JAMMU : Continuing with its yeomen service the CONDORS of Jammu Air Force Station under Air Commodore P.E Patange on 4th September 2014 were alerted by the civil administration for flood relief operations in the Jammu sector. The Air Force was fully ready to undertake the operations immediately. The actual reports and the specific details of the locations started arriving at about 6:00 AM on 5th September 2014. Despite continuous rain and inclement weather the first aircraft got airborne at 6:49 AM and the rescue operations continued throughout the day in extremely challenging conditions pushing both the aircrew and the aircraft to extreme limits. On 5th September 2014 a total of 108 people were rescued from marooned locations and brought to safety.
Although the weather did not relent the operations were further intensified. On 6th September 2014 at about 11:00 AM two ALH of the Army Aviation were attached to the Air Force under the command of the Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station Jammu to aid the relief work.
A total of 16 sorties were flown by the Air Force MI 17 IV aircraft by Wing Commander Anup Sharma, Squadron Leader C.P Savathi, Squadron Leader A Sangwan, Squadron Leader Khanduri and Squadron Leader Shailesh Singh rescuing 456 civilians. A total of 29 BSF and five army pesrsonnel were rescued. In addition the Army Aviation flew a total of eight sorties rescuing 71 BSF and three army personnel.
Operation Rahat II was meticulously planned flawlessly executed under the most challenging environment. The response of the Air Force in the short reaction time speaks volumes about the professionalism and ability to operate under the most testing of conditions.