First ever IAF CASVAC using night vision devices
Indian Air Force successfully completed a casualty evacuation at night using Night Vision Goggles through a narrow valley close to the border for the first time in the history of the Indian Air Force.
Headquarters Eastern Air Command of Indian Air Force was approached by an operational division of the Indian Army with an emergency request at 1630 hrs on 20 Aug 07 for evacuating two casualties, one with a serious head injury. The helipad being located in the narrow valley close to the international border, the late hours of the day, marginal weather conditions and the deteriorating health of the casualty necessitated a prompt decision to undertake the evacuation in a helicopter using Night Vision Goggles.
12 minutes after the request was received the most qualified aircrew from Air Force Station Mohanbari were launched using a Mi-17 helicopter, after a meticulous planning and co-ordination. Surmounting low visibility conditions and turbulent weather during monsoons, the attempt was made to evacuate the patient from Kibitoo helipad to Jorhat Air Force Hospital. The professional flying which involved about four hours of flight time was courageously undertaken. This enabled the saving of the lives of two critically injured soldiers. This type of casualty evacuation at night using Night Vision Goggles through a narrow valley close to the border was undertaken for the first time in the history of the Indian Air Force.
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