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MiG 23 to fly away Chandigarh, March 17 From six squadrons operating two variants of the MiG-23, the IAF is now left with just two squadrons, one operating the interceptor version, called MF, and the other the ground attack version, called BN. “The interceptor version is being phased out this year, while the other variant would be phased-out next year,” Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command, Air Marshal P.S. Ahluwalia told The Tribune during his visit here a few days ago. According to IAF officers, No. 224 Squadron operating the MiG-23 MF is scheduled to be “number-plated” by the end of this month. It was raised in 1983 at Adampur in Punjab and is currently based in Gujarat. “Number-plating” implies that a squadron has been de-activated and is no longer listed as an establishment in the IAF’s structure. A number-plated squadron can be re-activated later after being equipped with new platforms inducted into the force. The other remaining MiG 23 BN outfit, a statement that had created a political furore. The three services have a strength of almost 2,000 women officers. In the Air Force, they are inducted in the flying branch in the transport and helicopter streams, with fighters remaining out of bounds. Other branches include air traffic controllers, aircraft engineering, logistics, education and administration. In the Army, principal combat arms like the infantry, armoured corps, artillery, and army aviation do not induct women officers. Most other arms and services are open to women for short service commission. In addition, women officers also join the Army Medical Corps, Army Dental Corps and Military Nursing Service; both in permanent commission as well as short service commission, where they have achieved the highest possible rank, that is Lieutenant-General. In fact, it was for the first time that a woman doctor was posted at the Siachen Base Camp a few months ago to cater to troops deployed at the glacier. First touted as a major achievement for women officers, the army later decided not to post any more women doctors there because it was found that she was unable to attend to casualties in outposts located at high altitudes.
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