16 Aug :Air Marshal PV Naik, Vice Chief of Air Staff, Indian Air Force visited the team IAF along with Lt. Gen Loyd Utterback, Commander 13th Air Force, USAF, Hawai, participating in Exercise Red Flag at Air Force Base Nellis, Nevada, USA, today.
During the course of his visit Air Mshl PV Naik attended the exercise briefings, witnessed flying and exercise debriefs. He also visited the combined Air and Space operation center at the base. He had a detailed interaction with the air crew on how their missions were progressing. He addressed the Air Warriors and also broke the news of Sixth Pay Commission to some of them. He congratulated the technicians for 100% serviceability rate so far.
Speaking to the media persons on the side lines of his visit Air Mshl Naik said “I am of the opinion that the relations between countries are best started by the Armed Forces. India and USA have been natural friends for a long time and they are getting closer and closer. We are looking for increased cooperation in future”.
On being asked about Network Centric Operations (NCW) in IAF Air Mshl Naik said “Network Centric Warfare capability is vital and indispensable in today’s warfare. IAF is a network enabled Air Force and we are progressing towards complete network centricity very fast. Network Centricity involves linking the ground, air and space assets together so as to have complete situational awareness. For this we are in the process of laying a network of fiber optics data links called the AF Net which will be a part of the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS). The integration of Operational Data Link on the airborne platforms of IAF will complete the chain. The connectivity of platforms will be “Written” on them. In the month of October we are expecting the AWACS which will be a crucial link in our network centricity.”
On being asked whether you have achieved the goals you had set for this exercise or not, Air Mshl Naik said that “It is every Pilots dream to take part in this exercise which helps them to fly away from home environment with various other types of aircraft. It is a dense flying environment with large force engagements. It has only been three to four days of flying in the exercise but we are on track to achieve our set goals.”
Lt Gen Loyd Utterback addressed the Air Warriors and said “I have flown down from Hawai to meet you all. The USAF and IAF together form an incredible team. I have been planning to get the IAF team in Red Flag and it has now materialized for peace and security in the region. I am looking forward to work more with you.”