Shillong, March 08: A dazzling display of stunts and manoeuvre in the sky by the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) mesmerised thousands of spectators at Shillong’s most famous Umiam Lake on Friday morning.
The scintillating display of precision flying, demonstrating the skills, professionalism and capabilities of IAF pilots left the crowds awestruck.
The Aerobatic Air Display by the IAF’s famous nine-aircraft Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team projected professionalism and precision – the two hallmarks of the IAF.
Air Force pilots flew across the Umiam sky on Sukhoi-30 MKI, Rafale and Chetak/ Cheetah Helicopters leaving the crowds cheering and applauding.
Governor of Meghalaya, Phagu Chauhan along with Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K Sangma, graced the occasion along with several civil and military dignitaries and students, leaving many speechless with the performance.
Sangma lauded the Surya Kiran Aerobatic team for an amazing air display.
He said that this was his first experience witnessing a live air show.
“Today’s show has really demonstrated the kind of capability and the kind of skill that our Air Force has, it is second to none and therefore it’s a proud moment for every Indian. On behalf of all the citizens of Meghalaya I would like to really express my thanks to them and also to let them know that every citizen of this country is proud of them and for the sacrifices that they made and for the commitment that they’ve shown towards the people and towards the nation as a whole,” mentioned Sangma.
He added that this gives young generation a great opportunity to be motivated to serve the country in different positions.
“The Surya Kiran team’s performance today was as I said completely mind blowing. This is perhaps the first time that I have actually sat through a live air show like this and I was completely blown away,” an elated chief minister said.
Asked how the government plans to motivate the local youths to join the Armed Forces, Sangma informed that the armed forces and all the paramilitary forces have making extra efforts to reach out to the youngsters and to the people in the northeast.
He added that almost commandants of almost every single force and their respective recruiting agencies have met him several times to express the same concerns which was mentioned and asked how they could ensure that more and more participation would be there.
“So there is a lot of effort now being made, in fact many of the recruitments are even happening at the grassroot level where they are reaching out,” said Sangma.
Wing commander Rajesh Kajla mentioned that this is the 5th display cycle of the team in the northeast region.
“The Air Show was primarily planned to motivate the youths. This display started from Bagdogra, Jorhat, Chabua, Itanagar, Tezpur and now in Shillong and this is the end of our display cycle and we will be going back to our base where we’ll be again training for the next cycle,” said Kajla.
