Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria paid a visit to the forward bases if the Indian Air Force in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh during his two day visit to the Eastern Air Command that concluded on Wednesday.

During his visit to the forward bases, CAS Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria took stock of the Air Force’s battle preparedness in the Eastern Air Command.

The CAS interacted with senior IAF officers and personnel deployed in the forward areas.

Notably, India has been boosting its military prowess along the line of Actual Control (LAC) and the McMohan Line with China following the violent clashes that broke out between the armies of both the sides in April-May last year in Ladakh sector.

Bilateral ties between India and China is at an all-time low since the 1962 Sino-Indian war.

Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh have borders with China.

During his visit to Arunachal Pradesh, CAS Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria met Governor Brig (Retd) BD Mishra and Chief Minister Pema Khandu and discussed issues pertaining to the national security, recruitment of the youth into the Air Force and IAF’s humanitarian missions in the State.

Discussions were held on Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) for Dirang and Anini, to which the IAF responded favourably.

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Chief Minister Pema Khandu assured the IAF of Government support for defense preparedness.

Meanwhile, the IAF chief also assured CM Khandu of providing defense pilots to meet the shortage of pilots for fixed-wing civilian aircraft to be operated in the State.

On the other hand, Governor BD Mishra thanked the IAF for airlifting the people of the State during emergencies.

The Governor further suggested Bhadauria to conduct recruitment rallies to encourage youths from the State to join the Air Force.