Op Demo on 04Dec2009 at Vizag
Each year, the Eastern Naval Command conducts a Naval Operational Demonstration for the public on Navy Day, 04 Dec, to highlight the Navy’s capabilities to the people of Vizag. This year, Bharat Rakshak was granted access to cover this event at RK Beach. M. Mazumdar who visited Vizag, reports on this annual event.
This year’s excellent Op Demo was the brainchild of newly appointed Eastern Fleet Commander , RADM PN Murugesan In a previous appointment, then Cmde Murugesan, as the Indian Naval Attache to Washington, DC was a key player in the transfer of the Eastern Fleet’s flagship, INS Jalashwa (ex USS Trenton) from the US Navy.
The chief guest at this year’s Op Demo was the Governor of Andhra Pradesh, HE Narayan Dutt Tiwari. Other VIP’s included VADM Anup Singh, FOC in C, ENC, all Flag Officers commanding and a large number of naval officers, sailors and civilian employees of the Navy.
The event commenced around 1600 hrs with the firing of 81mm rockets from a Carl Gustav and water plume charges set off by Marcos. This was then followed by a team of skydivers who dived from 11000 feet. The skydiving team was comprised of MARCOS(E) based at INS Kalinga. Marcos use a variety of techniques to infiltrate behind enemy lines including skydiving.and this demonstration showcased the precision parachuting skills of the men in black. A couple of the skydivers carried the Indian Flag and the Naval Ensign and these commandos landed on the dais in front of the assembled VIP’s thrilling the assembled crowd with their para jumping skills. What is not very well understood is that it takes a very high degree of skill and control to make precision landings using parachutes. The Marcos also demonstrated beach infiltration, target neutralization and exfiltration exercises using two Geminis – each carrying a team of 4 men. During exfiltration, two commandos manhandle the Gemini craft over the surf – itself a challenging task – while the other two provide cover. Once the craft is safely in the water , they jump aboard, fire up the OBM while the two Commandos providing cover fire run upto the craft and are hauled aboard by the two men on the boat which then speeds away.
While this was taking place, the flagship of the Eastern fleet, Jalashwa led a column of 3 SNF (R class/ Kashin class) DDG – Rajput, Rana, Ranjit, which were followed by 5 P-25/25A corvettes. One 1241RE missile boat and two WJFAC also took part in the sailpast.
Large warships embark organic helicopters for ASuW, ASW, SAR and VBSS operations. Landing helicopters on the small deck of moving warships calls for a very high degree of skill, precision and training. The public was treated to a demo of this when a UH3H, two Ka 28 and a Chetak flew up to the Jalashwa and the three SNF and hovered above the moving ships , then peeled away. Up close, another UH3H helo of INAS 350 from NAS Dega performed a SAR demo including dropping divers whilst hovering who were then picked up my Marcos in Gemini boats. Six ex USN UH3H helos were refurbished and acquired as part of the Trenton transfer package. INAS 350 'Saras' normally operates three birds whilst keeping three in reserve.
The Surface Action Group of five missile corvettes simulated a high speed missile firing run. Another group of three vessels, two WJFAC and a 1241RE missile boat made high speed passes. These smaller patrol vessels are key to coastal patrolling duties. Several more of the WJFAC are expected to commission in the coming months.
The Navy’s Sagar Pawan Acrobatic Team (SPAT) using Kiran Mk 2 aircraft performed a spectacular 15 minute display much to the delight of the assembled crowd. The SPAT is an integral element of INAS 551 Phantoms, the Navy’s training and FRU from NAS Hansa at Dabolim the The four bird formation was led by Cdr Y. Karkare, the present CO of the Phantoms. Initially formed as a three bird formation, the four bird formation was conceived by a former commanding officer of the unit, Cdr Y Garud in late 2005/early 2006.
The Navy also demonstrated amphibious operations using two LCM from the Jalashwa and 4 LCA from Airavat. These LCM each embarked two BMP and infantry from 16 Bihar, a mechanized infantry unit of the Army and a squad of 10 or so soldiers from 4 GR. After beaching, the four BMP, which are amphibious combat vehicles, drove down the ramp and up the beach, then took stations to provide covering fire for the infantry while they disembarked from the LCM. Infantry men from 16 Bihar also dismounted from the BMP and proceeded to give a demo of an assault on beach fortifications. Exfiltrating the LCM requires considerable skill because the surf can cause problems and timing is crucial in this evolution. Four LCA from the Airavat also steamed past with embarked infantry.
Aircraft from Dega based units and from INAS 312 'Albatross' at NAS Rajali, in Arakonnam then flew past. Rotary winged craft included three Chetaks from 321 Dega Flt led by Cdr SS Upadhyay, three UH3H from NAS 350 led by Cdr SH Aga and two Ka28 from NAS333/339/ embarked flights. Fixed wing aircraft included three Do 228 from NAS 311 'Kites' led by Cdr Navneet Singh and a mighty Tu-142M from INAS 312 flown by Cdr Dhiman, the current boss of CO of the Albatross sqn. The sight of the Tu 142 is always something to behold. Sadly, these aircraft are to be replaced by the Boeing P-8I in a few years time. The naval aviation community has mixed feelings about this transition.
A lone EKM submarine, the Sindhurakshak, sailed past – albeit rather far away from the shoreline. Nowadays, the Navy finds itself regularly conducting VBSS operations. At about the same time, the Marcos demonstrated a VBSS operation using Airavat as a pirated merchant vessel. While a Chetak armed with LMG's hovered overhead, a Gemini with the VBSS Team sped alongside the vessel, while the commandos clambered aboard using collapsible ladders and then proceeded to secure the vessel. The Navy has gained considerable VBSS experience from its anti piracy deployments in the Persian Gulf and elsewhere.
As the sun was setting, four SMN (Natya class) from 21MCM Sqn sailed in and dropped anchor in formation. Formation anchoring requires accurate station keeping while compensating for prevailing wing and tidal conditions. At the same time, Jalashwa, the three SNF's and the SNM's illuminated themselves and fired flares to commemorate the Navy's Dec 1971 operations.
At sunset, the age old tradition of Beating the Retreat took place as musicians from the Navy’s Band played the ‘Retreat’ and Sare Jahan se Accha and the naval ensign was lowered. The event culminated with a fireworks display that thrilled the very large crowd which thronged the entire RK Beach waterfront.
Bharat Rakshak wishes a hearty BZ to the men and women of the Navy for a job well done.
List of vessels:
L41 Jalashwa LPD
L24 Airavat LST(Large)
3 X Kashin DDG; D51 Rajput , D52 Rana, D53 Ranjit
2 X P-25A corvettes: P61 Kora, P63 Kulish,
3 X P-25 corvettes: P44 Kirpan, P46 Kuthar, P47 Khanjar
2 X Water Jet fast atack Craft (WJFAC) – Car Nicobar T69, Cheriyam T72,
1 X 1241RE missile boat K45 Vibhuti
1 X Pr 877 EKM Kilo Sindhurakshak
1 X tug Gaj A51
1 x Torpedo recovery Vessel TRV 72
2 X LCM from Jalashwa with BMP-3 ICV
4 X LCA from Airavat
4 x Natya MCMV (known as SNM)
M67 Karwar
M68 Cannanore
M70 Kakinanda
M72 Konkan
Coverage of this event would not have been possible without the kind assistance of several individuals including Cmde Monty Khanna, INA, Washington DC; Radm SY Shrikande, ACNS (FCI); Cdr PVS Satish, PRO Navy; Cdr TLP Babu, PRO Vizag and Cdr U Rana of the ENC. Bharat Rakshak is grateful to these persons and the Navy for granting the necessary permits and clearances.
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