IAF gifts vintage Dakota aircraft to Bangladesh

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has gifted a Dakota aircraft from its museum to Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) following a formal request.

This is also to further strengthen historical ties between neighbours, the IAF said in a media release on Thursday.

Air Marshal SS Soman, Air Officer Commanding in Chief Western Air Command, handed over the aircraft to the visiting Bangladesh air chief Air Marshal Muhammad Enamul Bari in a befitting ceremony at Air Force Station Palam.

The IAF says the Dakota aircraft has played a sterling role in the history of the Indian Air Force.

“Much nostalgia is associated with the aircraft as it was one of the pioneers of the transport fleet of the Indian Air Force.”

The aircraft played a critical role during the 1971 war of independence. It played a crucial role in formation of the BAF.

The aircraft was used for transporting troops in Srinagar during 1947-48 war and also for the famous Tangail drop during 1971, the biggest and most ambitious air drop operation since World War II, the IAF says.

It was the first transport aircraft that landed at heights of 11,500 ft in Leh flown by the legendary Wing Commander Mehar Singh.