OREANDA-NEWS. The recently concluded assembly elections in the states of Jharkhand and J&K saw the Indian Air Force play a key role in furtherance of the democratic process.  The fleet of helicopters comprising Mi 17 V5, ALH and Cheetah were extensively used to ferry electoral staff, security forces and EVMs to far flung locations in both the states. In the state of J&K, helicopter operations involved operating from 25 helipads at altitudes varying from 6000 to 14000 Ft whilst in Jharkhand, the operations involved flying over naxal infested areas, and therefore fire from the ground was an obvious concern.

A summary of the air effort carried out by the helicopter fleet of IAF is as shown:-

Sorties

Hours Flown

Passengers

Load (in Kgs)

J&K

250

160

1246

900

Jharkhand

302

156

1073

7100

TOTAL

552

316

2319

8000

 

The IAF is proud of its contribution in helping the Government take forward the democratic process in the states of J&K and Jharkhand.