US Air Force Chief flies’Made in India’ aircraft; Becomes 1st Foreign Military Chief to fly ‘Tejas’
Jodhpur, February 3: India’s one of the best indigenous light combat aircraft, Tejas was today flown by General David L Goldfein, Chief of Staff of US Air Force, that took off from the Jodhpur Air Force Station. Also, he became the 1st foreign military Chief to fly Tejas aircraft. This was an adventurous gesture to deepen ties between Indian and US Air Force.
"There is already a strong relationship between our two air forces and I'm looking forward to making it stronger," said General David L Goldfein earlier in his Facebook post.
He also tweeted, “I’m also very proud of the strong ongoing relationship forged between the @IAF_MCC and the Rhode Island Air National Guard’s 143rd Airlift Wing.”
Indian Air Force (IAF) in a tweet said, “General David L Goldfein, Chief of Staff of the US Air Force, is on an official visit to India. He flew a sortie in ‘Made in India’ LCA Tejas aircraft at AF Stn Jodhpur today.”
General Goldfein was accompanied by Air Vice Marshal AP Singh as co-pilot during the sortie, Defence Officials said.
The top-ranking US military officer had reached India on Thursday on an official visit to deepen relations.
He also referred to the IAF's achievement of the C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft that is capable of lifting tanks to the border with China and Pakistan. "The IAF operates the second largest C-17 fleet in the world and continues to mature their fleet operation to support regional mobility needs," the US Air Force Chief said.