The Lightnings Family

Generations of Lightnings assemble under the benign gaze of their current steeds. In the picture is a Service Chief,Air Marshals (serving and retired),IAF legends from different eras. Also in the picture are folks who can do 'Anything and Everything in a

SKAT Backdrop

The Suryakiran Aerobatic Team(SKAT) conducts a display profile with a Su30 MKI in the foreground. Co-incidentally,May 27 was the 10th Anniversary of SKAT,which traces its legacy back to the "Thunderbolt Aerobatic Team" by Lightnings.

Lightning Pull Up

20 Sqn's Flight Commander Wing Comander N N Sinha ,pulls up in front of the Distinguished Spectators at AFS Lohegaon during the Lightnings Golden Jubilee Display.

Lightning Bank

Wing Commander NN Sinha executes a 70 degree bank immediately after a short unstick.This is the only longest duration(of just a few seconds!) when the Plan form view of the magnificient Su30 is visible to the audience.

Touch Down

The CO and the CNS taxi back to dispersal after landing.Both pilots have their heads down in the cockpit,which shows their involvement with procedures even after landing.

Taxi Back

The CO crosses the Lohegaon runway intersection to return to 20 Sqn Technical Area.Across the Runway reside 30 Sqn Rhinos and 6 Sqn Jaguars making Lohegaon AFS an important base of the IAF.

Senior Lightnings in the Air

Photographers watch as the three MKI formation splits over Lohegaon AFS. The centre aircraft was flown by Lightning Leader,Wing Commander Ajay Rathore and had the Chief of Naval Staff,Admiral Arun Prakash in the cockpit as well.

Last of the Direct Deliveries

SB050 was the last MKI that was delivered direct from Russia. It was part of the batch that consisted of SB041 to SB050

Sukhoi Su-MKI SB028

SB028 formed the background for the Lightning family photo

A very happy grey eagle!

The Chief of Naval Staff,Admiral Arun Prakash,smiles for our camera after landng from his sortie. After qualifying as F-Ops on the IN's Seahawk carrier-based fighter,the then Lt.Prakash was posted to 20 Sqn IAF on an exchange appointment.He served wit

Lightning Leader with the Grey Eagle.

Wing Commander Ajay Rathore has a smile on his face as the CNS describes his sortie in the Su30 MKI. 'Grey Eagle' is a naval term for the senior most aviator in the Navy.

Time for the Suryakiran display

Wing Commander Rathore escorts Admiral Arun Prakash to the viewing area in time for the SKAT Display.

AVM Cecil Parker with the Naval Chief and his wife and Gp Capt Marwah

Adm.Prakash has served under the legendary 'Boss' Parker in the 1971 war flying the Hunter.Later under Wing Commander Marwaha,who was the CO of the IAF's sole MR Sqn flying the Super Constellation No.6 'Dragons' at Lohegaon in the late 70s.Arun Prakash wa

Thunderbolt 1 with a few Suryakirans

The founding CO of the Thunderbolts,the IAF's legendary Hunter Display Team Air Marshal(Retd) 'Ben' Brar is shown here discussing Aerobatics with SKAT Members (LtoR)Flt Lt Simon,Wg Cdr Prajual Singh and Wg Cdr Ramesh.

Grey eagle with the Lightning and Suryakiran Bosses

Admiral Arun Prakash flanked by Wg Cdr Sandeep Bansal,CO 52 Sqn Suryakirans on his left and Wg Cdr Ajay Rathore,CO 20 Sqn Lightnings.The patches worn in this picture show the full spectrum of India's fixed wing airpower.

With dignitaries in the Mess.

The Navy Chief and Mrs Prakash with other dignitaries during the event

AVM Parker signs the Lightnings Board

AVM Parker signs the Lightnings attendance board at the event

Boss Parker releases the Special Cover

AVM Parker releases the First Day Cover and brochure released by the APS to commemorate the event.

Wg Cdr Rathore receives a memento

Wg Cdr Rathore, the CO receives a memento on behalf of the lightnings.

WAC AOC-in-C signs the FDC

Air Marshal A K Singh, AOC-in-C Western Air Command autographs the special FDC Plaque

Air Marshal A K Singh releases a brochure

Air Marshal A K Singh releases a brochure during the Lightnings Celebrations.

Details on the First Day Cover

The First Day cover released on the Golden Jubilee of the Lightnings.

BR Photographer with the Suryakirans

Members of the SuryaKiran team standing next to the CO WinCo Sandeep Bansal

COs prepare to toast the Lightnings.

The current and former Commanding Officers of the Lightnings down the years get together to open up Champagne on mess night.

Current and former COs of the Lightnings display a commemorative board.

The current and former Commanding Officers of the Lightnings down the years get together to open up Champagne on mess night. L to R : Air Cmde Keshav Bewoor, Air Marshal (Retd) P S Pingale (in Civvies), Wg Cdr Limaye (in wheel chair), Air Marshal (Retd) P

Its Cake Time!

The current and former Commanding Officers of the Lightnings down the years get together .