From the mountains to the deserts, the Western Air Command guards the Indian skies with an indomitable spirit that can beat all odds

People first, mission always, is the vision of Western Air Command (WAC). And time and again, the command personnel have demonstrated that an indomitable spirit can beat all odds. The air warriors in WAC are aware that limitations do exist, but only in the mind. And their minds are always guided by the command’s motto Aakashmasmtseema, meaning sky is the limit.

The IAF which stands at the threshold of a transformation will see its role shift significantly from the tactical to the strategic realm. And spearheading this technological revolution is the WAC.

WAC’s air warriors and air defence infrastructure, besides guarding the skies are also responsible to provide air defence protection to the National Capital Region—both during peace and war. The WAC has thus been tasked to provide air defence cover for the Commonwealth Games.

Path-breaking Year: The year gone by has been a very satisfying one for WAC, as path-breaking efforts were made towards increasing its combat potential. A comprehensive plan was made for acquiring the necessary wherewithal towards the planned technology upgradation in the future. The underlying mantra guiding all the actions has been to improve the efficiency and capabilities of the entire system in a holistic manner. As a starting point, an airfield upgradation plan is currently under way. Airfields would be upgraded to support and integrate the new inductions. Considering the prevalent internal security situation, security of the infrastructure as well as vital installations is also undergoing a major beef up. While Bhatinda airfield work was completed on July 10, Srinagar airfield will be ready to undertake full-scale operations commencing September 10 and Leh airfield work is progressing on schedule.

Casualty evacuation and other disaster relief missions are also undertaken by WAC frequently. Recently, during the flash floods in Leh, the air warriors toiled incessantly to provide much needed succour to the locals. As all the major roads and highways were damaged, it was vital to operationalise Leh airfield at the earliest. Though the runway was covered with thick mud and slush, the IAF personnel at Air Force Station Leh operationalised the airfield in a record time of only eight hours. Further, the WAC airlifted around 600 tonnes of relief material and 400 personnel. In addition, 114 HU—the Siachen Pioneers, a premier operational unit of WAC which had earlier been honoured with CAS Unit Citation in 2002, added another feather to their cap by evacuating 120 stranded foreign tourists by flying 63 Cas Evac sorties in a record time of six hours.

WAC’s response to internal security crises too has been very prompt. When the government finally cleared the deployment of air power for arresting the growing Naxal menace, WAC despatched four of its Mi-17 1V helicopters for operations in the affected areas.