 On the night of November 3, 1988, the Indian Air Force mounted special operations to airlift a parachute battalion group from Agra, non-stop over 2000 km. It was out beyond the Southwestern coast of India to the remote Indian Ocean archipelago of the Maldives. In response to that Government`s appeal for military help against a mercenary invasion, the IL-76s of No. 44 Squadron landed at Hulule at 00:30 hours, the Indian paratroopers securing the airfield and restoring Government rule at Male within hours. Buildup of forces continued the next day, with IL-76s, An-2s and An-32s flown to the Maldives from Trivandrum, while IAF Mirage 2000s made low level passes over the scattered islands in a show of force. The most immediate reality that emerged from this short, and bloodless, action was the speedy and effective Indian military response, made possible by the IAF`s strategic airlift capability.
|
