate crash of an AN-32 aircraft in the hills of Shi-Yomi district, another release informed.

The AOC said only with active support and cooperation of the State Government through its district administrations and local people the daunting task could be completed.

He said unfortunately airlifting of the rescuers, which included local mountaineer Taka Tamut, was delayed due to inclement weather and they had to camp in the mountains for almost 11 days.

The Air Marshal however informed that enough ration was airdropped for the rescue team to survive another 15 days.

As an expression of gratitude, Mathur said that IAF would suitably honour the local persons who helped the force in the mission.

Khandu offered condolences to the departed personnel aboard the ill-fated aircraft and assured cooperation and support to the armed forces when in need. He also assured that local mountaineer Taka Tamut would be suitably honoured by the state government too.

Mathur and the chief minister also discussed various issues particularly on acquisition of land by IAF for defence purposes.

Acquisition of land for firing range in East Kameng district and for strategic installations in Shi-Yomi and Tawang districts were discussed in detail. The IAF also offered to construct high-rise boundary wall around the firing range at Dollungmukh so that splinters do not go out and animals or people do not come in.

Khandu requested the IAF to take the local administration into confidence and alert in advance with regard to firing exercises by IAF at Dollungmukh, the release added.

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