This has been not only the first time that a C-130J lands on Agra-Lucknow Expressway, but also the first time that an Indian Air Force transport aircraft take part in this kind of exercise
Taken on Oct. 25, 2017, the interesting video in this post show Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft kicking off the third road runway exercise on a stretch of Agra-Lucknow Expressway.
The drill was opened by a C-130J Super Hercules cargo aircraft which dropped special forces commandos that secured the landing zone before the arrival of the fighter jets.
Noteworthy this has been not only the first time that a C-130J lands on Agra-Lucknow Expressway, but also the first time that an IAF transport aircraft take part in this kind of exercise.
As we have already explained IAF has already landed on the Unnao stretch of Agra-Lucknow Expressway seven of its Sukhoi Su-30 and Mirage 2000 fighters in November and on the airstrip at Saifai village (Etawah) in May last year.
The 3.3-km stretch (whose construction has been funded by IAF) of the 302-km expressway can be used to perform emergency landings by fighter jets and transport planes when the military airfields are not available.
Noteworthy several countries conduct this type of drill to ensure air operations continue even after an airbase has been knocked out by enemy forces or natural disaster.
Photo credit: PTI