Wednesday, March 23 2005 10:35 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Hindon (UP): : The first ever expedition of the Indian Air Force (IAF) to Mount Everest was yesterday (Mar 22, 2005) flagged off by Air Chief Marshal S P Tyagi in Hindon yesterday amidst a spectacular display of power-para gliding and micro light flying by IAF personnel.

The IAF mountaineering team, which will begin its expedition on March 29 from New Delhi, includes 23 personnel led by Wing Commander Amit Chowdhury.

The flagging off ceremony was conducted in a unique manner at the Hindon Air Force Station in Uttar Pradesh, where the mountaineers delivered the customary snow axe to the Air Chief Marshal through a stunning para-gliding display.

Later, presenting the snow axe to the mountaineering team, Tyagi said the expedition was a result of three years of gruelling practice by the team even in the breathtaking heights of Siachen.

"It was in 2002, that the IAF first decided to scale the Mount Everest. Three years of hard work and meticulous preparation as gone into the project and our aim is to produce value-added air warriors out our men," Tyagi said.

The Air Chief also had a look at the mountaineering equipments put up for display at the venue and put in a word of praise for the stunning micro light flying display held before the function.

"The team would be scaling Mount Everest through the most toughest Chinese (southern) route which requires very strenuous efforts from the mountaineers. However, we are hopeful that the rigorous practice of our men would help them accomplish the mission successfully," Air Vice Marshal Ranjit Kumar, the Chief co-ordinator of the team said.