Remembrances Four – 2 / 2022 23 rd February 2022

Since This is The Time of Heavy Elections Fever Hence Some of the Events - ‘What is Happening Around the Country’ : A- Politics appears to be at its lowest ebb. Come what may ‘We have to stay in Power’. B- Rajdeep Sardesai (of India Today) in GOA. “Beautiful Country side what poorest class of politicians. You never know who will change the colours when “?” (This reflect the old Haryana type of politics – AAYA RAM – GAYA RAM). C- PM speech in Parliament on 7th Feb. – was SATIRICAL / RIDICULING. Many generation of Nehru & Indira. It has to be appreciated that what actions Indira Ji took in Punjab that saved the Unity and Sovereignty of the country at the cost of her life. D- The PM Sir ridiculed the oppositions in instigating the migrants to leave the places there work the people only helped the migrants wherever it was possible. E- Are we changing from LOKTANTRA to VOTETANTRA. The tone and tenor is becoming more & more poisonous day by day. Would we become wiser some time ? 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

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

Remembrances Two – 12 / 2021 02 January 2022

A Happy New Year 2022 To All 1962 – Indo-China War : Post 1962 operations China Study Group was established to asses the short falls in the North-East. Primarily the Road Communications. Mainly whole of North East was fed by aerial air maintenance. Initially the task was assigned to Kalinga Airways of Biju Patnayak. All the villages of Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh were Air Maintained. The task for the Air Force was nearly 155000 tons per month. Slowly the task got tapered down to 5000 tons a month. This was due to improved conditions in the north east. Those who say no development have done since independence need to look into the records. 1965 Indo – Pak War : As the war situation had receded this was a time for War Damage Assessment. At Pathankot one of the unserviceable packet Aircraft was damaged. A Parliamentary delegation visited the station. Their visit was planned to No- 12 sqn. dispersal. They were to be briefed; the task was assigned to Tikkoo – a technical officer of the sqn. . All other aircrews were around. Tikkoo started the briefing “I am Pilot Officer Tikkoo all others standing are pilots”. 1971 Libration of Bangladesh War: Very recently some political opportunist have penned down some articles to show Sam Maneck Shaw in a bit of lower heights. Just to highlight IG. It is stated without doubt that both were great leaders one politically and other one militarily. Snippets 1- Capt. Amarinder Singh you have proved a disgress to NDA / Army and now to ESM fraternity in totality. You proved to be a good leader for Punjab, but there is always time to hang your boots. 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

Remembrances One – 11 / 2021 28, November, 2021

1965 – Indo Pak War : No. – 12 Squadron (Packets) Was Located at Pathankot to under take air maintenance in Ladakh area. Since first weak of September the war clouds were gathering. Two rehearsals for move of the sqn. had been undertaken. Both were recalled an cancelled. It was on 6 Setember 1965 the first fighter attack was launched. This comprised of Tofanis, Mysteres and Vampires, out of these 18 air craft package six did not come back. No.-12 Sqn. was asked to move out, since Air Hq. din’t not know where to send the Sqn. The Squadron was directed to move to Palam. No accommodation, No Transport, most of the personnel stayed on the aircraft it self. The sleeping platform was the top of packet air craft. The food was picked up from near by Food Dhaba’s. Aft 3 days No.-12 Sqn. was moved to Bareilly. Nearly Five in a room but the psyche was such that every body enjoyed next 7 months stay at Bareilly (U.P.). 1971 – The Bangladesh War : It was a matter of Pride for a Transport Squadron to be well trend for Bombing Operation’s. That pride was with the no. – 44 Squadron. The Squadron was under the most able command of Wing Commander V. B. Vashisht. The squadron was I located at Bareilly again. The task was to carryout Carpet Bombing in Western and Eastern Sector. Nearly Six Air Craft formations used to Take of during nights of the period 1971 War (03 December, 1971 to 16 December, 1971). This meticulous task was accomplished by most professional Air Crews of No-44 Squadron (An-12 Sqn.). It is a matter of pride that squadron earned One MVC, Three VrC and many more gallantry awards. When Russians were told of this happening at Military Academy at IVANOVA (USSR) during the IL – 76 training program they were highly surprised. 1987 – Operation Brass Tacks : General Sundarjee was the army chief at that time. He was a war savvy General. No-44 Squadron (Now IL-76 ) was position at NNP. In the third week of January 1987 I was summoned Air HQ. by the ACAS Ops. The task was to air lift BMP’s from Chandigarh to Thoise. The Thoise runway at that time was only 1750 meters. Even in the plains. IL-76 Ops. were cleared for runway length of 2000 meters. I made a trip from Leh to thoise in a MI-17 and discussed our proposed plan with the station commander who was group captain Sandhu. A touch down point was marked at the beginning of the landing dumbbell. The touch down was to be with-in +- 5 meters of this marking . At Chandigarh 2 Air craft were earmarked to undertake minimum of 4 sorties per day. The whole operation of 24 sorties was accomplished between 29th January, 1987 till 02nd February 1987. My co-pilots were Chacha Sahani, V.K. Sahani and Shrivastava. All details are taken from my personal Log Book. The First Day when we landed at thoise, The then Army Commander Northen Commander General Handoo walked in with a Cup-of-Tea and a Samosa. Hugged me in the cockpit and said “Ashok U have done a Yeomen Service to Indian Army”. Ground time at thoise was only 7 minutes. Snippets 1- Great Happening at Gurgaon. The state Govt. has earmarked certain open places for Muslims to offer Namaaz on Friday’s. This was resisted by ultra Hindu Organizations. A Guru Dwara Granthi invited the Molvi Sahab and offered him Complete Guru Dwara for Muslims to offer there Namaaz. Not only that a Businessman Yadav offered his Workshop and Big House for the same. A True reflection of brotherhood. That is what India we all would like to see. 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

Political Turmoil – 10 / 2021 31, October, 2021

1. Political Turmoil – 10 / 2021 US is an Undependable Ally – Headlines of an Article by Ankshlewar Iyer in TOI Dated 29 August – 2021 A FACTUAL COMMENT : Post 1962 (Indo China Conflict) US Govt. made promises to India providing fighters (F-86 Sabre Jet’s, and F-104 Star Fighters) Modern Tanks and Artillery. US Govt. made promises to India and equipped PAKI’s with all these. Which PAKI’s used in 1965 war against India. US provided India only DGS (Directrate General of Security). It was having 3 wings : (a) – Special Frontier Force (SFF). Objective was to train paratroopers, mostly exiled Tibetan’s (based at Chakrata). (b) – Aviation Research Centre (ARC) based at Charbatia in Orissa near Cuttak. Property donated by Biju Patnaik (An aviator himself). (c) – Special Service Bureau (SSB) to buildup a force along the Indo-China Border & rehabilitate exiled Tibetan’s. Who will provide a force to supplement external forces. The objective of this buildup was to capture Tibet by para operations US also provided 20K Parachutes and sum C-46 Aircraft. This remained a dream only. What the US succeeded was to establish to bases in CHARBATIA and DOOMDOOMA in far East. These bases were established to monitor China’s Missile program. (Testing and Development). Though two bases were for the uses of ARC personal but they were kept away and the CIA personal were the most active users of these facilities. The organization change their role from time to time. Finely the DGS turned into R&AW, in the year 1968. An organization (R&AW) turned into a great int organization due to there dynamic leaders – Mahajan, Billy Bedi, and at highest level Moitra, Arvind Dave and last AS Dulat. A salute to all Raw Personnel and Specially to all ARC Persnnel. Snippets 1- 24th October INDO-PAK T-20 Match reasons by PAK dominated on India (a) - Winning the Toss. (b) – Immaculate Fielding (c) - Highly Disciplined and Accurate Bowling (c) – Determination to Win (d) – No Media Hype. Congrats to PAKI’s. 2- Aryan Khan in Jail for 28 Days. What it appear to be a planed, Targeted actions by the NCB. It appear as some kind of Vengeance. Special Note : All this can be and brought under SEDITIOM LAW 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

Political Turmoil – 09 / 2021 19 September 2021

AFGANISTAN – 2021 Americans came to fight terrorism and eliminate terrorism. This was as a fallout of 9/11, where nearly 5 aircraft (Commercial Airliners were High jacked) and flew directly into high-rise buildings, Killing more than 3000 Americans. The US Govt. was infurious and started its operations on 7th October 2001 it is irony that America displaced Talibani’s and handed over by leaving to same people that is Talibani’s. Now the Talibani are in a much stronger position then before. They have an arsenal of American Fire Arms Air Craft an many other related equipment to cause havoc around India’s threats are (a)- ISIS, ALQUAEDA (b)- JAISHE-A-MOHAMAD of Masood Azhar (c)- ISI of Pak. And we have no friendly country around us. That includes Afganistan, Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bangala Desh, Mynamar, Sri Lanka and even Bhutan or Male. We are in a state no friends to supports in this scenario. The present Taliban Govt. represents absolute no cordiality, there is in fighting with in different groups. The Taliban Govt. consist of nearly 33 Terrorist. (This should not surprise us since we have large number of criminals in our elected bodies, whether Parliament or Assemblies.) Snippets 1- Lesson for India from Af retreat: US is an undependable ally. (We should not for get how US Administration promised us after 1962 and They Kept on equipping Pakistan – (there is lot on this subject which will be discussed at a letter date) - says Swaminathan Aiyar, TOI dated : 29 Aug. 2021. 2- US Anti-Terror Drones Won’t Deliver Bang for Buck – says DS Hudda, TOI dated : 30th Aug. 2021. 3- India, Don’t Forget Afghans – as Kabul gets a new regine, GoI must maintain people contact and not squander hard-won goodwill says- Jayant Prashad, TOI dated : 01 Sep. 2021 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

Political Turmoil – 09 / 2021 18 September 2021

AFGANISTAN – 2021 Americans came to fight terrorism and eliminate terrorism. This was as a fallout of 9/11, where nearly 5 aircraft (Commercial Airliners were High jacked) and flew directly into high-rise buildings, Killing more than 3000 Americans. The US Govt. was infurious and started its operations on 7th October 2001 it is irony that America displaced Talibani’s and handed over by leaving to same people that is Talibani’s. Now the Talibani are in a much stronger position then before. They have an arsenal of American Fire Arms Air Craft an many other related equipment to cause havoc around India’s threats are (a)- ISIS, ALQUAEDA (b)- JAISHE-A-MOHAMAD of Masood Azhar (c)- ISI of Pak. And we have no friendly country around us. That includes Afganistan, Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bangala Desh, Mynamar, Sri Lanka and even Bhutan or Male. We are in a state no friends to supports in this scenario. The present Taliban Govt. represents absolute no cordiality, there is in fighting with in different groups. The Taliban Govt. consist of nearly 33 Terrorist. (This should not surprise us since we have large number of criminals in our elected bodies, whether Parliament or Assemblies.) Snippets 1- Lesson for India from Af retreat: US is an undependable ally. (We should not for get how US Administration promised us after 1962 and They Kept on equipping Pakistan – (there is lot on this subject which will be discussed at a letter date) - says Swaminathan Aiyar, TOI dated : 29 Aug. 2021. 2- US Anti-Terror Drones Won’t Deliver Bang for Buck – says DS Hudda, TOI dated : 30th Aug. 2021. 3- India, Don’t Forget Afghans – as Kabul gets a new regine, GoI must maintain people contact and not squander hard-won goodwill says- Jayant Prashad, TOI dated : 01 Sep. 2021 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