Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Oct 16: A joint scuba diving expedition by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Coast Guard concluded in Goa on Wednesday, showcasing strong inter-service collaboration and a shared commitment to marine conservation
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The week-long mission, titled “Forging Bonds Beneath the Waves,” was ceremonially flagged in by Air Vice Marshal Manish Khullar, ACAS (Org & Cer), marking the successful completion of the venture.

Flagged off on October 8 by DIG Manoj Bhatia, Commander of the Coast Guard Goa Area, the expedition comprised 20 divers — 10 each from the IAF and Coast Guard — aboard ICGS Sujeet. The team conducted dives at Angria Bank, a biologically diverse underwater plateau and sunken coral atoll located about 70 nautical miles west of Vijaydurg, Maharashtra. The site is named after the legendary Maratha naval commander Kanhoji Angre.

The expedition aimed to enhance interoperability, refine joint diving procedures, and promote mutual understanding between the two services. A symbolic underwater flag-in ceremony was also held, reaffirming the forces’ shared dedication to protecting marine ecosystems and fostering inter-service cooperation.