Ambala prepares for Rafale jets' landing

CHANDIGARH: Finally, the much awaited fourth-generation and one of the most advanced flying machines of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Rafale aircraft is all set to land at its one of the strategic airbases at Ambala. Subject to weather conditions, the first batch of Rafale aircrafts is expected to arrive in Ambala on Tuesday. The five aircrafts took off from Dassault aviation facility, Merignac, France, on Monday morning. The batch includes three single seater and two twin seater aircrafts.
Sources confirmed to TOI that the authorities have made elaborate arrangements at the Ambala airbase to welcome the new metal birds. Although no big event has been organised this time, a formal induction ceremony would be held in near future. "The requirement now is to ensure that pilots and crew put their heads down and become integrated with the overall IAF operations at the earliest," the IAF spokesperson said.
The arrangements to welcome this multirole flying machine of IAF began in Ambala last September, when the 17-Squadron, the "Golden Arrows", was resurrected at the airbase to equip with Rafale aircraft. The 17-Squadron was formed in Ambala on October 1, 1951, under the command of Flight Lieutenant D L Springett and was equipped with Harvard-II B aircraft.
By November 1955, the squadron converted fully to De Havilland Vampire and by 1957, Hawker Hunter aircraft were flown by the 'Golden Arrows'. The squadron converted to the Mig-21 M in 1975 and actively participated in Goa Liberation Campaign in December 1961 and in 1965 operations as a reserve force.
Under the command of Wing Commander N Chatrath, 17-Squadron took part in the Indo-Pak war of 1971 and flew close air support, counter air and fighter recce missions, getting numerous gallantry awards. In November 1988, the squadron was presented 'Colours' by then President R Venkataraman. Under the command of then Wing Commander B S Dhanoa (who later retired as IAF chief), Golden Arrows participated actively in Operation 'Safed Sagar' in 1999.
The ferry of the aircraft is planned in two stages and will be undertaken by the IAF pilots, who have undergone comprehensive training on the aircraft in France, the spokesperson confirmed.
The air to air refuelling planned during the first leg of the ferry will be undertaken by these pilots with dedicated tanker support from the French Air Force.