Air Force Station In India

Panagarh Air Force Station

Panagarh AFS, also called the Panagarh Airport is one of the key West Bengal based airbases in the Indian subcontinent which mainly operates to train the Indian Air Forces. Owned and operated by the Indian Government, this airport remains under the control of India’s Air Forces which have been using it for the multiple purposes. Mainly this airbase is meant to continue armed forces trainings and so does it play a pivotal role to maintain the internal security of the country from this airbase in the region which proves strategically important for security purposes. It is one such airbase out of the many spread in various nooks and corners of the country.

Located at the elevation of 240 ft., from the sea level, Panagarh AFS geographically coordinates at 23°28′28″N 087°25′39″E. This airport remains an ultimate airbase in the region which constantly keep an eye on the security of eastern borders which India shares with the rest countries. An important fact which shouldn’t be forgotten is that Panagarh AFS has welcomed numerous development initiatives ever since it was established in the pre-independent India and then it being handed over to the Armed Forces of free India. This airbase serves the Panagarh area to the Air Force to ensure that this region maintains best of the security measures from here to avoid all sorts of external attacks.

History

Panagarh AFS has its enriched history which links this airbase to the period of the World War II. This airbase had been used as an airfield once at that period in the capacity of the supply transport airfield for three years from 1942-1945. The United States Army Air Forces Tenth Air Force and would have control over it during that time to systematize their operation. Their Air technical Service Command could get a repair and maintenance depot at this airbase which was called B-24 Liberator heavy bombers. They would operate it from this airport itself.

As Panagarh AFS came under Indian Air Forces control after India’s independence it welcomed various developmental initiatives. The Air Forces are ready to deploy six mid-air refueling tanker aircraft at this airbase sooner or later and for that effective steps have already been taken place. The purpose is to strengthen striking range of India’s fighter planes Su-30 MKIs which is through keeping in view the important security measures to ensure things go well in this area which shares international borders with China. Proposals are already in pipeline to select Panagarh AFS as a proposed location of soon to be developed headquarters of Army Mountain Corps.

Neighboring stations operating from the different locations nearby Panagarh AFS do strengthen it in the security measures of the whole northeastern region. A few such airbases located in the close proximity include Madhaiganj, Ondal, Shanti Niketan, Bankura, Burnpur, Burdwan and Dumka amongst others.

Runways

Panagarh AFS has its modern well-developed runway which has been built from the asphalt concrete. This single runway has been designated at 15/33 whose surface is from asphalt and it measures to 2,743 by 46 meters to cater to training of the Air Forces operating from this airbase.

Units at Panagarh AFS Base

Being an airbase mainly used for training purposes Panagarh AFS remain apart and do operate with its various Units to train forces. They therefore ensure total internal security of country from this airbase for effective control of border areas nearby it.

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