Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground

{{Infobox airport

| name = Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground

| ensign = 60px

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| ICAO = VEMK

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| type = Military

| owner-oper = Indian Air Force

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| operator = Indian Air Force

| city-served =

| location = Mechuka, Shi Yomi district, Arunachal Pradesh, India

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| elevation-m = 2000

| coordinates = {{coord|28.60|N|94.12|E|display=inline,title}}

| pushpin_map = India Arunachal Pradesh#India

| pushpin_label = VEMK

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| r1-number = 10/28

| r1-length-f = 4383

| r1-length-m = 1336

| r1-surface = Asphalt

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Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground is an Indian Air Force airstrip located at Mechuka in Shi Yomi district of Arunachal Pradesh, India. It is an Advance Landing Ground (ALG) of Indian Air Force.

History

In June 2019, An Indian Air Force Plane carrying 13 en route from Jorhat Airport in Assam went missing while en route to the airstrip.[https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/air-forces-an-32-aircraft-that-took-off-from-assams-jorhat-with-13-on-board-missing-2047193 Air Force Plane Carrying 13 Missing After Taking Off From Assam] The aircraft's wreckage was found in the Siang district after eight days after being spotted by an MI 17 helicopter that was on a search & rescue mission.[https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/missing-an-32-jet-found-in-arunachal-pradesh-1546574-2019-06-11 Missing An-32: Wreckage of aircraft found in Arunachal after 8 days, confirms Air Force]

Military usage

The area has a significant military presence, which also creates some employment opportunities for civilians. The airstrip is used frequently to bring in vital supplies from Assam via Antonov-32 aircraft and helicopters. The runway was renovated, strengthened, upgraded to a concrete runway and extended to 4,700 feet in 2017 by the government.In July 2018, Indian Air Force made a history by landing the C-17 Globemaster III at Mechuka ALG.It would make the military logistics transportation easier to the border areas in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, India.{{Cite news |date=2018-07-14 |title=IAF's mighty C-17 Globemaster makes maiden landing at Mechuka |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/iafs-mighty-c-17-globemaster-makes-maiden-landing-at-mechuka/articleshow/55229097.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-01-10 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}{{Cite news |date=2016-11-03 |title=With eye on China, Indian Air Force lands massive C-17 Globemaster transport plane close to the border |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/with-eye-on-china-indian-air-force-lands-massive-c-17-globemaster-transport-plane-close-to-the-border/articleshow/55228484.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-01-10 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}

Civil aviation usage

There is a twice-weekly helicopter service offered under the UDAN scheme on Monday and Saturday. Government of Arunachal Pradesh has invited bids from the private airlines to operate a 9-searter fixed-wing air service which will not be under the UDAN scheme.[http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/arunachal-pradesh-plans-fixed-wing-flight-service-to-airstrip-near-china-border/article23890999.ece Arunachal Pradesh plans fixed-wing flight service to Mechuka, closest to China border], The Hindu, 15 May 2018.[https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/udan-reaches-arunachal-pradesh-first-commercial-flight-flagged-off-118052200029_1.html UDAN reaches Arunachal Pradesh; first commercial flight flagged off]

As of December 2022, the new passenger terminal for handling passenger traffic is almost completed, and is expected to begin operations soon with Alliance Air's Dornier 228 passenger aircraft.{{Cite web |last=NEWS |first=NE NOW |date=2022-12-04 |title=Further boost to air connectivity in Arunachal Pradesh, Mechukha to get new airport |url=http://nenow.in/north-east-news/arunachal-pradesh/boost-air-connectivity-arunachal-pradesh-civil-terminal-mechukha.html |access-date=2022-12-06 |website=NORTHEAST NOW |language=en-US}}

References

External links

[https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/iaf-to-have-7-operational-advanced-landing-grounds-in-arunachal-pradesh-in-a-month/articleshow/49809013.cms?from=mdr IAF's ALG]

Category:Shi Yomi district

Category:Airports in Arunachal Pradesh

Category:Indian Air Force bases

Category:Airports with year of establishment missing