Sarang helicopters dazzle at Thanjai air base fete
Thanjavur: Four helicopters of ‘Sarang’, the helicopter display team of the Indian Air Force were the cynosure of all eyes when they made a breathtaking, spectacular display in the skies at the air force station of the historical city of Thanjavur on Saturday.
Thousands of people, most of them school students, lustily cheered and shouted as the helicopters entered the display sky area in a formation. Later they crisscrossed, dived, separated into two and moved in different directions.
The occasion was the silver jubilee celebrations of the Thanjavur Air Force station (Southern Strikers) and ‘Sarang’, led by group captain Abhyankar. While the students were awestruck and said that they had never seen a display like this before, the pilots Ponnappa and Girish Konar said that it was beautiful and wonderful to perform in the skies of Thanjavur as the response from people was overwhelming.
Both of them have done nearly 600 displays in India and other countries like Singapore, Germany, United Kingdom, etc. Wing commander Puri and Wing Commander Bhavana of the team also expressed happiness over performing in Thanjavur.
Based at Sulur near Coimbatore, ‘Sarang’ performs wherever and whenever called. ‘Sarang’ means peacock in Sanskrit and is an apt name for the helicopter display team, which has earned many laurels by displaying the prowess and professionalism of the Indian Air Force during national and international air shows. This team has also contributed immensely during various relief missions including ‘Operation Raahat’, the tough rescue operation undertaken by the IAF in flood ravaged Uttarkhand.
Following ‘Sarang’s display, ‘Akash Ganga’, a sky diving team led by Wing Commander Gajanan Yadav, drew the audience attention with its grand performance. The team of 12 paratroopers jumped from nearly 7000 ft from an AN-32 aircraft, unfurled parachutes, displaying the tricolour and landed safely. Yadav also carried the Air Force flag.
Group captain R.V.Shinde, Station commander, Air Force station, Thanjavur complimented both the teams for the special air show that inspired young minds. N Subbaiyan, Thanjavur collector and Sanjay Kumar, range DIG, were among those who witnessed the spectacular show.