Air Force Chief visits forward areas

July 02, 1999

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AY Tipnis returned today after a two day visit to the forward locations in the Northern Sector. He visited the sites of deployment of aircraft, missiles and troops in the forward areas in Srinagar and Awantipur Sector and reviewed the progress of joint operations.

During the visit, the Air Chief had an opportunity to interact with airmen, jawans and officers deployed in the operations. He was briefed by the senior Air Force and Army officials regarding the efficacy of air attacks against the enemy positions and the gains made by the ground troops. He expressed satisfaction at the pace of the joint operations and close co-ordination between the army and air force which was being maintained at all levels.

Speaking to the Air Force personnel, the Air Chief complemented them on the major successes achieved especially during last two weeks as a result of change in tactics adopted by the Air Force and emphasised the need for keeping these tactics continuously under review to achieve the objective of evicting the enemy from Indian soil. He was particularly pleased with the high state of preparedness and morale of all personnel and said this together with our jointmanship, would be the decisive factor in ensuring the success of Indian armed forces.

The Air Chief was accompanied by Mrs. Molina Tipnis who met the families of the personnel involved in the operations.