Desi Top Guns

Back in NDA days, where inter-services bonhomie was being engendered in the crucible of India’s premier military training institution, we the ‘pongos’ generally teased the flyboys as theirs was “All air and no force!”. We were envious naturally, which 16 years old lad would not want to aspire to be a fighter pilot. Although Top Gun was yet to be unleashed on us by Hollywood, but flying did not need any endorsement by Tom Cruise, as it was supposed to be the ultimate urge of the homo sapiens, to take to the skies like birds and that too at those faster than sound machines, which looked oh so sexy. We the men in OGs had to be content with our SLR, the personal weapon, a Self-Loading Rifle 7.62 mm and our two dear feet to carry us everywhere. Then, why did I choose to remain on ground, rather than adorn the flying overalls and, as the motto goes for the Indian AirForce, Nabhah Sparsham Deeptam, excerpted from the Bhagwad-Gita, meaning “Touch the sky with Glory”.

We were the hardcore dyed in the wool Olive Greens, having been in awe of  Rimcollian Generals Thimayya, Bewoor, Bhagat, Candeth, two Chiefs and the other two Army Commanders, so we chose to remain grounded. By the time we passed out of the Academy, Tom Cruise as Maverick in his overalls, Aviator shades had literally captured the hearts of all the damsels, sending the stock of flyboys sky high.   Anyway, Air Force, did not need to prove anyone wrong by getting into any debates, their actions spoke for themselves. A professional service, with its meagre and austere resources has always come up trumps, trouncing the technologically superior aircrafts of our Western adversary, like the Sabre vs Gnats or F 16s vs MiG-21s.It was obvious that the man behind the machine, made all the difference.

The Indian Air Force has played a stellar role not only in the defence of India but even in in its fledgling avatar as the Royal Indian Air Force during the Second World War. Baba Mehar Singh’s landing in Leh is the stuff of legends, so were the landings in Sri Nagar on 27^th Oct 1948, when 12 Sqn became the saviour of the Valley by landing the 1 SIKH battalion led by Col Ranjit Rai, setting the stage for jointness in its true spirit. 1965 and 1971 saw the Indian Air Force come into its own by literally ruling the skies above, especially the Eastern Sector, where they established total air supremacy and it was the Tangail Paradrop on the 11^th and their bombing the Governor’s House on 14^th, which led to the final surrender by panic-stricken General Niazi and his 93000 troops. During Kargil, they bombed the Muntho-Dhalo Logistics Base, thereby aiding the onslaught by the ground forces and hastening the ultimate withdrawal by the infiltrators. During peacetime, their logistic support has been the lifeline of troops deployed in the high-altitude regions in Sia-Chen, Kargil as also in the winter cut off posts in Kashmir Valley and the North East.  They ensure that troops stationed in these areas are kept warm by providing k-oil, are fed, by ferrying rations and then the most important part of casualty evacuation is undertaken by the helicopter pilots even in treacherous weather and climatic conditions.

Sekhon, Keelor brothers, Ahuja, Abhinandan and their ilk have proven that when it comes to valour and sacrifices, they stand shoulder to shoulder with their sister services. Flyboys are always itching to take a go, and have provided the Indian Armed Forces, the strategic edge, which they have demonstrated amply by the Balakot strikes and the recent drubbing and decimation drive during OP SINDOOR. Not satisfied with conquering the skies, they have ventured into outer space as well, with Rakesh Sharma and the latest to join the bandwagon Shubhanshu Shukla, with many more to follow in their illustrious steps. Our pilots have proved they are second to none during exercises with friendly foreign countries and have proved to be the Top Guns in real life. On the occasion of the 93^rd Air Force Raising Day, I salute their pride and professionalism, may they continue to set the skies ablaze with glory always.