National Air Force Day | Operation Rahat: When IAF completed world's biggest heliborne rescue operation to save thousands in flood-hit Uttarakhand

The Indian Air Force has been a force to reckon with whenever pressed into service against the foes. However, the brave hearts of the force have carried out several rescue operations across the country -- the ones in Uttarakhand in 2013 and Kerala in 2018 being among the most demanding. As the guardians of Indian skies turn 89 today, here is a look back at 'Operation Rahat' launched by the IAF after Uttarakhand was rocked by flash floods in 2013.

Updated on:

08 Oct 2021, 5:43 am

2 min read

IAF conducted ‘Operation Rahat’, world’s biggest heliborne evacuation and rescue operation till date, in Uttarakhand when the hill state was ravaged by flash-floods in June 2013. (Photo | PTI)

IAF rescued about 25,000 people stranded in the floods, using 45 helicopters and bout 150 pilots and 400 air-crew. (Photo | PTI)

It is estimated that the IAF helicopters flew for 1318 hours and carried 800 tons of relief materials in Uttarakhand alone as a part of 'Operation Rahat.' (Photo | PTI)

IAF squads not only brought trapped people to safety but also ferried rescue workers and doctors along with equipment, food and medicine to Kedarnath. (Photo | PTI)

Mobile phones played a vital role in cording the rescue missions as the young pilots of the IAF effectively used WhatsApp and other applications to exchange photos, maps and other information. (Photo | PTI)

The dauntless officers of the Force is said to have worked for over 15 hours in a single stretch to locate and bring stranded civilians to safety. (Photo | PTI)

These numbers are without counting the first phase of the operation when a total of 19,600 people were airlifted and a total of 3,82,400 kg of materials were transported. Air Vice-Marshal SRK Nair was the IAF coordinator on the ground at Uttarakhand. (Photo | PTI)

By the end of June IAF pressed into service C-130J Super Hercules aircraft - customised for covert special operations and are capable of landing at makeshift and short runways. (Photo | AP)

An Antonov-32 aircraft was employed to deliver engineering equipment of Border Roads Organisation to the nearest air field from where it would be airlifted by Mi-26, the world's largest helicopter, to help the road constructing body to repair roads. (Photo | PTI)

Mi 17 medium twin-turbine transport helicopters, HAL Dhruv (light utility helicopters), Cheetah Helicopter, Mil Mi-26 heavy transport helicopter, AN 32s transport aircraft, HS-748 transport aircraft and IL-76 heavy transport aircraft were the other aircraft used by the IAF to complete the mission. (Photo | PTI)

divided India which was under colonial rule. It was given the prefix 'Royal' by King George VI for its contribution during the Second World War. The prefix was later dropped in 1950 when India became a republic. (Photo | Shekhar Yadav/EPS)