Those In Missing AN-32 Plane ‘Presumed Dead’ Families Told: Sources
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-hands-over-historic-Dakota-aircraft-to-Bangladesh/articleshow/46263912.cms
http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/those-in-missing-an-32-plane-presumed-dead-families-told-sources-1458972?fb
An Indian Air Force AN-32 aircraft went missing on way to Port Blair
Though It Is Very Sad News, But With Adventurous End In the year 1982, I was posted to Indian Air Force Station, Jorhat (Jorhat is an administrative district of Assam, located in the central part of Brahmaputra Valley) in a ‘Dakota’ Aircraft Transport Squadron of our Air Force as a Technician.
‘Dakota’ (It was also used for air dropping troops in Bangladesh's Tangail during the 1971 war and moreover, The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota (RAF designation) is a military transport aircraft developed from the civilian Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remains in front line service with various military operators to the present day-Very old Aircraft) Aircraft Transport Squadron of our Air Force was for the purpose of dropping fresh ration at the high altitude to serving Military persons and for the purposes of such similar more assigned administrative tasks.
We, Airmen as Technicians for servicing ‘Dakota’ were to go along with ‘Dakota’ on Temporary Duty (TD) etc to different places meant for Indian Air Force to fulfill the assigned tasks.
For days together and number of times, as a Technician availed adventurous chances to fly in the ‘Dakota’, being very old aircraft used to be called then as a ‘Coffin’, while by its dropping fresh ration at the high altitude to serving Military persons.
One day immediately and suddenly, the Captain of ‘Dakota’, being very old aircraft used to be called then as a ‘Coffin’ noticed about my flying along with them and called me in warning mood, asking me as to why do you want fly in this ‘Coffin’? Are you wanted to commit suicide in this manner?
“No Airman likes to fly in this Aircraft while dropping fresh ration at the high altitude to serving Military persons except while its Auto set flying to Delhi etc at time of going on leave or on Temporary Duty (TD). But Pilot like me are bound by their duties”, the Captain said while again warning me about the condition of Dakota’,
I humbly and submissively replied to the Captain in requesting way saying, Sir, please don’t stop me from flying and let enjoy this very exceptional adventurous experience of life after duty of serving the alone aircraft, Dakota’ as my life is not more valuable than you all.
Then without disclosing to the Captain that such exceptional adventurous experience of life may not be allowed to gain officially by even any President of India and or Prime Minister of India, what to talk of others including privileged and non- privileged civilians in India, in such an aircraft like of ‘Dakota’, being very old aircraft used to be called then as a ‘Coffin’ and the similar Aircrafts may also be flying presently by the brave, very good natured and having Godly like behavior PILOTS in my Indian Air Force and attached elsewhere performing always similar tasks with the knowledge of the establishment of India.
‘Dakota’ Aircraft Transport Squadrons were replaced with AN-32 Aircraft in starting year of 1984.
In view of the above, I as an EX-Sgt of Indian Air Force: Balbir Singh Sooch only can condole the tragedy saying with sorrow;
“Though It Is Very Sad News, But With Adventurous life” All To Tolerate the Loss With Brave and Strong Hearts also as a Part of Life for All of Us.
Submission by:
Balbir Singh Sooch-Sikh Vichar Manch
First Posted on September 16, 2016 at 10: 33 AM (IST)
http://www.sikhvicharmanch.com/
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Comment:- For them the bill of ' One Rank One Pension' is crawling Since (only) 40 Years. If it would have been of MP's or MLA's. it would have been passed Within Minutes. (Shame)
Amar Jiy Singh Chndi