2ND GARUDA Excercise IAF

Ex GARUDA II was conducted between 15th to the 30th of June, 2005, at the Istres Airbase in France. It was the first time that the Indian Air Force took part in an air exercise in Europe and especially, the first time that it deployed its Sukhoi 30K out of its borders. The only known previous deployment was of the Jaguar Fighter bombers in the USAF exercises in Alaska dubbed Operation Cope Thunder in 2004.GARUDA II is the second in series of the joint exercises between the Indian Air Force and French Air Force. GARUDA I was undertaken in February 2003 at the Indian Air Base of Gwalior, when four Mirage 2000 RDI from the Canbric airbase consituted the French participation.The Indian detachment in GARUDA II consisted of six Sukhoi-30K from the No.24 Squadron, Indian Air Force, "Hawks" based in Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, roughly a 100km away from the India-Nepal Border. The Air to Air refuelling component was provided by two Illyushin Il-78MKI "Midas" of the No.78 Mid Air Refuelling Squadron from Agra Air Force base.The Sukhois left for Bareilly taking off for the Indian base at Jamnagar on the western Indian coast on June 9th. From Jamnagar, the aircraft departed on June 12th for Jyanklis, in Egypt.This six hour flight involved infight refuelling along the way. The aircraft took off and reached Istres on the 15th. In addition to the Illyushin 78 Refueller, an additional Illyushin 76 cargo aircraft accompanied the detachment carrying the ground support crew and equipment. The Indian detachment was led by Group Captain Shreesh Mohan.The French detachment consisted of five Mirage 2000B and a Mirage 2000C of the E.C. 2/5 "Island of Orange France". These were soon joined by three Mirage 2000-5 of the 1 /2 "Storks" of Dijon during second half of the exercise. The Air Force had also ensured the participation of a supply craft C135 Fr of the ERV 93, of a E-3F AWACS of 36ème EDCA, several Mirage 2000N of the 3 /4 "the Limousin" and of two Tucano of the Division of Flights of Living room of Provence.Exercise GARUDA II made it possible for the Indian airmen to familiarise themselves with the procedures and activity of a major NATO airforce. Since the exercise was held according to the procedures of NATTO, it was a new experience for the Indians. The Indians were particularly curious to find out how thier existing know how would perform in an environment with which they were not familiar.

Channel: Howto & Style
Uploaded: November 7, 2006 at 11:06 am
Author: vishv

Length: 02:56
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