The Indian Air Force (IAF) completed a 23-hour, 14,000-km transoceanic humanitarian mission to earthquake-hit Venezuela, delivering 66 tonnes of relief material under Operation Amistad, officials said on Sunday.
The mission involved two heavy-lift C-17 Globemaster III aircraft that departed from Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad on June 26 and landed at Maiquetía International Airport in Caracas. The aircraft transported an Indian Army Field Hospital, over 35 tonnes of relief supplies, medicines and critical medical equipment.
Among the specialised aid were two BHISHM Cubes, modular field hospital units designed for rapid deployment, capable of providing trauma care, emergency surgeries and intensive care support for up to 200 patients in disaster-hit areas.
“Responding with speed, reach and compassion, two Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft completed a demanding 23-hour flight to Venezuela, covering an aerial distance of over 14,000 km from Delhi to Caracas,” the IAF said, highlighting the strategic depth of the mission.
Also read: Indian Army’s portable field hospital to be deployed in Venezuela
Air Force officials said the aircraft flew westwards over the Middle East and parts of North Africa, with a refuelling halt in Ivory Coast, before crossing the Atlantic Ocean towards South America. The route was chosen to avoid significantly longer distances that would have been required if flown eastwards over the Pacific.
Venezuela, located on the northern coast of South America, has no direct commercial air connectivity with India. Travellers typically route through Europe or West Asia, underscoring the complexity of the IAF’s intercontinental operation.
The mission underlined India’s growing role as a first responder in global humanitarian crises. The aircraft’s deployment also showcased the IAF’s strategic airlift capability and long-range operational reach.
The C-17 fleet, inducted into the IAF in 2013, operates under No. 81 Squadron “The Skylords” based at Hindon. With a payload capacity of about 77 tonnes, the aircraft has been extensively used in humanitarian assistance, disaster relief missions and strategic military logistics.
Over the years, C-17s have supported operations ranging from high-altitude deployments in Ladakh to international exercises and emergency relief missions both within India and abroad.
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