The awesome power of the machine and the agile skills of the men in its cockpit were there for all to see. “These sorties and exercises we perform routinely are to keep us and our machines ready to defend the skies, the nation’s people and our economic interests,” points out Station Commander Group Captain V.J. This is a familiarisation measure to sensitise the public ahead of the Indian Air Force's 84th anniversary later in October, Group Capt. That is why the air superiority all weather long range fighters such as the Su-30 MKI have been regularly flying into AFS Thanjavur. And long after a Su-30 MKI taxied to the end of the run way releasing its brake parachute and the invited guests prepared to leave, the boom of the metal bird continued to ring in their ears.

Source: The Hindu September 07, 2016 22:58 UTC