NEW DELHI, SEPT 1: Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal Anil Yashwant Tipnis yesterday flew a Mi-17 helicopter and dropped loads at an advanced dropping zone at the Siachen glacier where India and Pakistan are engaged in a bitter battle for supremacy for the past 16 years.After the Kargil conflict the air force task in the northern area has increased manifold. ``Helicopters are flying 50 sorties every day some above 22,000 feet altitudes. Because of the high altitudes they can carry less than 100 kilograms load. The helicopter manufacturing companies do not guarantee its performance above 16,000 feet and yet some have to fly up to 22,000 feet,'' spokesman Squadron Leader Rajesh Dhingra said.The work for the helicopter fleet has increased 89 per cent and for the fixed wing aircraft 44 per cent after last year's conflict. ``30,000 tonnes were airlifted since last year, 20,000 in the northern sector alone. This apart from 10,000 tonnes rescue and relief operation material lifted. The air force did this without any increase in its manpower or addition to its fleet of aircraft, helicopters and equipment,'' he added.Addressing troops at the glacier, Tipnis said that the Indian Air Force was perhaps the only force in the world engaged in such protracted air logistics operation. The Army deployment in Siachen is supported by IL-76 heavy lift transport jet aircraft, AN-32 transport aircraft especially geared for high altitudes, the Mi-17 and Cheetah helicopters.
