The Indian Coast Guard on 4 May commissioned its second Air Squadron, 845 Squadron (CG), at the Coast Guard Air Enclave at Nedumbassery in Kochi.
The new Air Squadron, commissioned by Coast Guard Director General V S Pathania, is equipped with the indigenously developed Advanced Mark III (ALH Mark III) helicopters.
The commissioning marks a tremendous leap towards self-reliance in the field of search and rescue operations and long-range maritime surveillance. Four helicopters have been positioned in Kochi to cover the entire coast of Karnataka, Kerala and Lakshadweep. The Squadron, led by Commandant Kunal Naik has nine officers and 35 men.
The Indian Coast Guard
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is a maritime law enforcement and search and rescue agency of India with jurisdiction over its territorial waters including its contiguous zone and exclusive economic zone. The Indian Coast Guard was formally established on 1 February 1977 by the Coast Guard Act, 1978 of the Parliament of India. It operates under the Ministry of Defence.
The Coast Guard works in close cooperation with the Indian Navy, the Department of Fisheries, the Department of Revenue (Customs) and the Central and State police forces.