Pune: On the eve of Republic Day, Lieutenant General DR Soni, Southern Army Commander, set the highest standards of 'jointmanship' by flying an Indian Air Force's frontline fighter aircraft Sukhoi Su-30 MKI from Air Force Station, Pune, on Thursday.

The 45-minute long sortie piloted by Wing Commander Tarun Gupta flew up to an altitude of 8,000 metres, covering large tracts of the Southern Command area of responsibility including areas where exercises on the ground by troops and tanks were being carried out.

General Soni has always maintained that wars can only be won with ultimate synergy between the three services of our Armed Forces. The Army Commander also took this opportunity to wish the countrymen a very happy 69th Republic Day.