News Release Details
New Delhi 10-Feb-2016
Indian Navy and IndianOil personnel with fighter aircrafts and
refuellers in the background.
‘Excellent Service! Keep It Up' remark on the fuel voucher (AV-8) of Hon'ble Prime Minister's aircraft, received on February 7, 2016, was special for Mr. S. S. Prasad, DGM (Avn.), Vishaka AFS and his team. Vishaka AFS team won compliments ranging from ‘Services par excellence”, “Very expeditious refuelling done” to “Outstanding” from all VVIP and Civil/Defence aircraft refuelling done as part of the International Fleet Review (IFR) at Vizag recently.
The units comprising of Dorniers, Chetaks, Hawks, UH3H, Kamovs, Seakings besides Indian Coast Guard are based at INS Dega. INS Dega is the Aviation wing of Indian Navy and IndianOil has been catering to its 100% fuel requirements for nearly five decades.
In addition to these, during International Fleet Review, outstation aircrafts comprising of MIG 29s, Sea Harriers, Sea Kings, Advanced Jet Trainers (Hawks), and ALHs from Goa, Cochin, Mumbai are also operated.
International Fleet Review 2016 is an International Military Exercise hosted and conducted by Indian Navy on behalf of the Hon'ble President of India. The objective is to enhance mutual trust and confidence with neighboring navies by inviting the ships to participate in the event. The last International Fleet Review by Indian Navy was conducted in January 2001 at Mumbai. This year it was conducted on a larger scale from February 4 to 8, 2016 at Visakhapatnam.
Vishaka AFS normally caters to 15 civil refuelling and 10 to 15 defence refuelling with an average off take of approx 100 kl per day. During IFR the number of refuelling increased to nearly 60 per day. Off take increased to 158 kl per day during the same period.
But as this is a prestigious event every possible effort was taken to meet 100% fuel requirements of all the aircrafts. On February 4, the AFS clocked a maximum refuelling of 99 which is the highest ever in the history of the AFS.
Mr. S. S. Prasad said, "It was a proud moment for us because JP5 fuel for Sea Harrier aircrafts was supplied by the AFS for the first time for which extensive coordination and follow-up was required with all concerned. AV Gas, ATF and JP 5 fuels were supplied during the period. Optimum utilisation of available resources and proper anticipated manpower planning helped us to tide over the challenges. A few glitches encountered in equipment were attended to on war footing ensuring smooth operations”.