Port Blair, Jan 04: "What we are up against is
virtually a war. A war maybe against nature. But it is a war,"
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal S Tyagi said today while
ruling out relocating the IAF base at Car Nicobar washed away
by the tsunamis.
"There is no possibility of relocating the base at Car
Nicobar," he told newsmen after visiting the island.
The new Air Chief, however, said some of the officers
quarters would be relocated. "We have asked for land in higher
areas from the civil administration. "We have also identified
some areas. We also require land in Port Blair.
"The Airforce, "he said, "had taken up rescue operations
at many places in the past but I don't think we have handled
a situation of such a magnitude earlier."
"The situation is very difficult here. It is a very big
challenge," the iaf chief said the runway of the airfield at
Car Nicobar, damaged by the tsunamis, would be fully repaired
within two weeks.
He said though it was a tragedy but there were bright
spots as well. "Within an hour of the tsunami hitting the
Andaman, helicopters were airborne and rescued 400 people."
He said IAF aircraft made continuous sorties to Car
Nicobar and Campbell Bay. The number of sorties stood at 182
up to January two.
Meanwhile, large Mi8 and Mi17 helicopters were pressed
into service for relief and rescue operations.
Bureau Report
