Photo Features

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India's Mission in search of MH370

Two Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft from India i.e. one P8-I of the Indian Navy and one C-130 J of the Indian Air Force carried out extensive Search and Rescue Mission in the Southern Corridor on 23rd March 2014 to look for the missing Malaysian airlines aircraft MH370. Contributions of Indian aircraft as a part of the International Search and Rescue Mission are highlighted in this photo feature.

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    * After extensive briefings at the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) established by Malaysia on 22 March 2014, both Indian aircraft took off for the search areas allotted by the ARCC. In pic: Indian Navy aircraft P8i and its crew with Indian Defence Adviser Col. Praveen Chhabra in Subang Airport in Malaysia before setting off on their Search and Rescue mission over Indian Ocean
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    * Indian Air Force aircraft C-130 Hercules and its crew with Indian Defence Adviser Col. Praveen Chhabra in Subang Airport in Malaysia before setting off on their Search and Rescue mission over Indian Ocean
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    * Onboard radars of the P8-I and C-130J afford the crew greater situational awareness about the metrological conditions and enables flying the aircraft even under bad weather conditions. In pic: Crew of P8-I of the Indian Navy manning radar and electro optronic stations during SAR mission over sub sector S-3 in the Southern Corridor on 23 March, as part of the International Search & Rescue (SAR) Mission under Malaysia.
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    * The radars of these planes can also scan the surface for any metallic objects, in addition to the visual scan conducted by the crew on-board. In pic: Capt Jhajj of Indian Navy flying the P8-I during SAR mission on 23 March over sub sector S-3 in the Southern Corridor.
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    * Both aircraft carried out nearly 10 hour sorties each, despite imminence of bad weather and cyclonic conditions enroute. The crews skillfully skirted the cyclone to reach the allotted search areas, without jeopardizing safety of the aircraft. In pic: Radar Snapshot of P8-I of Indian Navy showing cyclonic storm.
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    * India has assured that they will undertake any mission assigned by the ARCC and render any assistance that is technically feasible. Upon completion of the extensive mission, the aircraft were received by the High Commissioner of India to Malaysia Shri TS Tirumurti and the Base Commander of RMAF Airbase Subang, Brig Gen Manaf. They complimented the crews for their skills and dedication while undertaking the mission. In pic: Crew of C-130 of the Indian Air Force during their SAR mission