Unveiling the Indian Air Force's Eastern Sector Capabilities

Defence Correspondents Gain Insight into IAF Capabilities in Eastern Sector Operations

Defence correspondents recently visited a forward Air Base in the Eastern Air Command Area of Responsibility (AOR) for an orientation on Indian Air Force operations and capabilities. The visit, which took place from 28 September to 1 October 2026, provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of the IAF's systems and processes.

The IAF Officers delivered lectures on the Service's history, administration, and logistics, highlighting the key systems that sustain operational readiness. These systems include the IAF's command and control structure, air traffic management, and logistics and maintenance networks.

The correspondents also had the opportunity to visit various units, including helicopter and fighter squadrons, the advanced simulator complex, surveillance units, and the Air Traffic Control centre. At each location, they received briefings on the respective roles and responsibilities of the units.

One of the highlights of the visit was the opportunity to see the IAF's Garud commandos in action. The Garud commandos are an elite group of para-commandos who are trained to conduct a range of special operations, including airborne assaults and reconnaissance missions. The correspondents were impressed by the commandos' professionalism and skill, and they gained a deeper understanding of the critical role that they play in the IAF's operations.

The visit also included a demonstration of night flying by helicopters and fighter aircraft. This provided the correspondents with a unique opportunity to see the IAF's capabilities in action, and to gain a better understanding of the challenges and complexities of air operations.

Overall, the visit was a success, and it provided defence correspondents with a comprehensive understanding of the IAF's capabilities and systems. The IAF's professionalism, coordination, and capabilities underpinning air operations were evident throughout the visit, and the correspondents left with a deeper appreciation for the Service's role in national security.

The programme was a valuable learning experience for the defence correspondents, and it will help to promote a better understanding of the IAF's capabilities and operations. The IAF's commitment to transparency and openness is evident in its willingness to engage with defence correspondents and to provide them with access to its operations and systems.

The IAF's Eastern Sector operations are a critical component of the Service's overall strategy, and the visit provided defence correspondents with a unique opportunity to gain insight into the IAF's capabilities and systems in this region. The IAF's professionalism, coordination, and capabilities underpinning air operations in the Eastern Sector were evident throughout the visit, and the correspondents left with a deeper appreciation for the Service's role in national security.

The IAF's commitment to transparency and openness is evident in its willingness to engage with defence correspondents and to provide them with access to its operations and systems. This commitment will help to promote a better understanding of the IAF's capabilities and operations, and it will contribute to the development of a more informed and engaged public discourse on national security issues.

In conclusion, the visit to the IAF's forward Air Base in the Eastern Air Command AOR was a valuable learning experience for defence correspondents, and it will help to promote a better understanding of the IAF's capabilities and operations. The IAF's professionalism, coordination, and capabilities underpinning air operations in the Eastern Sector were evident throughout the visit, and the correspondents left with a deeper appreciation for the Service's role in national security.