Air Force Station In India

Jodhpur Air Force Station

Located in the city of Jodhpur, Jodhpur AFS or Jodhpur airport had been planned as a key military airbase which was later opened for the civilians as well and still runs as a successful commercial airport. This permission was given for the commercial airlines operation for the expansion process. This airport has now been owned and managed by the Airports Authority of India.

Geographically coordinating at 26°15′04″N 073°02′56″E, Jodhpur AFS or Jodhpur airport is a full-fledged airport today with its well-planned runways and terminals. The civil enclave airport remains an important landmark in Jodhpur city of India’s Rajasthan state. The airbase of this airport is shared by the Indian Air Force as well so at times the airport is denoted with Jodhpur AFS which is actually an airside and does operate in coordination.

History

When looking back into the history of Jodhpur AFS since its inception then one can witness several important aspects that come into limelight. The then Maharajah Umaid Singh would order for the development of Jodhpur Flying Club in 1920 at a tiny airfield nearby Chittar Palace in Jodhpur city. This small attempt of him grew in the leaps and bounds that turned into an airfield in mere three decades.

The Royal Air Force (RAF) used the airfield extensively during World War II. It was witnessed further for the development through constant upgrades over the period. The Indian Air Force started using this airfield after country’s independence and then emerged into remarkable Jodhpur AFS the sooner.

Historically speaking, Jodhpur AFS has remained the home of the Flying College that was operated and run by Indian Air Force until India fought 1965 war. Further developments continued until very recently while it was permitted for commercial flight operations.

Once being commercialized, this airport has seen drastic changes and so are the fast improvements in it from modern baggage screening to ticketing area spread in 12-acre civil enclave portion at the airport itself to uniquely designed terminal building of 5690 sq., meters which it owns. This airport can now easily handle 430 passengers every single hour respectively with the terminal operating through the seven check-in counters and its three boarding gates which turn the airport a fast developing airport in the region.

The concrete apron of Jodhpur AFS adjoining it do measure to 140 by 100 meters where three parking bays have been created to ensure both A320 and 1ATR aircrafts can be adjusted simultaneously.

Runways

The runway at Jodhpur AFS has been developed in a systematic manner which now orients at 05/23 with its 2743 meters length and its 45 meters width, With addition of the Instrument Landing System its airfield has the perfect night landing features and facilities alongside other tools from DVOR/DME to NDB that makes this airport a completely modern one.

Units at Jodhpur AFS Base

Jodhpur Airbase distinguishes itself with it being both Air Force base and systematic commercial operation airport. Indian Air Force mainly operates MIG-27s, MIG-29s, SU-30 MKI and MIG-25s from this airbase itself. This airbase would have once remained an important airfield especially during 1999 while India fought Kargil War with the neighboring county of Pakistan.

Kendriya Vidyalayas

Jodhpur AFS also operates an Air Force School or Kendriya Vidyalaya which train the Air Forces for the internal security of the country.

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