Sarang Helicopter Team Dazzles Silchar With First-Ever Aerobatic Air Display

An adrenaline-pumping aerobatic air display by the world-famous Sarang Helicopter Display Team of the Indian Air Force (IAF) lit up the skies over Kumbhirgram Air Force Station (AFS), Silchar, on Saturday (November 15). The breathtaking show marked the final day of the event, following two days of practice sorties over the AFS station, where the daring pilots carved patterns across the sky and left spectators spellbound. For Silchar and the entire South Assam region, this was the first event of its kind — a full-scale display by the world-renowned Sarang team.

The aerial performances featured Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) flown by highly skilled pilots, demonstrating precision flying and advanced aerobatic manoeuvres. The display wasn’t just about thrill — it showcased the prowess and strength of the IAF through ground exhibitions of helicopters, radar systems and technical equipment. Personnel of the IAF, the “Men/Women behind the Mighty Machine,” also interacted with students from various schools.

Squadron Leader Nishank Awasthi, Flight Lieutenant Pallavi Sangwan — the commentator of the air display team — and Squadron Leader Gokul addressed the press about their sorties. Among the highlights of the day was Flight Lieutenant Pallavi Sangwan’s heartwarming interaction with schoolchildren, especially young girls. From signing notebooks to even signing palms, she inspired female students and NCC cadets to stay determined and brave in their pursuits, creating emotional moments filled with hugs, cheers and wide-eyed dreams. Many students told the pilots that they, too, aspired to join the forces someday.

The Sarang Helicopter Display Team left Silchar awestruck with their breathtaking aerobatic performance, but for the team members themselves, the warmth of the audience was the biggest reward. “The kind of response we got from all the school children, NCC cadets and even from people who have come all the way from Silchar and various other places was our pleasure. We are very thankful to the station administration, who arranged everything so well. We have come from Tamil Nadu, and coming all the way to the North East, I think we have achieved our aim. All the efforts we made to come here were worth it after seeing the response. We hope we have inspired the young students to join the Indian Armed Forces,” Sangwan said.

She added, “This is the only team comprising five military helicopters. There might be other private helicopter display teams, but this is the only one belonging to the military in the entire world. It is very difficult to even hold, manoeuvre and perform such aerobatics — hats off to these pilots who do this job with such precision.”

All five helicopters in the display are indigenous HAL-made aircraft, showcasing the strength of the Indian Air Force and the spirit of Atmanirbharta. Speaking about the aircraft’s capabilities, Squadron Leader Gokul said, “Compared to other helicopters, these have rigid platforms. The advantage is that you get an immediate response — that is why we use them for aerobatics.”

Squadron Leader Nishank highlighted the platform’s versatility: “We use the same helicopter for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. We have participated in relief efforts for floods and landslides in the South, and Operation Rahat in Uttarakhand. Whenever we are called for such operations, we respond.”

Explaining the impressive manoeuvres performed by the five-aircraft formation, Gokul said, “Entry was with five aircraft together — the Arrowhead manoeuvre. After that, we changed into the India formation, where each member is lined up behind the other. Then came the Diamond formation, followed by the Dolphin’s Leap with three aircraft. Other manoeuvres included Arrow, Level Mesh, the Heart formation, and finally the Sarang Split, where the leader dips and salutes.”

Lieutenant Pallavi shared the meanings behind these formations: “Every manoeuvre has its own significance. After Arrowhead, we did Glass — like a toast to the happy occasion. The India formation represents Atmanirbharta. The Heart manoeuvre is our way of reciprocating love for the people who have given so much love to us. The Sarang Split is our salute to the nation.”

“We want to show that if it feels so adventurous to watch the display, imagine how adventurous it is for us inside the cockpit doing these manoeuvres. Through this, we want to motivate young minds to join the Air Force and the defence services,” added Nishank Awasthi.

Sending a message to young girls, Lieutenant Pallavi said, “Dare to dream and dream big. Make every effort to achieve that dream. Do hard work, don’t shy away from it, and don’t think it is not achievable.”

When asked how Silchar appears from the cockpit, the pilots smiled and replied, “Beautiful! You are blessed with a beautiful city. The environment here is very good, and we are enjoying our time. As helicopter pilots, we face challenges everywhere, but that is what we train for. Every venue has its own set of challenges. It might seem like we perform the same display everywhere, but each place requires different planning as per the region and map.”

The airfield also hosted several stalls where ground personnel showcased radar systems, mobile response setups, aircraft safety equipment, fire safety measures, and tools to scare birds or animals from runways. Exhibits on guns, technical gear, and flight-safety machinery particularly captured the curiosity of the young and ignited minds.

Photos by Rohit Dey