The Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) are ready. All lined up, basking in the sun, with the mandatory pre-flight checks done. The Marine Commandoes (MARCOS) and the naval divers too have taken their positions for their designated task of the day. Welcome to Southern Naval Command (SNC), Kochi.
During a recent visit to INS Garuda, the home of the Guardians situated at the SNC, OneIndia was treated to a spectacular flying demonstration of ALHs.
The highlight of the performance was ‘10-10 Method’, in which an ALH flew just 10 feet above the water at 10 knots with divers being dropped one by one into the water. A slithering operation to exhibit the STIE (Small Team Insertion and Extraction) mission was also on display. The Marine Commandos slithered down at a designated area, which was difficult for an aircraft to land.
The Indian Navy is adding more teeth to its air wing to bolster its coastal security operations. The Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS 322, Guardians), raised in November 2013 and operating the Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs), is also on an expansion mode with more assets set to join them soon.
Guardians Commanding Officer Capt Venkatesh R Iyer has seen the ALHs right from 2002 when the first ALH was inducted into the Navy. An active member of the Intensive Flying and Training Unit (IFTU) then, Capt Iyer has been serving the Navy over the last 21 years. He has over 2000 hours of flying, out of which 500 hours alone on ALH.
Read the full report, here:http://bit.ly/1LRtlkm
Photo album, here: http://on.fb.me/1OKpJVZ
See a previous video, here: http://bit.ly/1XE7PeW
