In an informal chat with mediapersons at the Southern Air Command headquarters at Aakkulam here, the Air Chief said that pilots were carrying out nearly 20 sorties a month now, in contrast to just six to seven sorties earlier. There had been a 27 per cent increase in flying on fighters alone, he added.

Over the last three years, the accident rate in the Air Force had been the lowest in 60 years. 1997-98 saw the least number of accidents, he said.

``I am leaving a very satisfied man. Most of the targets which I set out to achieve when I took over three years ago have been achieved. I find a sea change in the attitude of the staff. It is very refreshing,'' Sareen said.

``We were flying less earlier. For three to four years, we had a problem with spares. A single aeroplane will have anything up to 30,000 spare parts. The Air Force is into indigenisation in a big way and has produced various small spare parts. We will be on to bigger things in a short while,'' the Air Chief Marshal said.

Asked if he was happy with the funds earmarked for the Air Force, Sareen said, ``We have the government's total support. The systems which we acquire are very expensive. I must say that we have never been denied funds. There are such a lot of problems that it must be a real tough balancing act for the Finance Minister.''

``I would say that we are five time stronger than the adversary in the West (Pakistan). That is one main reason why they have not dared for an all-out attack and have been content with low intensity fights. Our dominance in the air is one major factor,'' Sareen said, when asked to compare the country's Air Force strength with that of its neighbours.

Memories of the agitation launched by the wives of Air Force technical staff, last year, still rankle in Sareen's mind and he made no attempt to hide it. ``We had a minor problem in November last year. It was all because of a few disgruntled elements. They however realised their stupidity soon. Everybody has bounced back with vigour during the last year. In fact, the total task output has increased by 50 per cent since,'' he said while addressing a gathering of Air Force men and civilians in the morning.

When the topic cropped up again during the chat with reporters, Sareen said, ``It all happened because a few people thought they could approach the Press and get things done. I got the bad name, when actually someone else, who did not move the file on time, should have got the flak.''

Asked if the general trend of the defence services not attracting youngsters applied to the air force too, the Air Chief Marshal replied in the negative. ``I should admit that the aspirations of today's youngsters are different. Youngsters now look at the pay scale first before taking up any job. The youth in the earlier days were different and aimed at getting into the uniform,'' he said.

As much as Rs 90 crore had been spent on housing of Air Force staff over the last three years, in contrast to Rs 18 crore over the last decade, the Chief of Air Staff said. In all, 7,000 dwelling units had been readied and the force would become self-sufficient in housing in three years. Cubicles are being provided for air staff who are single, he added.

When Sareen retires on December 31, he will also be taking home a record -- for the longest innings for any military person in the country. If one were to add the three years of training, the Air Chief Marshall would have spent 44 years and seven months of his life in the Air Force.