Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground
Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground is an Indian Air Force airstrip located at Mechuka in Shi Yomi district of Arunachal Pradesh, India.
IAF's Emergency landing strip ![]() Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground | |||||||||||
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Summary | |||||||||||
Airport type | Military | ||||||||||
Owner/Operator | Indian Air Force | ||||||||||
Location | Mechuka, Shi Yomi district, Arunachal Pradesh, India | ||||||||||
Coordinates | 28°36′10.3″N 94°07′29.5″E | ||||||||||
Runways | |||||||||||
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The airstrip is used frequently to bring in vital supplies from Assam via Antonov-32 aircraft and helicopters. The runway was renovated, strengthened, upgraded to a concrete runway and extended to 4,700 feet in 2017 by the government.
The area has a significant military presence, which also creates some employment opportunities for civilians. There is a twice-weekly helicopter service offered under the UDAN scheme on Monday and Saturday.[1] Government of Arunachal Pradesh has invited bids from the private airlines to operate a 9-searter fixed-wing air service which will not be under the UDAN scheme.[1] [2]
In June 2019, An Indian Air Force Plane carrying 13 en route from Jorhat Airport in Assam went missing while en route to the airstrip.[3] The aircraft's wreckage was found in the Siang district after eight days after being spotted by an MI 17 helicopter that was on a search & rescue mission.[4]
References
- Arunachal Pradesh plans fixed-wing flight service to Mechuka, closest to China border, The Hindu, 15 May 2018.
- UDAN reaches Arunachal Pradesh; first commercial flight flagged off
- Air Force Plane Carrying 13 Missing After Taking Off From Assam
- Missing An-32: Wreckage of aircraft found in Arunachal after 8 days, confirms Air Force