Bangladesh Air Force
Mission Inoculation: Military chopper takes jabs to remote Rangamati hills
The Bangladesh government's Covid-19 mass vaccination drive reached the Rangamati hills Tuesday, all thanks to the local administration and the Bangladeshi armed forces.
Barathali union of Bilaichhari upazila in Rangamati is one of the remotest parts of the Chattogram hills.
Read: 1.7mn Sinopharm vaccine doses to arrive soon
Despite beginning on August 7, the Rangamati health department struggled to take the benefits of the mega Covid-19 inoculation drive to this remote place.
Member of Parliament Dipankar Talukdar, in collaboration with the local administration and the Bangladeshi armed forces, came forward to ensure helicopter support for a team of the health department so that jabs could reach the Barathali union residents.
A helicopter of the Bangladesh Air Force took off for Bilachari on Tuesday morning from the Rangamati air base with vaccines and healthcare staffers, said Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Rashmi Chakma.
“Around 600 adults of the union will get their first Covid jab on Tuesday itself,” said Dr Rashmi. “Besides, the required medical equipment to treat Covid patients will also be provided."
Bilaichhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Mizanur Rahman said his team repeatedly failed to vist the remote union because of security and communication concerns.
Read: 2 held over taking vaccine at home in Chattogram
He thanked the local MP and the Army for finally making it possible and hoped that the collaboration would continue.
As the ruthless Delta variant of Covid-19 keeps spreading like wildfire, Bangladesh on Saturday kicked off another phase of its mass vaccination drive aimed at inoculating 35 lakh people in six days.
Indian Air chief's Bangladesh visit ‘highly significant’
India has described the two-day visit of Indian Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria to Bangladesh "highly significant" in view of the Golden Jubilee of the historic victory in 1971 War for the Liberation of Bangladesh.
The Indian Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) was invited by his counterpart Air Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan, Chief of Air Staff, Bangladesh Air Force to review the Passing Out Parade and Commissioning Ceremony at Bangladesh Air Force Academy (BAFA) in Jashore on June 28 on the occasion of ‘President Parade 2021’.
"The two-day visit was highly significant," said a media release issued by the Press Information Bureau of India on Tuesday.
BAF aircraft leaves Dhaka to bring 5 lakh doses of Corona vaccine from China
Thirteen aircrew of Bangladesh Air Force left Dhaka for China on Tuesday (May 11, 2021) morning by BAF C-130J aircraft to bring 500,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine and AD syringes.
Wing Commander Md Habibur Rahman is leading the team.
Also read: Ready to offer more support if Covid situation deteriorates in Bangladesh: China
Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat has provided necessary guidance to carry out this goodwill mission.
In compliance with the policies published by the government, the Armed Forces is conducting various activities under the direction of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Also read: BAF aircraft ferries medical aid from China
In line with this, the goodwill mission is being conducted to bring vaccine and AD syringes provided by China as a sign of its friendly relations with Bangladesh, according to a media release of the Inter Service Public Relation Directorate issued Tuesday evening.
The BAF aircraft is expected to return home on Wednesday.
Also read: Covid-19: BAF aircraft brings medical aid from S Korea
BAF's Command Safety Seminar held
The 44th Command Safety Seminar of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) has been held at Falcon Hall, Dhaka Cantonment on Wednesday .
Chief of Air Staff of the BAF Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat graced the seminar as the Chief Guest through VTC.
In his speech, the Air Chief praised Almighty Allah and appreciated all BAF personnel for achieving significant 28, safe flying hours in the year 2020 despite COVID-19 pandemic situation. The year was full of events covering operational flying activities, conducting COVID-19 related helicopter operations both day & night and operational deployments to different locations, says an Inter Service Public Relation (ISPR) directorate.
Also read: 13 trainee officers get BAF Flight Safety Officers' Course certificate
It also included ‘Missions related to COVID-19’ for collecting medical equipment from China and South Korea, sending medical support to Maldives and Lebanon while bringing our citizens from United Kingdom (UK) and Maldives, the ISPR release added.
Chief of Air Staff added that lessons learnt from past experiences are invaluable in preventing recurrences and developing a "Safety Culture".
Last year Bangladesh Air Force gathered invaluable experience in operating C-130B aircraft through Siberia and Alaska to Canada which was the first time for Bangladesh Air Force to operate in that route. Collective approach is the key to safe flying.
Also read: BAF Inter-base small arms firing competition concludes
Starting from aircrew, technicians, controllers it also includes aircraft manufacturers and overhauling agencies. So, the chief of Air Staff urged upon all to be more vigilant while enhancing close supervision and strictly following the rules & procedures.
He said that BAF had been gradually transforming from analogue to digital systems. He emphasized on quality training for personnel of all level to achieve high standard in aviation safety. He asked the investigators to find out the root-cause of each incident to stop recurrences.
The air chief urged all to take necessary preparation for upcoming “7th International Flight Safety Seminar” scheduled to be held from 18-20 October 2021 at Dhaka.
Also read: BAF holds air defence exercise
At last he applauded the noble objective of the 44th Command Safety Seminar for creating opportunity to share experiences for BAF professionals to strengthen the attachment and assistance in promoting flight safety.
Bangladesh Air Force Base Bir Shreshtho Matiur Rahman was awarded with “Inter-Base Flight Safety Trophy” and 11 Squadron, BAF was awarded with “Inter-Squadron Khademul Bashar Flight Safety Trophy” for achieving the highest safe flying hours in the year 2020.
Senior BAF officers and Airmen from Air HQ, BAF Bashar and BAF Bangabandhu were present on the occasion. Personnel from Other BAF Bases were present through Video Tele Conference.
13 trainee officers get BAF Flight Safety Officers' Course certificate
A 10-week Flight Safety Officers' Course of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) ended on Thursday with the distribution of certificates at Flight Safety Institute of BAF Base Bashar.
Air Force chief returns home from Sri Lanka
Chief of Air Staff of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat returned home from Sri Lanka on Monday by a C-130J aircraft of the BAF.
‘Will build our own fighter jets’: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday expressed a desire to build fighter jets in Bangladesh to protect its sovereignty.
Indian Air Force Chief in city to bolster ties
Indian Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria arrived here on Monday on a three-day visit at the invitation of Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat, the Chief of Air Staff, Bangladesh Air Force.
Time to assess what we’ve done for the people: President Hamid
President Abdul Hamid on Monday said the time has come to evaluate how much has been done or is being done for the welfare of the people of the country.
BAF Inter-base small arms firing competition concludes
Inter-Base Small Arms Firing Competition of Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) was concluded at BAF Base Paharkanchanpur here on Thursday.