A long wait is finally over. The Vijaynagar Advance Landing Ground (ALG) is now open for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the people of Arunachal Pradesh. The ALG was jointly inaugurated by Air Marshal RD Mathur, AOC-in-C Eastern Air Command and Lieutenant General Anil Chauhan, GOC-in-C Eastern Command on Wednesday, September 18, 2019.

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ALG has re-established military transport aircraft connectivity

The inauguration of the resurfaced runway at Vijaynagar ALG has re-established military transport aircraft connectivity at this easternmost hamlet of India. Several other high-ranking officers of the Army and Air Force were also present on the occasion. Repair of the runway at Vijaynagar, which was coordinated by Air Force Station Jorhat, was a challenging task because there is no road connectivity. All the load had to be airlifted by helicopters. The movement of larger transport aircraft to and from this airfield will act as a catalyst for the development of the area and facilitate the movement of the locals.

The airfield is important not only for the local administration in extending their reach to the residents of this remote area but also crucial from a strategic point of view. The ALG will assist in the effective management of our borders with Myanmar and facilitate the launch of joint operations by Indian Army and Air Force for the defence of the Vijaynagar salient.

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Vijaynagar ALG is of strategic importance for India

The Army Commander and the AOC-in-C, while interacting with the locals and ex-servicemen at Vijaynagar, commended them for their unflinching dedication to the nation and expressed the hope that air connectivity with the rest of the country would open a world of opportunities for them. Given its proximity to the Indo-China and Indo-Myanmar border, the Vijaynagar ALG is of strategic importance for India. It will now ensure smooth movement of the Army to the border as otherwise due to the absence of road troops had to trek and sail through the river for several days to reach Vijaynagar. The people of this area were also facing a lot of hardships as they are dependent on the Air Force and Army for rations to be airdropped.

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