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Sarang Aerobatic Team to Participate in LIMA

After enthralling audiences at home and in Abu Dhabi and Singapore, the Sarang aerobatic display team of the Indian Air Force now plans to impress crowds at the Langkawi International Maritime Aerospace 2005 show in Malaysia and a display in Indonesia later this month.
Formed in September 2003, the team-- based at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bangalore-- has performed outside India at the Asian Aerospace Show at Singapore last year and Al Ain Aerobatic Show at Abu Dhabi in January earlier this year. At Abu Dhabi, the team stood third amongst ten highly competent aerobatic teams of the world, making the nation and the Indian Air Force proud.
The Sarang team is scheduled to visit South East Asia from November 28 to December 20 for participation in the Langkawi International Maritime Aerospace 2005 show in Malaysia and to conduct a display in Indonesia.
The team is led by Wing Commander Shashank Mishra, who is not only a founder-member of the team but has also been instrumental in graduating the team from the erstwhile three aircraft to the existing four aircraft display team. The team flies the 'Advanced Light Helicopter' (ALH) Dhruv.
The Sarang formation is headed by Wing Commander Shashank Mishra and Squadron Leader Priye Sharma in the lead helicopter. The leader is accompanied by Wing Commander Vikas Jetly and Squadron Leader SK Menon as 'Sarang 2', Squadron Leader Shailendra Pandey and Wg Cdr MB Mathews as 'Sarang 3', and Wing Commander Umesh Patkar and Squadron Leader S Ramesh as 'Sarang 4'.
The 'Sarang 5' crew manning the 'stand-by' helicopter comprises Wing Commander Neeraj Sharma and Squadron Leader Pawan Dhoreliya.
The team's Flight Safety Officer Squadron Leader Pawan Dhoreliya closely monitors the team's flight profile ensuring safe performance while Squadron Leader Rajesh Verma, the team's Engineering Officer, takes care of the technical requirements of the team. Flight Lieutenant Chithra, the team's administrator and commentator, translates the team's seamless performance into words for the spectators.
Though the Sarang team is barely two years old, it is not only one of the highly professional aerobatic teams of the world but also one of the very few operational helicopter display teams of the world.
Besides, the team has contributed immensely during natural calamities-- the supportive role played by the team during flood relief at Belgaum this year has received kudos from the civil authorities.

New Delhi 2005-11-25