FIRST PHOTOS: IAF An-32 Lands At Vijaynagar, Arunachal Pradesh

Photos / Indian Air Force & DPR Defence

November 18, 2011 by Shiv Aroor LIVEFIST

Former Indian Army chief and curren Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, General (Retd) JJ Singh accompanied by IAF Eastern Commander Air Marshal S Varthaman inaugurated the Advance Landing Ground (ALG) at Vijaynagar in India's north-eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh today. The inaugural flight of An-32 landed at Vijaynagar ALG today putting a remote part of the North-East into the web of air connectivity in India, the IAF said in a statement.

The Indian Air Force operated Douglas C-47 Dakotas and De Havilland DHC-3 Otters from 1962 and the role was transferred to the An-32 in 1984. This ALG was made of perforated steel plate (PSP) sheets. Air maintenance operations had to be discontinued a few years ago as a result of deterioration in the surface. Subsequently extensive repairs were undertaken and the entire runway surface was renovated by the IAF with the help of the PWD Arunachal Pradesh. This ALG will now facilitate routine and regular air maintenance.