LIMA 2007 starts!

THE STAR December 04, 2007

Lima 2007 off to roaring start

LANGKAWI: The Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (Lima) 2007 Exhibition roared off to spectacular start as fighter jets seared the sky here with an awe-inspiring aerial display.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his wife Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah joined the large crowds witnessing the 90-minute long display that showcased several skilful aerobatic formations.

The Royal Air Force (RAF) Aerobatic team, popularly known as the Red Arrows, from Britain lived up to its name as nine display pilots streaked across the sky with their trademark manoeuvres.

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF)’s three-man MIG-29 fighter jet team from the 19th Squadron in Kuantan, Pahang also mesmerised the crowd with their precision tactical display.

A solo aerial display by an RMAF Sukhoi SU-30MKM jet displayed the aircraft’s agility, especially when the pilot manoeuvred it to scale sharply up 90 degrees and later dropped freely, making several circular spins.

Four RMAF F/A 18-D Hornet aircrafts also took part in a heart-stopping air-to-air refuelling exercise with a KC-130 Hercules air refueller aircraft.

Also taking part in the aerial display were four C-130 aircraft, four RMAF Hawks, two Nuris and two A-109 light observation helicopters.

While the airfield seizure exercise by the 10th Paratrooper Brigade from Malacca remained cancelled, nine paratroopers from the RMAF Special Forces’ commandos did a freefall from a CN 235 transport aircraft.

One of the 18 Sukhoi aircraft that the Malaysian government had recently bought were later officially handed over to Abdullah in a simple ceremony at the tarmac.

RMAF commanding officer Kol Suri Mohd Daud, from the 11th squadron in Gong Kedak, Trengganu gave a briefing when Abdullah and Jeanne took a short tour of the aircraft.

THE STAR