An AN 32 aircraft made its maiden landing at the Vijaynagar Advanced Landing Ground in Arunanchal Pradesh on Wednesday.
With this the Indian Air Force established connectivity to transport military aircraft to the eastern most part of the State that borders China and Myanmar.
Also read: Arunachal: Advanced Landing Ground at Vijay Nagar opens Wednesday
Air Marshal RD Mathur, AOC-in-C Eastern Air Command and Lieutenant General Anil Chauhan, GOC-in-C Eastern Command jointly inaugurated the resurfaced runway at Vijaynagar ALG on Wednesday.
This has re-established military transport aircraft connectivity at this eastern most hamlet of the country.
Several other high ranking officers of the Army and Air Force were also present on the occasion.
Defence PRO Lt Col P Khingsai said that repair of the runway at Vijaynagar, which was coordinated by Air Force Station Jorhat, was a challenging task because, there being no road connectivity, all the load had to be airlifted by helicopters.
The movement of larger transport aircraft to and from this airfield will act as a catalyst for the development of the area and facilitate movement of the locals.
The airfield is important not only for the local administration in extending their reach to the residents of this remote area but also crucial from a strategic point of view.
The ALG will assist in effective management of our borders with Myanmar and facilitate launch of joint operations by Indian Army and Air Force for the defence of the Vijaynagar.
The Army Commander and the AOC-in-C, while interacting with the locals and ex-servicemen at Vijaynagar, commended them for their unflinching dedication to the nation and expressed the hope that air connectivity with the rest of the country would open a world of opportunities for them.