28 squadron of MiG-29 aircraft takes last flight before upgradation

The 28 squadron of MiG-29 of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Saturday took its last flight before undergoing upgradation. The MiG-29 legacy aircraft, which played a crucial role in the Kargil war, would now undergo an upgradation programme, an IAF official said. The landed squadron was received by 11 Base Repair Depot (BRD) at Ojhar in Nashik district.

Read | IAF Chief RKS Bhadauria: Rafale Will Give India Edge Over Pak, China

MiG 29 takes its last flight

The squadron had been awarded Battle Honours in the 1971 Indo-Pak war for its contribution to the Governor House attack in Dhaka, forcing the Pakistani forces to surrender before India. The 11 BRD was established in 1975 and it is the only fighter aircraft repair depot of the IAF. It has overhauled more than 500 fighter aircraft, including Su-7, MiG-23, MiG-29, and Su-30MKI.

The overhaul of MiG-29 aircraft commenced at the depot in 1996. The current upgradation programme of MiG-29 and repair and overhaul of Su-30MKI is going on at the BRD.  The first overhauled Su-30MKI from the BRD was handed over in October 2018 to an operational squadron, an official said. 

Read | IAF To Mark Anniversary With Spectacular Air Display At Hindan Base

Air Vice Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria to take over as Chief

On Monday, Air Vice Chief Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria took over as 26th Chief of the Air Staff. He took over the command from the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee & Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, who is due to retire. On September 19, the government has appointed Air Marshal RKS Bhadauria as the next Chief of the Air Staff, said the Principal Spokesperson at the Ministry of Defence. He was commissioned into the fighter stream of IAF in 1980 and was the recipient of 'Sword of Honour'. He has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (January 2013), the Vayu Sena Medal (January 2002) and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (January 2018) among other awards during 36 years of his career.

Read | Rajnath Singh Expresses Gratitude, Says Indian Navy Always On Alert

Read | PM Modi Remembers 28 September 2016 - Salutes Army's Surgical Strike