Moran, February 14 Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessed an aerial display on Saturday featuring the IAF's fighter jets and transport helicopters, which are used for emergency situations and responses, at the Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) in Assam's Dibrugarh district.
The 4.2-km ELF in Moran – the first of its kind in the northeast region – was inaugurated by the PM earlier in the day, who arrived in Assam for a day-long visit.
In the over 20-minute aerial display, the IAF pilots demonstrated precise take-off and landing at the ELF in Moran Bypass.
A Sukhoi-30 MKI was the first jet to take off, followed by a Rafale aircraft. The IAF's 'workhorse' An-32 helicopter, designed for ferrying both cargo and passengers, performed a 'touch and go'.
Two Sukhoi-30 MKIs and a Rafale then soared over the Moran sky in quick succession.
While one Sukhoi-30 MKI and a Rafale each landed at the ELF, the other jets performed overshoot during the display.
The indigenous Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) demonstrated Special Heli-Borne Operations (SHBO) by dropping off commandos at the airstrip.
Another set of ALHs demonstrated relief operations and medical evacuation procedure at the ELF.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier stated that this would be the first such "elaborate" exercise at an ELF, with around 16 aircraft participating.
The ELF, developed at a project cost of nearly Rs 100 crore, has been specially designed and constructed in coordination with the IAF to support the landing and take-off of military and civil aircraft during emergencies, an official statement said.
