Indian AF C-17 on approach at runway 27 of Schiphol airport
Since late April, numerous international military flights between Europe and India have been executed to provide additional medical aid in an urgent response to the Covid-19 outbreak. Indian Air Force with their C-17A Globemaster III’s of 81 squadron “Skylords” based at Hindon Air Force Station flew number of flights to ramp up the procurement process. One of the first was flight “IFC6721” of C-17 with serial CB-8009 to Hahn Airport (EDFH), Germany on 2 May. A day later, flights “IFC7121” (CB-8004) and “IFC7221” (CB-8001) flew to RAF Brize Norton (EGVN), UK. On 5 May, “IFC8821” (CB-8009) arrived at Oostend Airport (EBOS), Belgium. Three days later, Frankfurt Airport (EDDF), Germany was visited by flight “IFC8721” (CB-8003), while “IFC6621” (CB-8002) went to Bordeaux Airport (LFBD) in France. On 10 May, CB-8009 arrived at Schiphol Airport Amsterdam (EHAM), as flight “IFC1C21” and a day later CB-8003 came to Frankfurt Airport again, now as “IFC 1D21”. Oostend Airport was visited for the second time by CB-8001 as flight “IFC1E21” on 12 May. The majority of the Indian C-17 flights had probably a double crew, as most of the visits lasted no longer than four hours. Other military flights involved a German “Luftwaffe” Airbus A-350 with code 10+03 from Cologne Air Base on 29 April and two Airbus A-400M’s from LTG-62 unit at Wunstorf Air Base on 5 (54+05 as “GAF517”) and 6 May (54+30 as “GAF126”). On 11 May, a Royal Netherlands Air Force KDC-10, with serial number T-235, from 334 squadron at Eindhoven Air Base flew to New Dehli as “NAF40”. While the Indian C-17’s flew their flights to Europe non-stop, the foreign aid flights made a stop-over in Dubai. The medical aid focussed on oxygen provisions such as oxygen generating equipment, concentrators, cylinders and ventilators. Further shipments included other medical equipment, medicines and protective means like hospital wear and facemasks.
GAF/Luftwaffe Airbus A-400M from Wunstorf air base
European military Covid-19 Royal Netherlands AF KDC-10 from 334 Sqn at Eindhoven air base
Indian AF C-17 taking off from Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam
Indian AF C-17 taking off from Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam
Text and photos by Peter ten Berg