Remembrances Three – 1 / 2022 30, January, 2022

8th December 2021 : Most tragic Helicopter Accident resulted in precious loss of 14 Defense Personnel Including the first CDS of the Armed Forces (General Bipin Rawat). COI is complete an has squirrely blamed the pilot. Ruling out the possibility of technical failure or Sabotage. Was it an avoidable accident ? Yes. Only a distance of 50 Km. was to be covered time 20 minutes including taxying and take off. The hepter should have flown 2000 feet above the terrain clearance and descendent over head DSSC helipad in VMC condition only. If VMC condition were not established the hepter should have gone back to SULUR. The preflight briefing should have been attended by the COO, or the AOC. After all it was a VIP flight, The importance of preflight briefing can’t be diluted. A word about CDS’s thought process on the Air Power. He had stated one of his stated earlier “In Our Context Air Force is an extended Arm of Air borne Artillery. This is misconception in our context. Air power is dominant force to destroy the enemy’s war potential First. This was amply displayed during the 71 war. When the IAF had neutralized the war waging machinery of the Paki’s in the first three days itself. Which facilitated the Early Surrender in the East Pak. The IAF utilized all possible Air effort. (Air Craft like OTTER’s, CARIBOUS and AN-12 Air Craft Suitably modified for Bombing Role. Even the Soviets were surprised). Thought process of Theater Command. This is OK for US Forces who have global deployment, and more than 7000 combat Air Craft. Where as IAF has barely 700 Air Craft. Snippets 1- On 5th January, 2022 The PM was to address a political rally in Felozpur (Punjab) He was to have flown by a helicopter from Bhatinda to his destination. May be due to weather constraints, it was decided to move by road. Undoubtedly the PM’s security is utmost. The overall responsibility lies with the SPG. The SPG full authority to change the route and advice the PM on the alternates may be the Hon’ble PM was not willing to accept the SPG advise due to political compulsions. 70000 chairs w/s the presence of 700 was a tricky factor ?. Many more write-up on Defense & National Security issues and Happenings around the world read Go on : http://airmarshalashokgoel.blogspot.com/ JAI HIND – JAI BHARAT