Air Marshal J.N. Burma, Air Officer-in-Charge Administration, Air HQ elaborates on the various measures and programmes undertaken to ensure the security and comfort of air warriors

SP’s Aviation (SP’s): As Air Officer-in-Charge Administration (AOA), what has been your contribution towards accomplishment of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) ultimate aim of safeguarding the skies?
AOA: Administration is essentially the control and co-ordination of all administrative activities taking place in the IAF. In the realm of operations, I have striven to provide the best possible works services so that flying and other associated activities are conducted smoothly. By close interaction with the Operations Branch, it has been ensured that the value for each rupee spent is efficiently realised. Administration affects all aspects of the life of an air warrior, whether at workplace or at home. My aim is to make an air warrior feel comfortable, so that he or she performs wholeheartedly towards the achievement of organisational goals. This has been done by providing air warriors comfortable accommodation, adequate financial security, good schooling for their children, high quality medical services, and all other avenues for personality development.

SP’s: All three services reportedly suffer from severe shortages in housing. What is the status of married accommodation in the IAF?
AOA: There is a requirement of 10,657 married accommodation units for the officers and 67,453 for Personnel Below Officer Rank (PBOR) as per the existing government authorisation. Of that, 7,311 houses for officers and 48,643 units for PBORs are available with resultant satisfaction levels of 69 per cent and 72 per cent, respectively. To overcome the problem, the government had launched a special scheme in May 2002 to provide 100 per cent married accommodation to the armed forces on a fast track. Under the so-called Married Accommodation Project (MAP), 200,000 houses were to be constructed on high priority for the three services. Under the scheme, 16,110 dwelling units (DUs) have been approved for the IAF, so far. The MAP project is being implemented in four phases. In phase–I, 7,805 DUs at 20 air force stations are being constructed with expected completion by March 31. The second phase consisting of 5,238 units for 22 locations also stands approved with March 31, 2012 as the target date for completion. Balance deficiencies will be filled during the remaining two (III & IV) phases to bring the satisfaction level to 100 per cent.

SP’s: What is the necessity of imposing restrictions on construction around air force stations?
AOA: To address the needs of flight safety and security, there is a requirement to impose restrictions around air force stations. Aircraft Act, 1934 addresses all flight safety requirements. Provisions of the Act are applicable to all aerodromes (both military and civil) and have been reinforced by Gazette Notification issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in January 1998. The notification spells out restrictions on construction of buildings around the IAF premises varying from 100 m to 900 m, depending upon the nature of the installations. These restrictions have been imposed to ensure both the security of the air force installations as well as safety of the civilian populace in the vicinity of these stations. The restrictions are, however, confined to the technical areas alone and, therefore, civilian constructions around the domestic areas of the air force camps are allowed to continue.

SP’s: What are the resources available and what additional steps are being taken to modernise the security infrastructure at the IAF installations?
AOA: Adequate security manpower in terms of IAF police force, Defence Services Corps personnel and trained Quick Reaction Teams are available at air force bases which have been physically secured by security walls with concertina coils. Security equipment currently available at bases include wireless communication networks, hand-held/door-frame metal detectors, under-vehicle inspection mirrors, X-ray baggage machines, patrolling vehicles, search lights, bulletproof vests/patkas and suitable weapons. Many modernisation plans are also under way at different air force stations. Access control systems are being procured for a large number of bases where all personnel will be issued with biometric-based access control cards for identification, ensuring restricted access to sensitive locations. Night vision devices are being supplied by Dehradun-based Ordnance Factory in 2009. Inter-active Fire Arm Training Simulators are being procured to enhance weapon handling skills of the service personnel. In addition, smart power fences and armoured vehicles are being installed/inducted into strategically more important bases. Under the new Total Security Solution programme, latest technologies such as CCTV-based surveillance and low-cost mini UAVs for perimeter surveillance are being examined for induction into the IAF.

SP’s: What is the special charter of the Garud Force and what are its capabilities?
AOA: The Garud Special Operations Force has been created by the IAF to provide emergency response and quick reaction at critical air bases and mobile units, including force protection to IAF assets; combat search and rescue during peace and war over land and at sea; counter terror operations involving IAF bases and assets; disaster relief during calamities; conduct of special missions in the operational interest of IAF/sister services and in national interest. Inclusion of anti-high jacking operations in its charter is under consideration. The force has acquired insertion/extrication capabilities using, combat para-trooping (static line), slithering operations from heliborne platforms, small-team insertion and extrication operations and low-hover jumps, among other techniques. Its operational capabilities include target designation using PLDS, DEAD missions, commando raids and combat search and rescue. The force is being equipped with special weapons such as 5.56 Tavor assault rifles, sub-machine guns, 5.56 Negev, Galil sniper rifles, under-barrel grenade launchers (compatible with Tavor) and, light strike vehicles. Garud force personnel are keeping their combat skills properly honed by regularly participating in national and international exercises, including the US Exercise Red Flag 2008. On the operational front, the force is part of the Indian UN peace-keeping missions abroad since 2004. The force has also participated by giving cover to UAV deployment in the Naxal affected state of Chhattisgarh.

SP’s: What are the adventure activities being conducted by the IAF, especially in the field of aero sports, to motivate the younger generation to join the air force?
AOA: Adventure activities are conducted under three broad categories: aero, water and land sports. Under these broad categories, a number of activities have been undertaken by the IAF earning national and international acclaim. Notable amongst these were the round-the-world trip in a microlight in 2007 and a successful mountaineering mission to Mount Everest earlier in 2005. In the field of aero sports, the IAF is in the process of acquiring greater number of gliders and microlights to set up a special nodal centre at Air Force Station Hindon in the National Capital Region.

SP’s: How is welfare defined in the IAF and how do you look after the welfare of air warriors?
AOA: Welfare is all-pervasive in the air force in one form or the other. In addition to the service facilities, the IAF treats all its air warriors as members of the Air Force Family and lends a helping hand to overcome their individual problems through counseling and financial support where required. The IAF generates funds for welfare through nominal monthly contributions, from CSD trade surplus and from outside donations. At Air HQ level, welfare funds are held under two different heads—the Indian Air Force Central Welfare Fund (IAFCWF) and the IAF Benevolent Association (IAFBA). Both these funds are registered under Societies Act. Welfare activities, like opening of schools, sports, recreation and medical facilities, that look after community needs fall under the category of group welfare and are funded from IAFCWF. Welfare activities which are meant for individuals, such as scholarships for children, loans to individuals and grants to widows, fall in individuals’ welfare category and financed primarily from IAFBA.

SP’s: It has been noticed that a large number of air force personnel approach civil courts. Does it point towards inadequate mechanism for redressal of grievances in the IAF? How will establishment of Armed Forces Tribunals help in this regard?
AOA: I shall attribute the increase in number of cases to the enhanced awareness among the air warriors about their legal rights. Air Force Act 1950 provides for air warriors to seek redress of their grievances. The same provision is also laid down in the Regulations for the Air Force, 1964. The intention of air force authorities at all levels is always to investigate the complaint and provide succour to the aggrieved personnel. The success rate in this endeavour exceeds 90 per cent with the remaining having the option to go to the courts. As far as the Armed Forces Tribunals are concerned, these will act as an appellate authority from the verdicts of the courts-martial and will have a right to adjudicate upon all disputes relating to the service matters of affected personnel.

SP’s: How does the IAF view complaints of sexual harassment from women officers?
AOA: In accordance with the landmark judgment of the Supreme Court in the case of Vishaka vs State of Rajasthan, a comprehensive mechanism has been put in place in the IAF. We have adopted the principle of zero tolerance and have always taken prompt disciplinary action in such cases. Our aim is to provide an environment in which women officers feel completely secured to work alongside their male counterparts.