IAF's C-119 Packet Veterans Reunite in Chandigarh for Biannual Gathering
Around 92 retired Indian Air Force officers, accompanied by their wives and family members, arrived in Chandigarh on Thursday for a special biannual reunion. This gathering is dedicated to the veterans who flew the iconic C-119G Packet aircraft, providing a platform to exchange stories and rekindle old memories from their service days.
Honoring Distinguished Attendees and International Guests
The event saw the participation of several high-profile retired officers, including Air Marshal B K Pandey (retd), former Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Training Command, Air Vice-Marshal Kapil Kak (retd), a renowned strategic and air warfare specialist, and Air Vice-Marshal H P Singh (retd), who was awarded the Vir Chakra for his valor during the 1971 Indo-Pak war while flying Packets. Notably, four officers traveled from the USA—Gp Capt Alvinder Chand, Wg Cdr S H Butani, Wg Cdr Vinod Ahuja, and Wg Cdr S C Mullick—while Wg Cdr Shyam Sundar made the journey from New Zealand to attend this meaningful meet.
Activities and Historical Significance
During the reunion, the veterans planned to visit the Air Force Station in Chandigarh, where they laid a wreath at the war memorial and toured the 48 Squadron, which initially operated the Packet aircraft. Wing Commander C S Grewal (retd), speaking to The Indian Express, highlighted that the Packet reunion is held every two years, with the previous one taking place in Agra in December 2023. He mentioned, "They have a beautiful museum with Packet history, allowing us to reflect on our contributions."
The C-119G Packet, inducted into the Indian Air Force in February 1964 and phased out by March 1986, played a crucial role in expanding India's military transport capabilities. According to an article in Vayu Aerospace Review shared by Wing Commander Grewal, the IAF acquired these aircraft in the late 1950s to address urgent freight and airlift needs, forming a Conversion & Training flight with No. 12 Squadron at Agra in February 1954. Known as the Flying Boxcar, this medium freight and troop transport was extensively used for airlifting supplies, troops, heavy cargo, and even aircraft, marking a significant era in Indian aviation history.
Legacy and Camaraderie
This biannual meet not only celebrates the legacy of the C-119 Packet but also fosters camaraderie among veterans, ensuring that their heroic tales and the aircraft's impact on Indian military operations are remembered and honored for generations to come.
