Seventeen Ramp;O receives best flying unit award

CHANDIGARH, April 13: The No.17 Reconnaissance and Observation Ramp;O Flight has been adjudged as the best flying unit of the Western ...

CHANDIGARH, April 13: The No.17 Reconnaissance and Observation Ramp;O Flight has been adjudged as the best flying unit of the Western Command for the year 1998-99.

The trophy instituted last year, is awarded on the basis of operational efficiency and flight safety record. It was received by Maj S.N. Sharama on behalf of his unit from the GOC-in-C, Western Command, Lt Gen H.B. Kala at the annual Army Aviation Conference at Headquarters Western Command in Chandimandir today.

Later, addressing the conference, Lt Gen Kala emphasised careful maintenance and upkeep of the flying machines so that pilots were assured of perfect flight worthiness of aircraft before launching sorties.

The Army Commander added that for accident-free performance, it was essential on the part of the pilots to be fully aware of all hazardous conditions in the area they fly over.

Congratulating the Army Aviation Corps for its work in the Command theatre, Chief of Staff, Western Command, Lt Gen H.R.S. Mann, who chaired the conference emphasised the need to promote flight safety which, he said, is an end product of synergised efforts of the aviators and the ground staff. Senior Army Aviation officers from Army Headquarters as well as Western Command and its affiliated formations are attending the two-day conference.

The conference will cover operational and logistic aspects as well as issues of flight safety, maintenance, spares and training.

Vajra diwas8217; celebrated
The 46 Armoured Regiment celebrated its 8220;Vajra Divas8221; somewhere in the Western Sector today.

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Several ceremonial functions were organised to the mark the occasion, which were attended by a large number of serving as well as retired officers, JCOs and other ranks.

Presently commanded by Col B.P. Singh, the regiment was raised on July 1, 1982 and saw active service in Operation Rakshak. It has so far won one Shaurya Chakra, one Sena Medal, three Chief of the Army Staff8217;s Commendation Cards and four Army Commander8217;s Commendation Cards.

Two held for robbery
Two persons alleged to be involved in separate cases of robbery have been arrested by the local police and stolen property has been recovered from their possession.

Police said that Sector 19 resident Giani was apprehended and a stolen television, worth about Rs 4,500, was recovered from his house. He has been booked under Sections 454 and 380 of the Indian Penal Code for house breaking and theft in a building.

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In another case, Teka Ram, a resident of Saletaa near Nepalganj has been arrested and Rs. 600 recivered from his possession. On being interrogated the accused said that he had been working as a servant in a Sector 8 house and had stolen the money. He has been booked under Section 381 for theft.