Specialisation needed in Air Force

NAL BIKANER, FEBRUARY 16: Different squadrons of the Air Force will be earmarked for specialised operations as the need in future combat...

NAL BIKANER, FEBRUARY 16: Different squadrons of the Air Force will be earmarked for specialised operations as the need in future combat would be for specialised units.

The Air Force is evolving new doctrines and validating its concepts with pilots and ground personnel coming as close to the war scenario as permissible, in peace times. 8220;You cannot have the same pilots performing an air combat task, counter surface task and air defence role. We are pressurising the pilots as much as possible, checking their reflexes and reactions and will alter training accordingly,8221; Air Marshal S Krishnaswamy, air officer commanding Western Air Command said.

And now pilots, especially those who may be required to drop commandos and supplies in the enemy territory or behind enemy lines, will be tasked to learn about Surface to Air Missile SAM firing. The pilots should not have a Stinger-phobia nor should they be over-confident. Therefore pilots will be trained in SAM operations by missile experts. 8220;There are effectively 12 steps before a SAM is fired. If any of the 12 are not taken then chances of a hit are less. Therefore when pilots know how a SAM is fired, they know how much time they have for their task, when and how to dodge and exhaust it,8221; he added.

But there the IAF is facing a stumbling block. The reflexes and responses of pilots in exercises are different since 8220;there is no lead bullets flying in their direction or hitting their aircraft.8221; The approach to the problem in war and peace is different and so is the orientation of the pilots and the ground staff. The effort is also to check a pilot8217;s reaction to change. Just before take-off, plans are changed and new ones given and so on. Does the pilot buckle, can he handle pressure, what are the changes that need to be made in training 8212; these are some of the aspects the IAF is looking into.

The main aim of the Air Force, according to Krishnaswamy, is to ensure the Army8217;s victory in war. And therefore both the Army and the Air Force are taking each step together 8212; from conceptualising operations to executing it at each stage. 8220;We are learning how to get maximum support from the Air Force; in gathering intelligence, safety from the air and thrust cover. And then the paratroopers work in tandem with the IAF,8221; an officer of the Western Command said.