In an effort towards building synergy between India’s armed forces, the Indian army will provide logistical support to the Indian Air Force (IAF) for the GAGAN SHAKTI- 2024 exercise. The 10-day-long exercise will commence from 1st to 10th April spanning multiple locations in India, from the western to northern fronts. The IAF fighter jets and helicopters will take off from different parts of the country and will engage with pseudo targets at the Pokhran Field Firing Ranges in Jaiselmer, Rajasthan.
The Indian army has facilitated a comprehensive pan India movement of about 10,000 IAF personnel and ammunition as part of the Operational Rail Mobilisation Plan (ORMP) of the IAF. The plan will operationalise across India including the return journeys of the troops as per the ORMP. This involved a rail transportation plan from different clusters across India for both the onward and return journeys in accordance with the Operational Plan, as per the army sources.
The Indian army will provide 12 special passenger trains featuring all the necessary amenities such as food and beds. The facilities will be available throughout the country such as in Bangalore, Chennai, Chandigarh, Delhi and Kanpur. The passenger trains which will be used for the operations are named ‘Sanyukta Express’ to represent the Inter-Service camaraderie. By next month in April, the return journeys have been planned according to the official.
The Movement Control Organisations (MCOs) of the Indian Army will take care of the liaison and movement requirements. The MCO’s task will be to monitor movement in coordination with a control cell established at the Army Headquarters during operations. Furthermore, two trains will be available to supply ammunition from depots to the exercise areas. In addition, assorted movements such as smaller numbers of troops will be provided with Railway coaches along with express trains.
Team Bharatshakti
