Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria on Wednesday (28 April) called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and briefed him about the Covid related operations being conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The Air Force chief informed the Prime Minister that the IAF has ordered 24x7 readiness of the entire heavy lift fleet and substantial numbers of the medium lift fleets to operate in a hub and spoke model to rapidly meet all Covid related tasking across the country and overseas.

Aircrew for all fleets have been augmented to ensure round the clock operations, he added, a statement by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said.

PM Modi stressed on the need to increase the speed, scale and safety of operations in transporting oxygen tankers and other essential material, the PMO said.

Further, PM Modi spoke about the need to ensure that the IAF personnel engaged in Covid related operations remain safe from infection. He also spoke about the need to ensure safety of all Covid related operations.

The Air chief informed PM Modi that IAF is deploying big as well as medium sized aircrafts to cover all terrains. He briefed PM Modi about a dedicated COVID Air Support Cell set up by the IAF to ensure faster co-ordination with different ministries and agencies to Covid related operations.

PM Modi also inquired about the health of IAF personnel and their families.

The Air Chief apprised PM Modi that near saturation vaccination coverage has been achieved in the IAF. He also informed that hospitals under IAF have increased covid facilities and also allowing civilians wherever possible.