THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa, chief of air staff who is here on a two-day official visit, inaugurated the Commanders' Conference of Southern Air Command at Akkulam here on Thursday. The CAS during his interaction with the command staff and commanders stressed on the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and the importance of capability enhancement in the bases in SAC.
He acknowledged the progress achieved in the development of infrastructure towards induction of fighters and radars in this region. The CAS appreciated the efforts put in towards search and rescue operations during Cyclone Ockhi last year. He highlighted the challenges being faced by the Indian Air Force while undergoing modernisation and emphasised the need to absorb and operationalise the new assets smoothly.
He emphasised the criticality of optimal utilisation of resources. He reviewed the Air Defence System and its future development and urged the commanders to continue to maintain high standards in all areas of operational preparedness. He also awarded trophies to various stations and units of SAC for their outstanding performance. The trophies for Pride of Command and the Best Radar Unit were awarded to Air Force Station Sulur and Chimney Hills respectively.
