Hi, Im just an old navy veteran minding my own business and sitting under the shade of an old coconut tree at 0940 this morning in South Goa, sipping my coffee and keeping out of my wifes way, and trying to avoid all those contentious debates on Goanet as well, when I hear the scream of jets overhead and watch 2 fighter bombers overfly my house at low level. My eyes are still good enough to recognise them as SUPER ETENDARTS of the French Navy, based on the carrier CHARLES DE GAULLE, flying seaward, after a low level strike on Dabolim airport. Whats happenned to our Navy, because there should have been 2 Sea Harriers on their tails? Are they only playing Golf or football,or sitting on their backsides, as Churchill Alemao and all his pals have been saying to all the taxi drivers ,at all these *MOPA* public meetings all over South Goa ? Well, heres what I found out. The French carrier, which was 700 miles NE of Goa, the night before, made a high speed dash towards Goa during the night and launched 2 strikes of 4 aircraft this morning,to destroy the runaway at Dabolim at a range of 250 miles from Goa.. Our Kamov AWACS helicopter, which had been launched from the deck of one of our frigates operating off Goa earler in the morning, detected the incoming strike about 100 miles out of Goa, and 2 Sea Harriers , on CAP, were vectored to intercept, which they succesfully did. The French pilots were then permitted to have a close look at the Benaulim and Colva beach , on their outward leg , back to the CHARLES DE GAULLE.
Why do I write this? Three reasons-firstly, our Navy is the most powerful in the region, and one which is admired worldwide as being thoroughly professional. Secondly, we could never dream of seeing foreign fighter aircraft overflying our territory--we are now getting truly globalised, and India is taking its rightful place among the comity of nations. Lastly, as a Goan, Im proud that Goa is an important cog in our nations defence. regards, Gilbert Menezes. _____________________________________________ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list ([email protected]) Help/Unsubscribe/Update your Subscription: %(user_optionsurl)s This email sent to %(user_address)s
