Hundreds of school children and college-goers gathered at Air Force Station Hakimpet to take a closer look at the working of Indian Air Force, here on Saturday.
Tapping their feet and humming to classical and patriotic tunes played by Air Force Band, the attendees at the exhibition broke into a run on the tarmac every time a jet prepared for take-off. They cheered as IAF pilots manoeuvred skilfully in the sky, sought details on aircrafts from uniformed men and women, and expressed their hopes of donning the IAF’s wings someday.
Display of weapons
“It was an eye-opener for us. It is my first time at an Air Force Station. Up on arrival here, we were told about various equipment used and the air strategies employed during an air combat,” said Vivek Menon, a Class 9 student of Bhavan’s Sri Ramakrishna Vidyalaya, Sainikpuri.
“We also saw the museum and saw a display of weapons. I want to become a fighter pilot,” added his friend T. Rudraksh.
The IAF had organised the event “Know Your Forces” to expose students and motivate them to join the IAF. The event was organised as part of Independence Day celebrations. The students were also shown a motivational film.
Mock rescue
For the college students clicking a selfie with friends was just as important as cheering the pilots.
Staff explained about the Hawk and Pilatus trainer aircraft. Meanwhile, Kiran and Chetak pilots performed emergency rescue moves and flew close to ground, giving enthralling moments to the crowd below. Chetak helicopter pilots performed a mock rescue by airlifting a dummy human from the ground before zooming away, which left the crowd in awe.
