NAY PYI TAW December 15
In order to expand the air power of the country and Tatmadaw, airplanes and helicopters were commissioned into service at the Diamond Jubilee of the Tatmadaw (Air) of Republic of Union of Myanmar held at the Flying Training Base in Meiktila this morning. Chairman of State Administration Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing attended the ceremony.
Also present were Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, wife of the Senior General, retired commanders-in-chief (Air) and their wives, retired commanders-in-chief (Navy), Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Admiral Moe Aung and wife, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Tun Aung and wife, Union level officials, Union ministers and their wives, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and their wives, the Central Command commander, air base commanders, members of War Veterans Organizations, students and distinguished guests.
After the permission to start the ceremony was asked from the Senior General, 15 PT-6 aircraft including a MTX-1A, test produced by Tatmadaw (Air), fl ew in the formation of English numeral 75 in front of the observation pavilion in commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee to salute the Senior General.
In his address, the Senior General said at this auspicious Diamond Jubilee of Tatmadaw (Air) new aircraft will be commissioned to reinforce the Air Force. In fact, diamond jubilee is a rare occasion that is very special and prestigious. So, may all the retired commanders in chief (Air) during the past 75 years, loyal in-service officers and other ranks and families and war veterans at this ceremony enjoy mental and physical well being.
The Senior General said Tatmadaw, a patriotic force, was established during the independence struggle. It is also the Union Tatmadaw formed with national races. Tatmadaw is the main institution that has the duty to protect the country from all external and internal dangers. Its sacrifices in the form of life, blood and sweat in cooperation with the people for non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national unity and perpetuation of sovereignty are obvious all along the successive periods.
Only an arm of a country, in which the three fraternal organizations — Army, Navy and Air Force — are harmoniously joining forces, can be named the Union Tatmadaw, with fine traditions.
The Senior General said that he would like to explain the emergence of the Tatmadaw (Air). The aviation science was conducted in the colonial era in Myanmar before the Second World War. General Aung San on 13 July 1947 said that the air force was essential for safeguarding the sovereignty of the State, and then, a step was paced for formation of the air force.
On 15 December 1947 when Myanmar had not regained independence yet, the Burma Air Force Act was enacted as part of giving birth to the Tatmadaw (Air). Since its establishment, the Tatmadaw (Air) has been conducting management, training and formation for serving fighting duties against internal insurgencies across the nation. The Burma Air Force-BAF was transformed into the Myanmar Air Force-MAF in 1990. In the year when the diamond jubilee falls, the post-fourth generation multipurpose fighters were possessed as new strength for the Tatmadaw (Air).
The mechanical section has been facilitated with aircraft and engine workshops, universal service support centres, spare part manufacturing workshops to provide regular servicing to the modern fourth generation fighters at home for carrying out repairing and maintenance of modern air-plane/helicopter, armament systems and supporting systems. Hence, regular servicing and repairs can be done for modern fourth generation fighters.
Various ethnic nationals are serving at the Tatmadaw, with the chances for participation of male and female. Since 1954, there were four female administrator officers at the Tatmadaw (Air). On 29 June 1956, Lt Daw Hla Than alone drove a glider as demonstration to unveil the new history of female service personnel of the Tatmadaw(Air).
Later, arrangements were made to give chance for women to serve State defence duties as of 2014 despite fading out of their role. Currently, those women are serving not only at administration sector but at fighter pilots, transport plane pilots and helicopter pilots in various aviation sectors of the Tatmadaw (Air) shouldering with the men pilots in the State defence duties.
Along the history of the Tatmadaw (Air), it can be seen that all ranks from the Tatmadaw (Air) from the Commander-in-Chiefs to the junior pilots made sacrifices for the State bravely.
The government conferred Thura title on pilot Second Lieutenant Peter who sacrificed life in the Mekong operation. Likewise, Major Ohn Khaing fell in the Chushwe-Pankauk battle in 1977 with sacrifice of life. So, the State conferred Thura title on him for his excellent braveness.
Excellent performances and victories were based on brave sacrifices of officers and other ranks serving at the Tatmadaw (Air) from its establishment to date. Those hero Tatmadaw members possessing noble prestige in sacrifice of life and limbs were awarded gallantry titles and medals by the State. So, Thiha Thura title was conferred on one personnel, Thura title on 26 personnel and gallantry medals on 117 personnel respectively. Hence, the Senior General urged all to value and preserve these fine traditions to be handed to new generations.
During the 75-year period, new generation pilots of the Tatmadaw (Air) is able to operate post-fourth generation multi-purpose fighters, stragegic transport airplanes, modern fighters and helicopters in full swing. As part of conducting the technological research, the Tatmadaw (Air) itself manufactured MTX-1A airplane and SR-1 UAV on test.
The Tatmadaw (Air) dutifully served the assignments in national defence duty, peaceand tranquility of the region, prevalence of law and order, search and rescue measures, and humanitarian aid. Hence, the Senior General expressed that all members of the Tatmadaw (Air) who served and are serving their duties in respective sectors during the 75 years period were honoured and put on record.
With the combined strengthof the aircraft and helicopters commissioned today, the Tatmadaw (Air) will be able to conduct a far-reaching strategic operation and counter-submarine attacks with all four dimensions— space, ground, water surface and underwater— in full capacity.
The new generation is to continue to maintain the fine traditions of Tatmadaw (Air), uphold Our Three Main National Causes and actively participate in State development and defence duties. All offices and other ranks from Tatmadaw (Air) are to cooperate and work hand in hand with other comrade corps. They are to serve the assigned duties and responsibilities by copying and taking pride of what their seniors have achieved. The aircraft commissioned today must be systematically handled and flown in accord with one military code of ethic “Value your weapon,” to promote the Tatmadaw’s image.
All Tatmadaw families are praised and recorded for their history-making duties throughout the period of 75 years. They will have to continue serving their duties ardently in future also.
Next, Commander-in-Chief (Air) General Tun Aung spokes words of thanks for the commissioning of aircraft and choppers. Chief of Staff (Air) Lt-Gen Zaw Win Myint announced the commissioning.
Then, General Tun Aung presented commemorative toy aircaraft and helicpoters to the Senior General.
Then followed flying demonstrations with salutation and acrobatics. According to the agenda, a transport helicopter hanging down a State flag and three attack helicopters handing down the flags of Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air) started flying in composite trial formation. Meanwhile, four different aircraft were flying in composite box formation, a light transport aircraft with hoist skills, a transport aircraft demonstrating fire drills with the use of Bambi bucket and a reconnaissance plane and two transport aircraft flying in arrow head formation.
Then, three transport aircraft of different types flew in composite arrow head formation, one jet fighter and three test-driving jet fighters in composite box formation, three test-driving jet fighters releasing smoke trails of yellow, white and blue colours representing the Tatmadaw (Air), one bomber and four light jet fighters in composite arrow head formation with salutation, one multi-purpose jet fighter and four interceptor aircraft in composite arrow head formation with salutation, and six multi-purpose jet fighters in wedge formation as a sign of saluting the Senior General.
Then, the multirole fighter jet performed flying salutes and displayed maneuverability by making high speed flights, combat turns to dodge potential counterattacks from enemy’s air defence systems by making an abrupt right turn and zooming upward, Level 8 horizontal flights in the form of 8, right or left Aileron Rolls to play a trick on charging enemy aircraft, Maximum Banking Turns to take the upper hand in dogfights by making Radius of Turns and flight capabilities by making maximum speed flights and slow flights.
Then, an Su-30 SME, a 4+ generation multirole heavy fighter jet, performed the flying salute and displayed high performance maneuver capabilities.
During the demonstration of maneuverability, the Su-30 made tail slides in which the aircraft makes a vertical flight and reduces the speed to zero to slide back vertically and flap spins, in which the aircraft spins back to lower altitude. The Flap Spin Maneuver is a flight that other fighter jets cannot perform. As high technologies used in manufacturing the engine, fuselage and flight control systems of Su-30s enable it to perform the Flap Spin Maneuver.
Then, it performed the Zoom & Dive with 90 degree Maneuver used in zooming vertically to higher altitudes as fast as possible and diving back and changing direction abruptly at low speeds, High AOA Rolls, which enable the fighter to position itself in front of charging enemy aircraft to launch attacks, flying salutes to the Senior General at the speed of 100 Km/hr and in slow flight.
The Su-30 also displayed its maneuverability to land back to its airfield at any speed and altitude under any circumstance by performing Maximum Banking Turn & Loop for Land Maneuver, in which the aircraft took off from the runway, turned, zoomed vertically and looped back for landing to the airfield.
Then, the Senior General and party released 75 birds to mark the Diamond Jubilee Anniversary of the Tatmadaw (Air) and sprinkled scented water on the commissioned aircraft and helicopters. Afterwards, they viewed the aircraft and helicopters and had a record photo taken.
Next, the Senior General greeted the pilots who participated in the skill demonstration and presented a cash bonus to them.
The Su-30 SME, which participated in the ceremony to commission airplanes and helicopters, is a 4+ generation multi-role fighter jet, and it is the first time for the Tatmadaw (Air) to use such a heavy fighter.
FTC-2000G is a jet trainer and light combat aircraft and can be used for air warfare, air to surface warfare, close air support, interception, and armed reconnaissance. Ka-28 is an anti-submarine helicopter and can be used for maritime reconnaissance, tracking and destroying submerged submarines and search and rescue missions. FT-7 interceptor aircraft and K-8W aircraft are types of fighter jet trainer and light combat aircraft. They are for air to air warfare, air to surface warfare, close air support, interception, armed reconnaissance and transfer of training. Y-8 is a transport aircraft for carrying VIPs, passengers and cargo and it can also be used for parachuting, maritime reconnaissance, search and rescue missions. Such aircraft and helicopters are commissioned to reinforce the Tatmadaw (Air).
In the event of the 75th Diamond Jubilee anniversary of the Tatmadaw (Air), aircrafts and helicopters being commissioned into service and capable of protecting not only the air and the ground but also the water will be great benefit to the state and the military.
In addition, on the evening of December 14, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and members attended the opening ceremony of the 75th Diamond Jubilee anniversary of the Tatmadaw (Air) and commemorative displays of honor for airplanes and helicopters being commissioned into service, souvenir shops from various air base headquarters and local traditional stalls.
First, the Senior General opened the opening ceremony of the commemorative gallery and souvenir shops.
After that, together with the participants of the ceremony, the Senior General toured the aviation history records displayed in the gallery to commemorate the 75th Diamond Jubilee anniversary of the Tatmadaw (Air), Tatmadaw (Air) uniforms that have been used for ages, Tatmadaw (Air) historical photos, photographs of those who served as Commanders-in-Chief (Air), historic plane and helicopters and their battle records, avionics equipment used in planes and helicopters, modern new generation fighter aircraft models and pilot accessories, weapons and ammunitions used in the Tatmadaw (Air), photographs of those who received the merit badge from the Tatmadaw (Air), photo records of the planes and helicopters being commissioned into service, photo records of the training of the officers, other ranks and substituted staff of the Tatmadaw (Air), documentary photos of the international relations of the Tatmadaw (Air), documentary photos of the evolution of the Tatmadaw (Air), documentary photos of successive Commanders-in-Chief (Air) giving awards to award-winning pilots and the avionics equipment manufactured by the Tatmadaw (Air).
Then the Senior General, wife and members signed the book commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Diamond Jubilee of the Tatmadaw (Air) and toured souvenir shops from various air base headquarters, traditional food stalls, bookstores and stores displaying consumer goods produced by the military.
The Senior General greeted officers, other ranks and family members cordially.
