In July 2012, the Eastern Air Command (EAC), in a bid to woo visitors, has put up a MiG-27ML fighter aircraft at the entrance of the Advance Landing Ground (ALG) in Upper Shillong.The move is expected to attract tourists who pass by the EAC headquarters on their way to Cherrapunjee.
The aircraft was inaugurated by the Vice Chief, Air Marshal K K Nohwar during this visit to EAC in May 2012.
The MiG-27ML fighter bomber is the only aircraft on display in the entire North East replete with the full complement of missiles and bombs. These aircraft are still operational in the North East. The MiG-27ML displayed here has completed its full operational life after it was inducted as a frontline fighter aircraft in the 1980s, Air Force officials informed.
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TS598 seen from the starboard side. The aircraft has a central drop tank, two UB-32 rocket pods under the fuselage hardpoints and two Air to Ground Surface Missiles under the wing hardpoints. |
| Close up fo the forward fuselage on the port side. The aircraft rests on two concrete pedestals, the forward of which has details of the arrangement on a plaque. |
For convenience of the visitors, parking facilities have been earmarked near the aircraft viewing point besides photographs with the aircraft on display are also permitted. The aircraft (TS-598) has flown nearly 2,000 hours and was a part of the Kargil operations in 1999 and Operation Parakram (2001-03).
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Once seen during the Indo-US exercise of Cope India 2006, the aircraft must have been transported by truck/trailer to the HQ. |
| Head on view of the MiG-27 on the concrete pedestals – showing off the two ASGMs, and rocket pods. (Photo : Outlook Traveller) |  |
The EAC has also put on display several other venerable aircraft of the IAF at the entrance to its complex, which is also open to the general public.
These include the Hawker Hunter, Caribou, Iskra trainer aircraft and a Mi-4 helicopter of the yore.
There are also plans to add a few others aircraft including the DHC-3 Otter and HAL-built HJT-16, better known as the Kiran aircraft.
Read more at http://www.theshillongtimes.com/2012/07/05/air-force-puts-on-display-mig-27-fighter-aircraft/#oZVMqDtU52wzT05M.99
Photographs: Shillong Times, Unknown. Please contact me if these are your photographs, I will provide proper acknowledgement
