IAF conducts casualty air evacuation drill in Chandigarh

As part of the ongoing IAF exercise ‘Gaganshakti-2018’, the Indian Air Force conducted a mass casualty air evacuation drill from Leh to Chandigarh in the northern sector yesterday.

About Gaganshakti-2018 - Air Evacuation Drill :-

• Around 88 simulated casualties were airlifted from Leh and taken to Chandigarh by a C-17 heavy lift aircraft.
• The C-17 Globe Master Aircraft was converted for this role by fixing support structures for the stretchers, in the main cabin.
• An indigenously developed patient transfer unit (PTU) capable of providing in-flight critical care to patients was demonstrated during the exercise.

This capability will also be utilised by the IAF in case of human assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations near the incident locations by even landing on the designated highways.

About Gaganshakti Exercise 2018 :-

Aim of  IAF GaganShakti Exercise 2018 :-

• Full spectrums of operations are planned by IAF with special focus on `Network Centric Operations' & ‘Effect Based Operations'
• This exercise is aimed at coordinating operations, maintenance and administrative responses to achieve the stated objectives of the Indian Air Force, in case of any contingency.
• This exercise will hone the war fighting skills of the air warriors in a real time scenario thus affirming the IAF's role as the cutting edge of our nation's military capability.

During Gaganshakti 2018 :-

• IAF will exercise the entire machinery to validate its concept of operations and war waging capability. This year the IAF has planned tactics that will be tested in a real time scenario.
• It is for the first time that efficacy and integration of LCA in the operational matrix of the IAF is planned.
• The logistics stamina of the IAF and the ability to sustain continuous operations through day & night would be put to test.
• Efficient exploitation of combat support assets, including use of enablers like AWACS, AEW&C, FRA, Transport aircraft and ISR assets forms an integral part of the exercise.
• Special operations employing transport aircraft and helicopter as well as Special Forces have been planned during the exercise.
• The IAF will utilize this opportunity to validate new strategies and tactics, especially to validate recently inducted or upgraded assets and equipments.
• While it is an IAF centric exercise, it is planned to be executed keeping in mind the "Joint Operational Doctrine".
• Joint operations, including CSFO, Airborne Ops, Air Landed Ops and Maritime Ops, have also been planned.
• IAF will also practice and validate various Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief drills that the IAF is expected to undertake from time to time.