NEW DELHI, Dec 23: The Indian Air Force (IAF) today held a 12-hour nationwide exercise, named "Operation Exercise Recall", from 4 am to 4 pm. Significantly, it was ordered by the Air headquarters unlike other routine drills which are executed at the behest of station commanders.

Aimed at checking and evaluating operational systems and procedures, the exercise involved manning of various combat units like defence aircrafts, missile squadrons and support elements, including radar and signal units.

Such an exercise gives the Air Force brass an indication of the professional awareness and readiness of its personnel. The reaction time at flying and non-flying stations in the event of a war is gauged through such exercises.

Such drills are conducted periodically but only in specific sectors. Sources said an exercise of such magnitude was last held a decade ago during "Operation Brasstacks" which involved the Army and the Navy too. No wonder, it aroused a lot of interest and led to speculation.

The IAF, however, made it clear that it was routine. "The exercise is carried out periodically in order to ensure alertness and adherence to stipulated time-frames so as to iron out problem areas if any. There is no fixed frequency for holding such exercises.," it said.

"Leaves of IAF personnel weren't cancelled, nor was anybody recalled from leave. There was no arming of aircraft either. The normal day-to-day flying operations continued unhindered during the period of the exercise," it was pointed out.

Meanwhile in Bhuj, agitating personnel of the Air Force station blocked traffic on the Bhuj-Khavda Road today, protesting against Air Marshal Janakiram, who is heading a committee set up to look into the pay disparity between flying and non-flying staff. The airmen were irked by the fact that the Marshal flew back to Delhi without meeting them.

In the morning, the airmen had smashed window-screens of the vehicles of DSP Pravin Gondiya and sub-divisional magistrate A B Parmar and even manhandled them. They tore off the badges of Border Range DIG D K Dhagal, protesting against the alleged manhandling of women by the police.

Wives and other women relatives of the airmen intercepted the car of Air Vice-Marshals A M Dhilon and Mackmohan (two other members of the Jankiram panel). Dhilon was rescued by the police and whisked away in the DSP's vehicle.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.