Jalandhar: Stunning performances by Suryakiran jets in the skies

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, September 15

The Suryakiran Aerobatic Team of the Indian Air Force on Wednesday mesmerised the residents of the district during their morning practice session ahead of the scheduled air show on September 17 and 18 here.

As soon as the earsplitting sound of the planes was heard a little past 9 am, residents of the city could be seen standing on rooftops. They watched in awe nine fighter jets skimming overhead in different directions and then coming together as they formed a diamond shape pattern in the sky. The residents were quick to capture the aerobatic performance of the jets on their cell phones and cameras and uploaded them on social media.

The IAF team consists of 17 officers, 200 technicians and packs a powerful punch. Formed in 1996, the team has been personifying the motto of the Indian Air Force “Touch the sky with glory” ever since. The team, which has grown into a global phenomenon, has the distinction of being among nine aircraft formation aerobatic teams in the world.

This year on the occasion of Swarnim Vijay Varsh or 50 years of the war of 1971, the team, whose motto is “Always the Best” will be undertaking low-level aerobatic displays over Jalandhar on September 17 and 18, in Chandigarh on September 22, in Srinagar on September 26, the Hindon Air Force Station on Air Force Day on October 8 and Pune on October 16.

The team will also be carrying out fly pasts in Amritsar, Ludhiana, Pathankot, Batala and Shimla. Later in the year, they will be operating over central and eastern India.

The most professional air forces have a formation aerobatic unit, which undertakes the extremely challenging role of doing aerobatic manoeuvres close to the ground, in large formations, to not only showcase their capabilities but also to motivate the youth to join the esteemed defence forces.

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