As a relatively new addition to the Indian Air Force fleet, the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules has undergone significant enhancements in performance, payload capacity, and avionics. It has become an invaluable asset to the Indian Air Force.
Having demonstrated its impressive capabilities during many military exercises in the past, the mighty C-130J was recently deployed on a mission and executed an assault short-field landing with great success.
On the night of April 27th/28th, 2023, a daring operation was conducted by the Indian Air Force to rescue 121 individuals from a small airstrip located approximately 40 kilometers north of Khartoum, known as Wadi Sayyidna. The passengers rescued included medical cases, among them a pregnant woman, as well as individuals who lacked the means to reach Port Sudan. The operation was carried out using a C-130J aircraft.
Under the aegis of the Indian Defence Attaché, the convoy made its way to the degraded airstrip located at Wadi Sayyidna. Throughout the journey, the Attaché remained in constant communication with the Indian Air Force authorities. The airstrip lacked navigational approach aids, fuel, and most critically, landing lights – essential for guiding an aircraft during night-time landings.
The aircrew approached the airstrip using their Electro-Optical/Infra-Red sensors to ensure that the runway was clear of any obstructions and that hostile forces were not present in the vicinity. After ensuring the safety of the landing, the aircrew performed a tactical approach using Night Vision Goggles on an extremely dark night.
Upon landing, the aircraft engines were kept running while eight IAF Garud Commandos secured the passengers and their luggage onto the aircraft. The takeoff from the unlit runway was also performed using NVGs (Night Vision Goggles). This operation, which lasted approximately two and a half hours, will be remembered in the annals of Indian Air Force history for its remarkable boldness and flawless execution like the operation carried out in Kabul.
The author is a Delhi-based, DCC-qualified defence beat writer and independent contributor to print and online publications
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