Home to all the vital strategic squadrons, which have consistently brought laurels to the IAF, the Central Air Command has been contributing immensely towards various relief missions in India and abroad as well as doing its bit towards scientific research in the country

Damaniya Atmashatrava, meaning destruction of the enemy, is the motto of this operational command and that sets most of its lethal weaponry. Since its inception, the Central Air Command (CAC) has built up an enviable war record including Indo-Pak War in 1965 and 1971. This Command has been home to all the vital strategic squadrons, which have consistently brought laurels to the Indian Air Force (IAF). Responsible for the largest geographical land mass under a single Command HQ, the area covered by CAC starts from the snow-capped Himalayas in the north and ends in the Central highlands through the Gangetic plains. The Central Air Command was formed at Rani Kutir, Calcutta and was relocated to Allahabad in February 1966, as it was equidistant from the units in the West, as well as the East.

The IAF has placed most of its high value assets of significance under one umbrella and the Central Air Command is its custodian. The air warriors of CAC have accomplished all assigned missions with aplomb and have brought laurels to the nation and the IAF through their professionalism displayed at various international exercises conducted within and outside the country. CAC has been contributing immensely towards various relief missions in India and abroad as well as doing its bit towards scientific research in the country. Some landmark events and achievements of the CAC in the last one year include:

Ex Eastern Bridge (Oman): The IAF’s bilateral exercise with Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO), Ex Eastern Bridge was conducted in October 2009 at Thurmait (Oman). Six IAF Jaguars from Air Force base at Gorakhpur took part in the exercise. RAFO Jaguars and F-16 Block 50+ fighters operated for the first time along with IAF Jaguars. The aim of the exercise was to learn the nuances of joint strike operations in an international scenario from the only country operating Jaguar aircraft in the Middle East. This was the first-ever air exercise between the two countries.

Exercise Garuda IV: From June 14 to 25, 2010, Base Aerienne 125 Istres-Le-Tube saw the arrival of mighty Sukhois once again, but this time they were the more potent SU-30MKI. Singapore Air Force too joined in with their F-16s. The main aim of the exercise was to conduct Air Defence operations in the AWACS and non-AWACS environment as well as to enhance interoperability amongst the three air forces. During the exercise, the six IAF SU-30MKI along with French Mirage 2000-5 and the Singapore F-16s engaged in various air defence manoeuvres such as implementation of “no fly zones” and large force engagements, both during day and night.

Relief and Rescue Operations: The transport and helicopter units have been providing a yeoman service to people affected by natural calamities, man-made disasters or in support of central/state security forces. With the CAC holding a large transport fleet as well as owing to its central location and consequent quick response time, the onus of undertaking relief missions at short notice rests with it. Two Mi-8s from 105 HU were engaged in flood relief operations in Andhra Pradesh in October 2009 rescuing/airlifting personnel and providing succour by way of dropping relief material. Similarly, IL-76 aircraft of this Command were tasked to airlift relief material after the devastation caused by cloud burst and consequent flash floods at Leh in August 2010. In July 2010, one IL-76 aircraft from 44 Squadron proceeded to Osh, Kyrgyzstan, with 28 tonnes of relief material as humanitarian assistance for the people affected by ethnic violence in that country.