Daulat Beg Oldi is adjacent to the Chip Chap river and lies 8 km south and 9 km west of the LAC with China, making it strategically important for India.
IAF’s search and rescue teams are in urgent need of modernisation. A nationwide integrated civil/military system with a centralised structure is the way out.
Weak governance, corruption and poverty continue to define tribal life in India. The introduction of industrial and mining projects has benefited contractors, politicians and officials more than Adivasis.
Clean energy is “no longer the sideshow, it is the show”, BVR Subrahmanyam told the Odisha summit, warning India to lead the global shift or risk others’ tech dominance.
Dubai airshow crash & pilot death have rekindled concerns over pilot safety, and need for smarter automated systems that can step in when G-forces, temporary loss of consciousness hit the pilot.
None of Pakistan’s PMs has lasted 5 years. That the current PM has given Asim Munir 5 years shows that of all military dictatorships history has seen, Pakistan’s is most creative.
My dad late airmarshal cks raje then sq leader did the first landing at DBO way back in 1962 it was same chinese problem same unprepared airstrip and the plane was a Fairchild Packet..specially modified by HAL . On his return take off there was unexpected load of injured jawans to be evacuated so it was touch and go…as the plane could not get sufficient lift in the rarefied thin air dad decided to go over the edge of the runway and dive into the valley below and that created the lift needed to fly out…its what you would see in movies but it worked and all subsequent landings he and others made at DBO used this dangerous but working tactic…that is the spirit of IAF
CONGRATULATIONS to Our Airforce and Ground Staffs for Landing at DBO in such a inhospitable Condition and also the Commander of the AN32. We are always with You.
Wow! That is indeed history in the making! And, yes it makes us proud, to have the best people in the military, air force and navy. Here I want add that having an airstrip at DBO is of the greatest strategic importance and a deterrent for those trying to sneak into our territory.
Suryaknt,what aproud and satisfying moment it must have for you and the squadron boys. You once again proved that nothing is impossible for highly professional , competent and daring air crew of the I A F.
Proud of you and your team.
Kudos to you and the crew. Were you not the Captain of the An-32 which strayed into PoK ?Was Air Mshl Jimmy Bhatia on board? I understand you received a hit from a Stinger missile and recovered the aircraft.
The indifatigable spirit and self-belief of a leader and the humility to stay grounded, appreciate the wider team and the enterprise to seek opportunities in challanges. Well done Commander ! The legacy continues.
Two main takeaways for readers – (a) you conceived and proposed this plan and then (b) flew the aircraft yourself into DBO for this historic landing. Both of them require guts and exhibit finest examples of Military leadership – leading from the front.
Ofcourse, we appreciate Air Mshl Barbora approving your plan – shows the TRUST he had in your leadership and professional skills. Another fine military trait.
Air Warriors in true spirit.!
Magnificent job and inspiring leadership.
Kudos to Jawans & other personnel who contributed for preparation of air field.
U all are real HERO of INDIA !!
We are proud of u Sir!
Sir, really a great feat.you and your team and the army personnel are to be appreciated for making the airfield an usable one. Such acts of valor to be included in the syllabus of high school students.
Interesting and warm write-up by AVM Suryakant Chafekar for trial landing of AN 32 on DBO on 31 May 2008 that every soldier must read who have served along Sino- Indian/ Indo-Pak borders. IAF piolets are thoroughly professional, daring courageous with unique sense to devotion to duty.
Even a naive like me can co-relate the kind of experience needed to know the terrain and expertise to perform this critical operations . Hart’s of to IAF AND ITS TEAM.
I was an observer operater of Air OP Flt upto 1978,in 1971 flown with Major Agnihotri of 15 AOP Flt at Poolgaon near Dinajpur Bangladesh,then transferred to APS and in 1982 had chance work as Army Postmaster near siacion Glacier,where army mail transported through AOP flt to chongsaly,Fukchi for Tps .that time choper comporatbly used for mail, evacuation wounded soldiers to base then Leh.it was tremendous job of AN 32 pilot landed there.well done. In 1970 when I undergone flying training at
Nasik , flown with Capt AN Bharadwaj then he might be got Lt Gen promotion,so his direction also one of the success for landing flight there.I congrats all of good effort military men.
A superb & lucid memoir by the AVM in such minute details of the exceptional feat achieved 12 years ago. Thank you sir for having acknowledged the crucial contribution of the Sons of the Soil on ground to make it possible. They are still doing their bit to keep the ALG operational.
Salute to you, sir and to the IAF for taking up these arduous journeys in operationalizing the Advanced airstrips. The common man will understand from this article about the challenges faced by our brave soldiers in defending the nation from enemies…
A moment of greatHonour to the Nation.I remember my thrilling flight in C119L packet aircraft for food drop in thoez area sitting in the cockpit monitoring the performance of engine through an ignition analyzer. Later Worked in An32.enjoyed flying to Machuka .Turtng.Ley and thoez.as a technical crew member during1984-99.i could fabricate the centralised warning system of An32 at IBRD.and was awarded by the AOC.
AVM Suryakant Chafekar having been my boss just before both of us retired, had heard about his exploits first hand from him and had even seen the clip of his path-breaking and daring operations. And yet, I couldn’t resist reading it in one go the moment someone posted it to me. Tremendous initiative, grit, professional excellence and above all, leadership. It’s the stuff legends are made of. Happy Landings Sir, Always !
The writer so modest about not claiming any credit though he initiated the proposal and actually piloted the aircraft. True leadership quality to give credit to others.
I entirely agree with you. Tremendous achievement on part of AVM Chafekar.
Sir
Thank you so much for sharing your first hand experience . You wrote in detail explaining all the technicalities & difficulties for comman person making it more realistic & increasing admiration of the task.
We just read the news without details .This first hand write up has given a better view
Thank you for this & we are grateful for your service to nation
My dad late airmarshal cks raje then sq leader did the first landing at DBO way back in 1962 it was same chinese problem same unprepared airstrip and the plane was a Fairchild Packet..specially modified by HAL . On his return take off there was unexpected load of injured jawans to be evacuated so it was touch and go…as the plane could not get sufficient lift in the rarefied thin air dad decided to go over the edge of the runway and dive into the valley below and that created the lift needed to fly out…its what you would see in movies but it worked and all subsequent landings he and others made at DBO used this dangerous but working tactic…that is the spirit of IAF
Great job done, Proud of you and your entire team for the strategic vision. Jai Hind
CONGRATULATIONS to Our Airforce and Ground Staffs for Landing at DBO in such a inhospitable Condition and also the Commander of the AN32. We are always with You.
Great job sir. Only daring pilot can attempt such impossible task.
Wow! That is indeed history in the making! And, yes it makes us proud, to have the best people in the military, air force and navy. Here I want add that having an airstrip at DBO is of the greatest strategic importance and a deterrent for those trying to sneak into our territory.
High degree of professionalism. A great lesson for young pilots
My gratitude to the Indian Airforce and the ground team for this performance. My salute to the Airforce and the Army.
Suryaknt,what aproud and satisfying moment it must have for you and the squadron boys. You once again proved that nothing is impossible for highly professional , competent and daring air crew of the I A F.
Proud of you and your team.
Kudos to you and the crew. Were you not the Captain of the An-32 which strayed into PoK ?Was Air Mshl Jimmy Bhatia on board? I understand you received a hit from a Stinger missile and recovered the aircraft.
Great job sir……we feel very Proud….. Salute..
The indifatigable spirit and self-belief of a leader and the humility to stay grounded, appreciate the wider team and the enterprise to seek opportunities in challanges. Well done Commander ! The legacy continues.
Sir,
Two main takeaways for readers – (a) you conceived and proposed this plan and then (b) flew the aircraft yourself into DBO for this historic landing. Both of them require guts and exhibit finest examples of Military leadership – leading from the front.
Ofcourse, we appreciate Air Mshl Barbora approving your plan – shows the TRUST he had in your leadership and professional skills. Another fine military trait.
Regards,
Wing Commander K Dinesh (Retd)
Air Warriors in true spirit.!
Magnificent job and inspiring leadership.
Kudos to Jawans & other personnel who contributed for preparation of air field.
U all are real HERO of INDIA !!
We are proud of u Sir!
Mother India is proud of her brave sons. Together they march ahead to achieve the greater heights !
Sir, really a great feat.you and your team and the army personnel are to be appreciated for making the airfield an usable one. Such acts of valor to be included in the syllabus of high school students.
Interesting and warm write-up by AVM Suryakant Chafekar for trial landing of AN 32 on DBO on 31 May 2008 that every soldier must read who have served along Sino- Indian/ Indo-Pak borders. IAF piolets are thoroughly professional, daring courageous with unique sense to devotion to duty.
Even a naive like me can co-relate the kind of experience needed to know the terrain and expertise to perform this critical operations . Hart’s of to IAF AND ITS TEAM.
Salute as a proud Indian. No religion. No cast matters for our Indian soldiers
Chafe…..very well explained….and a great job done….ah…those memories.
Congratulations Air Marshal. Your article is thrilling. It was an outstanding feat. Kudos to you and the squadron.
I salute the IAF, the courage & spirit of the officers and the supporting staff. We feel proud of you sir. JAI HIND.
I was an observer operater of Air OP Flt upto 1978,in 1971 flown with Major Agnihotri of 15 AOP Flt at Poolgaon near Dinajpur Bangladesh,then transferred to APS and in 1982 had chance work as Army Postmaster near siacion Glacier,where army mail transported through AOP flt to chongsaly,Fukchi for Tps .that time choper comporatbly used for mail, evacuation wounded soldiers to base then Leh.it was tremendous job of AN 32 pilot landed there.well done. In 1970 when I undergone flying training at
Nasik , flown with Capt AN Bharadwaj then he might be got Lt Gen promotion,so his direction also one of the success for landing flight there.I congrats all of good effort military men.
The Indian Defence Services including the IAF are the best inn the world we can operate effectively and efficiently with minimal resources. Jai Hind
Only Army, Airforce, Navy perform…..Politicians only LOOT public ….
Wow. I am feeling extremely proud of our defence forces. With a little political support they can achieve almost anything.Salute to our forces
A superb & lucid memoir by the AVM in such minute details of the exceptional feat achieved 12 years ago. Thank you sir for having acknowledged the crucial contribution of the Sons of the Soil on ground to make it possible. They are still doing their bit to keep the ALG operational.
Well written and was explained in detail for a layman.
It must have been a challenging mission and Kudos to the entire squadron
Reading this, I’m proud to have professionally known Suryakant Chafekar at a previous posting. He taught me, his NCC Gp Cdr, to fly microlights
Really , landing at DB O was a matter of pride for IAF and the pilot. Thanks.
इस सराहनीय अनुभव को हम तक पहुंचाने के लिए धन्यवाद
Salute to you, sir and to the IAF for taking up these arduous journeys in operationalizing the Advanced airstrips. The common man will understand from this article about the challenges faced by our brave soldiers in defending the nation from enemies…
Great job sir. Respect and salutations to you and your squadron.
Great efforts taken and hats off sir. I was discharged from that wing in 2005 Jan. I was working in ATC.
A moment of greatHonour to the Nation.I remember my thrilling flight in C119L packet aircraft for food drop in thoez area sitting in the cockpit monitoring the performance of engine through an ignition analyzer. Later Worked in An32.enjoyed flying to Machuka .Turtng.Ley and thoez.as a technical crew member during1984-99.i could fabricate the centralised warning system of An32 at IBRD.and was awarded by the AOC.
Delighted that 48 Sqadron achieved this feat flying an Antonov 29. I am not sure the Russians could have done it.
We did not have the C-130 J in those days. Does the author think that this bird could land at Daulat Bin Oldi?
Sorry, that should have read AN 32, the Sutlej
GREAT SALUTE TO IAF BRAVE HEARTS. THANK YOU “THE PRINT” FOR ARTICLE STRAIGHT FROM HORSE MOUTH.
AVM Suryakant Chafekar having been my boss just before both of us retired, had heard about his exploits first hand from him and had even seen the clip of his path-breaking and daring operations. And yet, I couldn’t resist reading it in one go the moment someone posted it to me. Tremendous initiative, grit, professional excellence and above all, leadership. It’s the stuff legends are made of. Happy Landings Sir, Always !
Hats off, officer! You deserve the laurels.
The writer so modest about not claiming any credit though he initiated the proposal and actually piloted the aircraft. True leadership quality to give credit to others.
I entirely agree with you. Tremendous achievement on part of AVM Chafekar.
Sir
Thank you so much for sharing your first hand experience . You wrote in detail explaining all the technicalities & difficulties for comman person making it more realistic & increasing admiration of the task.
We just read the news without details .This first hand write up has given a better view
Thank you for this & we are grateful for your service to nation