New Delhi: As part of “India Thanks Corona Warriors” initiative, the Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters will shower flower petals over National Police Memorial and hospitals treating COVID-19 patients on Sunday here.
The fighter aircraft include Sukhoi-30 MKI, MiG-29 and Jaguar and transport aircraft C-130 will be flying over Rajpath and will orbit over the national capital and will be visible to the residents of Delhi from their roof tops, IAF PRO Wing Commander Indranil Nandi said.
To express their gratitude towards the coronavirus warriors, the aerial salute to the Corona Warriors has been planned between 1000-1030 hours. While the petals will be showered by various choppers over National Police Memorial at 0900 hours and over hospitals onward 1030 hours onward.
“The aircraft will be flying at an approximate height of 500 meters to 1000 meters keeping Aerospace safety in mind especially in respect of bird activity,” he added.
The list of hospitals includes AllMS, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, GTB Hospital, Loknayak Hospital, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Safdarjang Hospital, Sri Ganga Ram Hospital, Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital, Max Saket, Rohini Hospital, Apollo Indraprastha Hospital and Army Hospital Research and Referal.
“The flying activity is combined along with the training activity of IAF and opportunity flight for transport aircraft and helicopters who are involved in moving supplies related to COVID-19 task,” Wing Commander Nandi said.
The IAF has been contributing towards the national effort to contain Corona by supporting mobility of men and material both at International and Domestic level.
Over 600 tonnes of medical supplies and large number of people have been airlifted including doctors, para-medics and equipment for setting up COVID testing labs.
“IAF personnel will continue to contribute towards fight against Corona,” he added.
On Friday, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat along with chiefs of three services, including Army Chief Gen MM Naravane, Indian Navy Chief Adm Karambir Singh and Indian Air Force Chief ACM RKS Bhadauria had announced that the armed forces will conduct special activities for the corona warriors in an effort to express gratitude towards them.
The activities include illumination of Indian Naval Ships, fly past and showering petals by Indian Air Force and band display by Indian Army.
The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, which was attended by NSA Ajit Doval, CDS and Chiefs of three services yesterday morning.
