MiG-21 FL flies into IAF history

KALAIKUNDA (West Bengal): Two pairs of MiG-21 FLs, India's first supersonic jet, took off with a deafening roar from the runway of the Kalaikunda air base at 9.45am for one last time on Wednesday, and flew into the history of the Indian Air Force after 50 years of long association.

The iconic jet that has been flown by nearly 3 out of every 4 fighter pilots since its inception in 1963, made its final pass in a four-aircraft box formation over the tarmac area.

A separate formation by three MiG-27 MLs roared over saluting the MiG-21s (Type-77) as Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne reviewed the parade on the ground commanded by Group Captain VP Singh, commander of the Operational Conversion Unit (OCU).

A MiG-21 FL bearing tail number c-1125 was towed out of the parade square to the tune of 'Auld Lang Syne', as wing walkers marched alongside.

Flight-Lieutenant L Nagarajan, the youngest OCU pilot, handed over the Form 700 - the document log of an aircraft - of the MiG -21 to Browne, symbolizing the curtains for the fighter aircraft.

Browne in his address called it a watershed moment in the IAF's history.

"Today's event marks a watershed moment in IAF's history as we reach the end of nearly five decades of remarkable operational service rendered by this iconic fighter."

Browne also released a coffee-table book and a commemorative postal stamp to mark the occasion.