PHOTOS : Army, IAF & Pvt Copters In North India Flood Rescue

[SRP]

ITBP men pulled from the border for rescue, relief

ITBP men pulled from the border for rescue, relief - Indian Express

 

[Rocky rock]

which incident is this??

 

[dbc]

Death toll in Uttarakhand touches 1,000, killer rain may return in 48 hours

My deepest condolence for the loss of life and the devastation caused by the floods in India.

 

[SamantK]

Salute to all those who are involved.. You guys rocks!

 

[thestringshredder]

C-130J makes Hercule-an task easys

NEW DELHI: In an innovative step, the IAF on Saturday established an aviation fuel supply bridge at Dharasu in Uttarakhand to give greater impetus to the rescue operations, which were being severely restricted because of unavailability of aviation fuel.

The first C-130J Super Hercules from the Hindon airbase landed at Dharasu, an advanced landing ground with an airstrip only 1300 feet long, early on Saturday for the first time despite inclement weather.

"On landing, the aircraft defuelled 8,000 litres of fuel into an empty bowser (a tanker containing fuel for aircraft) which had been airlifted on Friday from Sarsawa by a Mi-26 heavy-lift helicopter. With the availability of additional fuel now at Dharasu, rescue operations have picked up pace and helicopters are now able to make more sorties," said IAF spokesperson Squadron Leader Priya Joshi. Apart from carrying fuel to Dharasu, the first C-130J on its return trip carried about 40 and the second aircraft about 100 injured and stranded pilgrims to the Hindon airbase. An emergency medical centre has been set up at Hindon to tend to people arriving on board the aircraft.

"The first two C-130J aircraft carried fuel to Dharasu. A third is carrying an IAF medical team to attend to sick people at Dharasu before they are moved out to safer places," Joshi said.

Having paved the way for fixed-wing aircraft landing at Dharasu, the IAF also pressed an An-32 aircraft into action. These aircraft are carrying disaster communication equipment, some more aviation fuel, Sudan pumps for refueling the helicopters and 4,200 kgs of bridging equipment for the Border Roads Organization. The Mi-26 will also airlift BRO heavy equipment to facilitate road repair and construction.

"While the fuel bridging has given impetus to rescue operations, increased flying activity in the valleys is posing a challenge to traffic management. IAF has inducted additional personnel to ensure smooth planning, coordination and execution of flying operations, be it Air Force, Army or civilian operators," she said. "Since till 3 pm on Saturday, IAF has flown 149 sorties in which 26, 700 kg of load and 1,355 passengers were airlifted. Overall, the IAF towards 'Op Rahat', has flown 768 sorties in which 1,03,350 kgs of load has been dropped/landed and 5,347 passengers airlifted," she said.

Link - C-130J makes Hercule-an task easy - The Times of India

 

[Kloitra]

C-130J makes Hercule-an task easys

NEW DELHI: In an innovative step, the IAF on Saturday established an aviation fuel supply bridge at Dharasu in Uttarakhand to give greater impetus to the rescue operations, which were being severely restricted because of unavailability of aviation fuel.

The first C-130J Super Hercules from the Hindon airbase landed at Dharasu, an advanced landing ground with an airstrip only 1300 feet long, early on Saturday for the first time despite inclement weather.

"On landing, the aircraft defuelled 8,000 litres of fuel into an empty bowser (a tanker containing fuel for aircraft) which had been airlifted on Friday from Sarsawa by a Mi-26 heavy-lift helicopter. With the availability of additional fuel now at Dharasu, rescue operations have picked up pace and helicopters are now able to make more sorties," said IAF spokesperson Squadron Leader Priya Joshi. Apart from carrying fuel to Dharasu, the first C-130J on its return trip carried about 40 and the second aircraft about 100 injured and stranded pilgrims to the Hindon airbase. An emergency medical centre has been set up at Hindon to tend to people arriving on board the aircraft.

"The first two C-130J aircraft carried fuel to Dharasu. A third is carrying an IAF medical team to attend to sick people at Dharasu before they are moved out to safer places," Joshi said.

Having paved the way for fixed-wing aircraft landing at Dharasu, the IAF also pressed an An-32 aircraft into action. These aircraft are carrying disaster communication equipment, some more aviation fuel, Sudan pumps for refueling the helicopters and 4,200 kgs of bridging equipment for the Border Roads Organization. The Mi-26 will also airlift BRO heavy equipment to facilitate road repair and construction.

"While the fuel bridging has given impetus to rescue operations, increased flying activity in the valleys is posing a challenge to traffic management. IAF has inducted additional personnel to ensure smooth planning, coordination and execution of flying operations, be it Air Force, Army or civilian operators," she said. "Since till 3 pm on Saturday, IAF has flown 149 sorties in which 26, 700 kg of load and 1,355 passengers were airlifted. Overall, the IAF towards 'Op Rahat', has flown 768 sorties in which 1,03,350 kgs of load has been dropped/landed and 5,347 passengers airlifted," she said.

Link - C-130J makes Hercule-an task easy - The Times of India

It should prove to be a great practice for troop/equipment/fuel transport in urgent situations. All the kinks should be noted and routed out.

 

[Donatello]

Hercules the best out there!!

 

[Luftwaffe]

Hercules the best out there!!

We've been operating them for 48+ Years infact 2013 is the 50th Year of C-130s operations/in service with PAF.

 

[SRP]

Uttarakhand: Helicopter operations suspended due to bad weather; 22,000 still stranded

Uttarakhand: Helicopter operations suspended due to bad weather; 22,000 still stranded | NDTV.com

 

[agamdilawari]

 

[anant_s]

From rescue operations to providing medical care to perhaps cooking and distributing food, wonder if there is anything these guys can't do. This is Superhero stuff!

 

[sancho]

India floods: Frustrated efforts to rescue survivors

...Hundreds of sorties

But most of the roads leading to the mountains have either been damaged or washed away.

So the only way to get to the survivors is by helicopter.

The Indian air force has made hundreds of sorties to evacuate people. But their task is hampered by the terrain and the weather.

"Some of the valleys are so deep that there is no way we can land there," says Air Commodore Rajesh Issar, who heads Operation Rahat (Relief).

"So we have to winch special forces personnel down to get to the survivors, some of whom are perched on ledges and slopes and are at the end of their strength."

Squadron Leader Sandeep Pradhan is an air force helicopter pilot who says he has lost count of the number of sorties he has made in the past week.

"The hardest thing is leaving people behind. I can only carry 35-40 people on each flight and there are so many who want to get on."

I join him on his latest sortie, along with a unit of Special Forces brought in to try and reach those survivors in remote areas, who remain out of reach.

After a delay because of bad weather, we take off in a Russian-built Mi-17 helicopter.

Air Vice Marshal S Nair, a senior air force officer, traces our route on a map as we follow the Ganges river.

"We always follow the river - it's the best navigational aid, especially in this terrain."

Below us, the landscape unfolds - vast stretches of land where houses have been washed away and the river flows through at a rapid pace.

Fifteen minutes into the flight, the helicopter banks sharply.

"We're turning back," the pilot announces. The weather has worsened and soon after we land, the rain comes down.

There is nothing to do but wait. At the base, the pilots and technicians take a break sipping cups of tea.

"It's frustrating," one of the members of the Special Forces tells me.

"We need to get out there urgently but we can't."

Around us, boxes of supplies lie waiting to be loaded - dry rations, medicines, including intravenous fluids and insulin - all meant for the flood victims.

It is going to be a while before they can be taken across.

BBC News - India floods: Frustrated efforts to rescue survivors

 

[sancho]

Cheetah choppers go extra mile to save Uttarakhand survivors

Not many would fathom the practice of passenger overload in a helicopter as prevalent in road transport vehicles, but the small Army 'Cheetah' choppers have carried up to five people in one sortie to speed up rescue operations in Uttarakhand.

Army aviation pilots, after taking into account the avionics of the two-seater chopper, have been flying such sorties to areas like Badrinath, Jangalchhati and Harshil.

The Army aviation today launched a reconnaissance operation through these choppers in the affected areas to rescue those who are trapped and have even sent a squad of 200 troops to comb the jungle terrains for survivors.

"We have carried as many as 5 passengers in one sortie. This is an experiment which we do rarely. But keeping in mind the requirement to rescue so many people, pilots took into consideration the security aspect and the space was then created by folding the two passenger seats," a senior Army officer said.

"The machines are working using optimum fuel but security of passengers and rescued people is of paramount importance. There is no compromise on security of the men and machine," the officer said.

The Army Aviation Corps (AAC) has deployed 5 'Cheetah' choppers and two Dhruv helicopters alongside Indian Air Force (IAF) assets.

The 'Cheetah's search and rescue mission has a pilot and co-pilot and the chopper can land at small and unprepared bases.

These helicopters have till now rescued close to 500 people and are expected to take to the skies once the weather gets better, the officer said.

Cheetah choppers go extra mile to save Uttarakhand survivors - daily.bhaskar.com

Made in Bangalore copters save flood-hit Uttarakhand pilgrims

Indigenously designed and developed Dhruv (Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) have proved their versatility by being part of the Indian Air Force (IAF) rescue missions in Uttarakhand, the flood-ravaged Himalayan state .

As many as 20 copters, built by Bangalore-headquartered public sector unit Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have been deployed in Uttarakhand. Weather is inhospitable and visibility is very low, but the Indian Air Force (IAF) is making relentless efforts to fly people to safety...

...The IAF’s famed aerobatic display team Sarang too is involved in the rescue mission. The team, which is known for its performance at air shows, is based at IAF base in Sulur in Tamil Nadu.

“Along with other aircraft and helicopters, Chetaks too are deployed in the most inaccessible areas to help people,” the sources said...

Made in Bangalore copters save flood-hit Uttarakhand pilgrims - The New Indian Express

 

[asad71]

1. Floods of this nature are a regular feature. We in BD have areas allotted to formations to rush in during such eventualities. Units carry out reccees, map exercises, liaise with civil authorities/NGOs and are ready when floods or cyclones strike. As such casualties and destruction has been minimized greatly. India lacks behind in such humanitarian response.

2. It is interesting that every time the Brahmaputra is in flood, PLA moves in to provide succor to the affected people much before Indian military reaches the spot in S Tibet.

 

[Abingdonboy]

1. Floods of this nature are a regular feature. We in BD have areas allotted to formations to rush in during such eventualities. Units carry out reccees, map exercises, liaise with civil authorities/NGOs and are ready when floods or cyclones strike. As such casualties and destruction has been minimized greatly. India lacks behind in such humanitarian response.

Look up the NDRF buddy.