The Day Kolkata was ‘Bombed’
To those in the know, November 14, 2022, was the date when several vital assets in Kolkata were ‘taken out’ by a lone F-16 fighter aircraft that managed to squeeze through a gap in defences. Interestingly, this F-16 Fighting Falcon had taken off from Air Force Station Kalaikunda and was part of a team from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) participating in Joint Military Training (JMT) with the Indian Air Force (IAF).
What Actually Happened?
This was during the bilateral stage of the JMT when both air forces were jointly simulating air combat. IAF was participating with Sukhoi Su-30MKIs, Mig-29s, Jaguars, and Tejas LCA. On November 14, two teams were formed, each comprising both RSAF and IAF aircraft. After all, one of the goals of a JMT is coordination between the two forces. The Red Team members were the ‘bandits’ or ‘bogeys’ who would attempt to cross the Bengal coastline. Their target was the city of Kolkata. The Blue Team members were the defenders. Their role would be to ‘bring down‘ or at least drive away the ‘bandits’ as far away from the city as possible. The IAF’s radar station at Salua, close to AFS Kalaikunda, picked up the ‘bogeys’ as they approached from the Bay of Bengal. The defenders were scrambled and after take-off, located their targets. A dogfight soon ensued over the skies of Bengal.
The Red Team had done their homework though. While the rest kept the Blue Team engaged, one aircraft was to slip through and reach Kolkata. This it succeeded in doing. It buzzed the northern suburbs of the city, and was picked up by the Kolkata airport ATC, before flying back to Kalaikunda. This was a great piece of learning for the defenders.
The importance of AFS Kalaikunda in honing the skills of pilots Over the years, AFS Kalaikunda has evolved into a favorite destination for air forces of friendly nations wanting to exercise with the IAF. These JMT sessions are also vital for IAF pilots to hone their skills and learn new tactics in air combat.
Kalaikunda, located about 140 km to the west of Kolkata is in the East Midnapore district. Surrounded by Sal forests, the air base has played host to the air forces of several countries, including the USA, UK, France, and of course Singapore.
These exercises have their share of interesting anecdotes. In 2005, the Left Front government in West Bengal decided to protest against an exercise at AFS Kalaikunda between the United States Air Force (USAF) and the IAF. This was the 2005 edition of Cope India. Left Front cadres moved towards the air base in hordes, shouting slogans, red flags, and banners in hand. The IAF top brass wasn’t too bothered. Security within the base had been beefed up and there was no way the demonstrators could breach the perimeter. In fact, the protesters had no such intentions either. Early in the morning, an officer of the USAF had left Kalaikunda for nearby Kharagpur on some important work. It was during his return to the air base that he spotted the huge gathering outside. The USAF officer nearly freaked out and a helicopter had to be sent to pick him up. The officer later told those in the IAF that he had never seen so many people together and the crowd outnumbered the population of many US cities.
For countries like Singapore, a base like Kalaikunda is vital. Small countries don’t have sufficient space for the air forces to practice. AFS Kalaikunda offers a huge air-to-surface range at Dudhkundi and an air-to-air one over the Bay of Bengal. Of course, visiting air forces have to pay for whatever they consume, be it fuel for their aircraft or food for the pilots and aircrew.
What Does India Get In Return?
Joint exercises result in enhancing ties. In the case of countries like Singapore, such exercises help in keeping them out of China’s ever-expanding reach. This is also an event where Indian capability can be shown off. In 2017, Singapore defense minister Ng Eng Hen flew in a Tejas LCA at AFS Kalaikunda.
While experienced IAF pilots get an opportunity to interact with their foreign counterparts and see their aircraft up close during joint training, it is a great opportunity for rookies. AFS Kalaikunda is home to two squadrons of Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers (AJTs). Several trainee pilots are present at the base at all times and get an opportunity to pick up a lot.
Exercises With Foreign Air Forces And The Local Economy
The JMT with RSAF was the first international exercise to be conducted at Kalaikunda after a two-year hiatus. This was due to the pandemic. The worst sufferers were the locals. For them, exercises at AFS Kalaikunda are a source of additional income. There is an increased demand for local produce such as fresh vegetables, poultry items, and milk whenever foreign air forces visit the air base. Locals are also engaged in odd jobs. During one exercise, the IAF even engaged some Dhakis (rural drummers) to beat the grassy patch next to the runway to scare away birds that may be roosting there.
The Strategic Importance Of The Air Base
Even when war games with other air forces are not taking place, AFS Kalaikunda is busy hosting fighter squadrons of the IAF. These squadrons, from bases across the country, visit Kalaikunda to practice air-to-surface and air-to-air firing of missiles and other weapons. Whenever a new weapons system is inducted, trials are conducted over the Bay of Bengal, given the extensive airspace available and significant distance from a neighboring country. The airspace where such firing takes place is also not a very busy one though Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) are issued well in advance to divert civil flights.
Kalaikunda is also of great importance to the defenses of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This is the nearest airbase on the mainland. Though an air base does exist at Car Nicobar, flight operations from there can be tricky during bad weather. Aircraft like Sukhoi Su-30MKIs could reach the Andaman and Nicobar Islands from Kalaikunda in less than an hour (maybe less if mid-air refueling facilities are available). Hence, whenever the weather packs up around the archipelago, the IAF operates several of its assets from Kalaikunda.
The coastal region around Kalaikunda is also home to several ports and port-based industries. AFS Kalaikunda plays a major role in air defense for them as well as the major cities in the eastern part of the country. Primarily used as trainers, the Hawks are capable of participating in combat during emergencies.
AFS Kalaikunda From a Historical Perspective
The air base at Kalaikunda, along with several others in the vicinity, played an active role during World War II. After Independence, AFS Kalaikunda was a key base during the 1971 Indo-Pak War.
Kalaikunda has traditionally been home to the ‘Young Ones’ of the IAF. The ‘Young Ones’ are pilots who have completed their basic flying training. Their final stage of training is completed at the Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) at AFS Kalaikunda before being posted to squadrons. Initially, the OCU used Mig-21 aircraft. The training facility at Kalaikunda is now known as OCU B and uses the Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers.
